dipl. Ing Zuzana Mantel

Interview with dipl. Ing Zuzana Mantel

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've been drawing for as long as I can remember. I graduated from a secondary technical school of construction engineering and after that I studied at a technical university - industrial design. Study all your life.

Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?

I specialize in making mosaics, oil painting and visual communication in new media.

What is "design" for you?

Design is part of life, need for aesthetic property in our life. "We are created to enjoy beauty, The beauty we create for life."

What kinds of works do you like designing most?

I like to design things what improve not only technical property but also aesthetic appear.

What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?

Right now my last one "Little Star" - glass mosaics light object, what I signet-up for A'design Award&Competition.

How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?

I think there is diversity in between unification and individuality.

When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?

Last exhibition was 2015 at Paris, France - Carrrousel du Louvre Salon Art Shopping 17th edition, next exhibition is In april 2016 at ArtExpo 2016 New York, NYC, USA

Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?

paint light and color, emotion and vibration. I use color as form to create space. I'm interested in philosophy, numerology, symbolism, life-philosophy, religion and culture. My creation is directed by natural and humans forms. I create with love.

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 Prague, Czech Republic and I m surrounded by cultural heritage.

What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?

Cooperation and placability. Companies can select a good designer by needs what they expect from design.

Can you describe a day in your life?

I wake up, study new ideas, technology I look for inspiration. Make a basic day agenda. Continue create on running projects.

From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?

Positive thing - we can see to the future, negative thing is that society sometime don't see and think about future.

Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?

pencil, notebook, computer, programs from Adobe, internet, cutters, brush, colors, electric tools, material, glue, tool box, library

Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?

It is individual, when project is with customer specifications and with a time limit, I finish by the rules. When I create for myself I set to myself some a time plan a goals what I want achieve.

What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?

I enjoy to create decorative and applicable design items for interior.

Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?

I have another item in working progress and I m developing cooperation with a Lightning company.

Extended Interview with dipl. Ing Zuzana Mantel

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

I decided to be a designer. We did some creativity test on a chair at school. After creating it, my professor suggested I try industrial design exams. So I did.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

What also interested me. Furniture, interior, clothing, jewelry, glass, industrial products, graphics.

What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?

Have an open mind and an open heart. Collaboration and support is the main key to realizing ideas.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

Le Corbusier, Leonardo da Vinci, Zaha Hadid, Elsa Schiaparelli, Antoni Gaudi, Philippe Starck