Design Legend Interview
26 Froen
I have always known i wanted to pursue a career in the creative world since I was a child. It was during High school that I began to fall in love with Architecture after reading books on Architects like Frank Lloyd…
Could you please tell us a bit about your design background and education?
I have always known i wanted to pursue a career in the creative world since I was a child. It was during High school that I began to fall in love with Architecture after reading books on Architects like Frank Lloyd Wright and Sir Arthur Erickson. I then enrolled in the Fine Arts program at the local University to help build up a portfolio to enter the Masters program of Architecture. It was during one of my sculpture classes where the professor taught us that Furniture can be functional Art. That was when I knew I wanted to design furniture, and began doing so in that class and still love to do so now, after 16 years.
What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?
I've always love to draw and design since I was about 3, Its something I've always been good at and love to do.
Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?
chose to.
What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?
I mostly design furniture right now, and a bit of graphics design, as well as interiors. I would love to be able to design cars, motorcycles and architectures.
What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?
They should follow their dreams and work then work as hard as they can to get there.
What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?
A good designer designs with their client in mind, but a great designer designs with their heart and is true to the core concepts and philosophies.
What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?
I'd love to try designing cars, motor bikes, buildings, and would especially love to try designing clothes or other products for Renzo Rosso.
Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?
I'm inspired by legends like, Frank Lloyd Wright, Sir Arthur Erickson, and Massimo Tamborini.
What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?
I think one of my greatest designs was an armchair called the Moon Chair, and the greatest aspects of it was its contours, the carbon fibre arms, hand crafted leathers, but most of all the undiluted and purity of the design. There was no limits by price, cost, or target audiences, just pure design.
If you hadn't become a designer, what would you have done?
An architect, or a blacksmith or a fabricator, I like to make things.
Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?
Timothy Oulton, he was the first one to hire me straight out of University.
What helped you to become a great designer?
Lots of opportunities, opportunities to see the world, to attend many shows which opened by eyes, and the opportunities to explore and try new designs.
What were the obstacles you faced before becoming a design master?
i think the biggest obstacle would be at the beginning when no one would give me a chance to prove myself. No one would hire me because I had no experience.
How does design help create a better society?
I think design is tightly linked with everyones way of life, it also is a great way for different countries to reach out and express their cultures through design. Its almost like a universal language.
What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?
I am currently working on a Limited edition desk, hand formed, welded, then polished from stainless steel. There will only be 10 produced.
Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?
That would have to be the ones where there are no limits, because thats how Design should be.
What would you like to see changed in design industry in the coming years?
I'd like to see more protection against designs being copied and reproduced, it seems almost inevitable that if there is a great design now, that it will be copied almost instantly.
When you see a new great design or product what comes into your mind?
The first thing would be "who designed it?" and then "how can I do better?"
Who is your ideal design partner? Do you believe in co-design?
I believe co design is sometimes beneficial for certain projects, you can bounce ideas around. But for pure design i think its better to work alone, at least for myself it is.
Which people you interacted had the most influence on your design?
My boss, Timothy Oulton.
Which books you read had the most effect on your design?
There was a book I read when I was a kid about the brand "DIESEL" and their design philosophy, after reading it, i fell in love with the brand and their design philosophy of never do something that someone else has done already.
How did you develop your skills as a master designer?
Practice, and constantly learning.
Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?
Probably Einstein,
What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?
Favorite Brand is Diesel, favorite color is Black, favourite place is Japan, and Favourite season is Winter.
What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?
Some days from the moment I wake up, my mind if flooded with ideas, and I grab a cup of coffee and start sketching, those are great days.
When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?
I think so, I couldn't stop sketching things, and I was always drawn to great designs already.
