Interviewe mat Jara Freund

I started studying industrial design at the University of Applied Science Darmstadt in 2014. After two years of studying in Darmstadt, I did an Erasmus semester in Belgium and decided to stay. I am now in my last year and will graduate in June 2018 with a Bachelor of Industrial Design from the University of Applied Science Howest in Kortrijk. Due to studying at two different universities in different countries, I feel, I experienced the best of both education systems.

I definitely chose to become a designer. However, it was an coincident that I even found out that this kind of profession exists. I was planning on studying architecture but then did an internship some-when during my last High school years at the design department of Braun. I learned how to sketch and got a look at the process of developing a product. I was totally fascinated and started studying industrial design at the University of Applied Science Darmstadt.

I am still a very young designer but striving to become a design legend one day. What I learned so far: be active and don’t wait for opportunities to find you, but create them yourself.

So far, I always had deadlines that were due after a semester or even earlier. IMNU was the first project I still worked on even after the deadline had passed. Now, one and a half years later, I can almost call the project finished. Improvement is always possible and a never-ending process.

I start with really getting to know the product, online-research and/or analyzing different products that are on the market already. Through sketching, I produce as much irritations as possible. Mostly, I then have a sketch towards I tend the most and start over again brainstorming for iterations. I build the first ideas, then prototypes, then testing and go back because something does not work yet, so I adjust. That way, I slowly define the whole product and its details.

Find balance.

Technology is a great medium to enhance my design process. I am a big fan of my 3D-printer. It is a great way to explore forms and make quick prototypes. That way, I get to hold the tangible product-to-be, which clears all doubts and questions I earlier had looking at the 3D-model on my screen. Being able to test ideas quickly and discover what doesn’t work accelerates discovery leading to an ideal solution.

My laptop is my work tool number one. I work with 3D modeling softwares such as Siemens NX or Rhinoceros. I like using Keyshot to visualize my work and use the Adobe Creative Cloud likewise very often. I enjoy sketching and quick prototyping. Furthermore, I make use of a 3D printer which speeds up my design process immensely. In a relatively short time, an idea, concept, dream or invention can go from a simple thought to a produced part.

Best case: Nothing. It should be clear and understandable to everyone.

Dark blue might be my favourite color but this also depends on the objects themselves.

The Alps are a place where I enjoy being in summer as well as in winter. I love Korean food and my favourite season is spring on the edge of summer when everyone is just happy to enjoy the sun for the first time of the year.

As a child I was already very much into building things and a fan of DIY. For instance, I created shoes out of aluminum foil and other materials and got a tool box from my parents for my 5th birthday.

It was an coincident that I even found out that this kind of profession exists. I was planning on studying architecture but then did an internship some-when during my last High school years at the design department of Braun. I learned how to sketch and got a look at the process of developing a product. I was totally fascinated and started studying industrial design at the University of Applied Science Darmstadt. After two years of studying in Darmstadt, I did an Erasmus semester in Belgium and decided to stay. I am now in my last year and will graduate in June 2018 with a Bachelor of Industrial Design from the University of Applied Science Howest in Kortrijk.

I do not work in a company or design studio yet.

As an industrial designer I want to give people more joy in products and make them special in use and appearance. I like to work on solutions for new products that are innovative, practical and suitable for production. It should strive to be an experience and deliver more than what’s expected.

Things that surround us in everyday life. That we almost forget

I am a big fan of my 3D-printer. It is a great way to explore forms and make quick prototypes. That way, I get to hold the tangible product-to-be, which clears all doubts and questions I earlier had looking at the 3D-model on my screen. Being able to test ideas quickly and discover what doesn’t work accelerates discovery leading to an ideal solution.

When I am returning from a trip, exhibition or fair. Even taking a walk around the neighborhood, looking at my surroundings in detail, gives me a lot of inspiration and starts my imagination. Traveling and new impressions from other countries are also very important for my creativity. Seeing new cities and experiencing the different architecture and culture, is a real creativity boost.

Work on how we can do better for the environment and people, optimize existing products and reduce our negative impact.

My last exhibition was in Milano, displaying IMNU. I also enjoyed exhibiting IMNU at the Ambiente in Frankfurt.

As earlier mentioned, I love to travel, going to fairs, exploring new things and just havening an open eye walking through my cities and landscapes. Everyday life is therefore one of my biggest sources for inspiration. In addition, I like scrolling through different scientific or creative platforms and follow other designers on social media.

I start with really getting to know the product, online-research and/or analyzing different products that are on the market already. Through sketching, I produce as much irritations as possible. Mostly, I then have a sketch towards I tend the most and start over again brainstorming for iterations. I build the first ideas, then prototypes, then testing and go back because something does not work yet, so I adjust. That way, I slowly define the whole product and its details.

I am one of them, and I love to hear some advise ;)

Designers are like modern inventor and therefore can have a great influence on the future. I enjoy being creative and love thinking about the things that surround us. There are so many new possibilities with our technologies and we as industrial designers can in some way determine how we experience and see our world.A disadvantage as a designer might be that there is no off-switch and I never really stop working because I am constantly thinking about projects I am busy with.

Simplicity and clarity lead to good design.

I think curiosity might be one of the most important soft skill to have as a designer. Observing, researching, testing and seeing different ways of usage is the basis of a design process and can lead to a well designed product.

My laptop is my work tool number one. I work with 3D modeling softwares such as Siemens NX or Rhinoceros. I like using Keyshot to visualize my work and use the Adobe Creative Cloud likewise very often. I enjoy sketching and quick prototyping. Furthermore, I make use of a 3D printer which speeds up my design process immensely. In a relatively short time, an idea, concept, dream or invention can go from a simple thought to a produced part.

So far, I always had deadlines that were due after a semester or even earlier. IMNU was the first project I still worked on even after the deadline had passed. Now, one and a half years later, I can almost call the project finished. Improvement is always possible and a never-ending process.

I gained great knowledge during my internships and am looking forward to soon start my first job.

I will graduate this year, so I am looking for interesting positions to work in and to gain more experience. Additionally, I am working on bring some of my products to the market including IMNU.

Half half. Half of the time I work together with colleagues from university on common projects and the rest of the time I spend working on my own projects.

You can contact me via email or my social accounts which are also linked to my website.