Designer Interview
37 Froen
I am a trained Architect. my family has a rich architectural heritage, (my father in particular) which I had always been influenced by.
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?
I am a trained Architect. my family has a rich architectural heritage, (my father in particular) which I had always been influenced by.
Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
Our company is 30 years old and is a culmination of design efforts including architecture, interiors, urban design, and product design.
What is "design" for you?
Design is both the emotive and practical. Design in broad terms raise the quality of experiences and enhances our daily lives. History has shown our quest towards these pursuits rewards those who seek it.
What kinds of works do you like designing most?
I like a design challenge and therefore look to all fields of that endeavor. The broader the spectrum the more interwoven the disciplines.
What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
The beauty of design is there is no singular favorite or best of anything.
What was the first thing you designed for a company?
A Plexiglas calendar.
What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
Favorite is too limiting. I allow all materials to seek their influence.
Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
All aspects. A strong concept can only be realized with appropriate application of process.
What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
Design involves a range of emotion from struggle to fruition.
What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
A grand sense of pride and relief.
What makes a design successful?
If it is able to capture the imagination of people outside your own sphere and serves a useful function, from advancing an oblique theory to practical usage.
When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
What does it feel like in your gut.
From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
Make the most of the task and materials at hand. As resources dwindle, each design takes on more importance for its existence.
How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
The design field is in a technology driven era with the use of new tools and applications. We should not be totally captivated by that but blend it into our work.
When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
My last exhibition was at the Haywood Gallery, London; (Royal Institute of British Architects).
Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
Design inspirations are everywhere and not confined to the traditional trajectory.
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?
Style varies per design.
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?
Boston, MA/USA
How do you work with companies?
We look to collaboration as a vital ingredient.
What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
Don't always look to those with vast resumes in the field. There is talent in excess ready to explore and design. Team them up.
Can you talk a little about your design process?
Be diligent and persistent.
Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
Don't ever forget to actually draw.
From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
Keep your perspective, do your best and with luck and determination, good will follow.
What is your "golden rule" in design?
Always be curious.
What skills are most important for a designer?
An open mind.
Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
I primarily draw and use computer assistance to enhance.
Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
One must be prepared to work late.
How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
Scheduled time allocators must be met, but bear in mind no design is ever complete, the end is ongoing.
What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
What will this cost.
What was your most important job experience?
All job experiences are cumulative, one learns from the blending and evolution of these experiences.
Who are some of your clients?
SELECTED LIST
Aquavit Inc.
Back Bay Restaurant Group
Beacon Companies
Bluechip Properties
Boca Resorts
Boston University
Callaghan and Partners
Carpenter and Company
Children's Hospital
Cohen Properties
Corcoran, Mullins, Jennison
Coventry Hotels
The Cordish Company
Creative Inns
Cumberland Farms
Delaware North Company
Digital Equipment Corporation
Equiventure Hospitality
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
Farnsworth Museum IFoundation
FelCor Lodging Trust
Fisher Hotels
Flagship Hotels
Forest City Enterprises
GEM Holdings
Glen Eagles IDevelopment Co.
Great Bay Holdings
Green Mountain Design
GS Development
Guiness Corporation
Hilton Hotel Corporation
Holiday Inns International
Horizon Hotels
Huizinga Holdings
Hyatt Hotel Corporation
Intercontinental Real Estate Corp.
International UFO Muesum IResearch Center
Innova Hotels
Interstate Hotels Corporation
JPA Management
Kush Hotels
Laurance Rockefeller Trust !Woodstock VT
Le Meridian Hotels and Resorts
Marriott Hotel and Resorts
Mark of the Unicorn
Mass. Mutual Life Insurance
Metroplitan Properties of America
Modem Continental
Morgan Stanley
Natuzzi
New Castle Hotel Corpcration
Oak Point Development
O'Callaghan Hotels
Omni International Hotels Co.
Orvis
Oliver Twist, Inc.
Plus Design International
Radisson International Hotels
Ramada
Reebok International
Regent International Hotels
Rock Resorts
Rockport International
Sage Hotels
Sheraton Corporation
SS Untted States Conservancy
Starwood Hotels
SI. James Development
Swissotel Hotels and Resorts
Tage Inn
Tishman Construction
The Trump Organization
Universal Studios I MCA
USQUE Designs
The Webb Companies
Wyndham Hotel Group
What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
I enjoy the projects that allow you to stretch the norms of a category.
What are your future plans? What is next for you?
We are working on two new yachts and a range of architectural and master planning projects.
Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
Both. Seeing a strong concept is paramount.
Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
Not at this time.
How can people contact you?
Schopfer Associates, LLC. / Schopfer Yachts,
400 Commonwealth Ave, Boston MA 02215, USA, info@schopferassociates.com
Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
I think we've covered the basics.
