디자이너 인터뷰
40 질문
Well, I wanted to be a pilot, but when I visited the design school during the students final projects stage and presentation I fell in love, with the enviroment and the mood of all those designers working, thinking and…
Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
Well, I wanted to be a pilot, but when I visited the design school during the students final projects stage and presentation I fell in love, with the enviroment and the mood of all those designers working, thinking and creating. Besides I realized the trascendency designers have in the society....
Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
My partners and I come from different backgrounds, but friends and (we like to think) destiny, played for us to meet. After that everything was easy.When you agree in thoughts, vision and experience, in matters of life, arts and design, there is nothing to do, but embrace it.
What is "design" for you?
Design could be anything and its concecuences can be perceived, so I like to think about design through its diferent faces. Sometimes I think about it as a science like antropology, you'll feel like an engineer some other, like kid, artist, even as a magician. I guess I have all my life to figure it out what design is doing design.
What kinds of works do you like designing most?
We like to work on projects we know nothing about, that kind that make you learn a lot of new processes, represent a lot of challenge, and let meet people and artisans. So there isn's a specific favorite.
What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
The butterfly chair without a doubt. It challenged us from the begining, take us to the limit in many ways and I'm sure it is the project which more time and dedication I've ever invested...
What was the first thing you designed for a company?
A point of purchase (P.O.P) for a mexican gourmet bread company.
What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
Wood and steel are my favorite, but anything natural that can be molded, carved or handcrafted.
When do you feel the most creative?
Meanwhile I'm drawing, chating with friends and at that time during the night when you are between asleep and awake..
Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
Harmony and the way to do it the most accurate to the original idea.
What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
All, even anger, the one that you feel when can't find the best solution. A peacefull feeling when I'm drawing, I get exited when find solutions and everything is matching and the images you create start to have substance and a great joy when you see it materializad.
What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
Joy, a great and deep joy when everything goes well and always a little scared about how people will receive it.
What makes a design successful?
Has to communicate something, the most powerfull the message the better, beautyness, be kind with the user and permanence.
When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
Relevance, I mean, does it worth it to be done? The relation with the user, message, materials and aesthetics.
From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
We have a lot of responsability, we need to be aware that our work can influence the point of view of people and the way of doing things, and it can also make the diference between filling the world with crap or creating things to last forever.
How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
Now, most of the products are about costs and massive production. I think in the near future there is going to be software able to “design” by itself, without human interaction. In the other hand, I believe that the care applied by humans to develop a concept and create feelings thought a piece will never be replicated.
When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
My last exhibition was in february 2013, in Guadalajara, Mexico and I would like my next exhibition to be held at Milan
Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
My inspiration comes from everywhere, from fellings, sensations, nature, apocalypse, jokes, music, people, culture, even facebook.
How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
I don't believe much in Style, because styles, come and go very fast. I like to think more about a design methodology, maybe with time, this will reflect on something that people recognize like a constant.
Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
I live in Guadalajara, that's where Tequila, Mariachi, and many famous things of Mexico were borned, so definitely it influenced me. The mayor pro I think, would be we have lower production costs, how ever it is very difficult to find qualified suppliers.
How do you work with companies?
We always try to build a cooperation relationship based on royalties, that way we both comprimise and work in the same way.
What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
I think companies should first have very clear what their needs are, and then try to look for a designer that follows the same vision and values of the company, by taking a look to the portfolio and resume.
Can you talk a little about your design process?
After drawing concept, I show it to my partners and if they believe it is powerful enough we continue the development.
What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
The bread toaster, the teapot, the dinning chairs, the dinning table, the bathtub.
Can you describe a day in your life?
I wake up at 6:30 am, after taking a breakfast with my family, I take kids to school, and teach some hours at a local University, then I do some administrative work, check production, etc, mostly is at night, when everything is calmed, that I do the creative work.
Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
Read, listento music, be sensible to people's needs, talk to them, experience new things and share your projects so others can help. Never loose hope, and learn from mistakes, be patient and constant.
From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
Some good things are the felling of positively influencing or changing peoples life, the being able to establish a dialog without their notice, the posibility of always have different kind of proyects, and fact that we can learn a lot of new things from each new challenge.
A negative thing of being designer is the fact that sometimes people don't understand our work, and what it takes to
What is your "golden rule" in design?
be honest
What skills are most important for a designer?
The ability to learn new things, to adapt to new circumstances; sketching and oral communication; the ability to materialize its ideas and undestand clients needs.
Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
Music, paper, markers, pencils, sketching book.
Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
Im still try to find the best way!
How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
It depends on the object.
What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
what is your source of inspiration
What was your most important job experience?
The lost of my old company and realizing that I had to move over, because I had nothing and at the same time I had the opportunity to do anithing. The creation of a new company.
Who are some of your clients?
Lou Reed
Dip Casa
Intertrade
LMC NY
Horus Bronze
What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
The one's that represent real challenges
What are your future plans? What is next for you?
Keep on promoting my company and creating new pieces.
Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
I work as a team.
Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
A brand new collection inspired in mexican culture.
How can people contact you?
By email santo@santojeanya.com
Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
no thank you very much!
