Thomas Rauscher

Specialized in Design.

Thomas Rauscher

About Thomas Rauscher

TpunktR can best be described by its aim: designing means developing and altering things we know or use. But it also means creating things we do not know or use. From both perspectives the initial spark to do so is the will of grasping the world and the things that surround us not as finished or determined by trends, but more as a state, that alters continuously. Hence the main aim of TpunktR is innovation, increasing the amount of choices apart from the known.

  • Winner of the A' Design Award.
  • Specialized in Design.
  • Original Design.
  • Creative, Diligent and Innovative.
  • All Designs

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Interview with Thomas Rauscher

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?
Being a designer / artist is in best case some kind of freeing yourself from common boundaries like trends or standards. This search for freedom was the initial spark to become a designer, even knowing it might become hard to earn money with it.
Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
Paul Arden once said something, that is true - "If you can´t solve a problem, it is because you´re playing by the rules". Products can be seen as problems, too. So the crucial aspect in the design process is to find the rules and breaking them.
What kinds of works do you like designing most?
There are no preferences. Ok - as a carpenter and interior designer I have a strong connection to furniture design. But in the end it´s all about creativity and ideas. Based on this it does not matter if you design a chair or a website, only the knowledge needed to do so differs.
What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
Might sound funny - the human brain. It grants us experiencing, understanding and challenging the world. So to say - the mother of all design.
When do you feel the most creative?
On one hand when having freed my mind from stress and daily obstacles. On the other hand - when not thinking about design - sitting on a chair or standing in the kitchen (as example) and just starring around with your mind going no - and anywhere.
What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
The full scope - from being sad and doubting myself to being the happiest person in the world.
What makes a design successful?
When it gives an alternative, hence success is defined by the idea, not by numbers of sold products.
From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
Again - might sound funny - making the world a better place and offering solutions to problems that might change the way we ss things
How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
I know this will provoke, but I am deeply convinced, that in a not too distant future computer / machines will also become creative. Why? Because our brain is limited - we do not see all options when designing. Programs might access a much greater database and algorithms to convert data into ideas.
Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
I almost keep it like Andy Warhol " I never read, I just look at pictures".
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 Germany. But I would not be able to define what German design would be and why I fit into this or why I do not fit. I think the most important aspect is the freedom this country grants to creative people.
How do you work with companies?
It is like a good relationship - knowing / respecting the needs of the company and showing possibilities.
What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
Consider even ideas, that might seem absurd right now - they might have a spark to change your company successfully.
Can you talk a little about your design process?
I have no defined process designing thing - only a favorite feeling - the best ideas come with "Heureka". It means that the creation of the idea is a feeling of surprise in a positive way.
What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
an old chair for children (where I sit on and think of nothing), Puppy by Magis (that gives me a smile everytime I look at it), Hoyoyo (Print of Takashi Murakami, also giving me smile and reminding me of Los Angeles), all my books on art, Art Pen by Rotring - my favorite pen for sketching.
Can you describe a day in your life?
There are basically only corner stones like getting up early and going to bed late. Everything in between depends on the day, like assignments, creative flow, and so on.
Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
Again a quote - Paul Arden "Astonish Me!" You can substitute me with yourself, your client or the user. It is crucial never to give up looking for this moment of astonishment - this is more important than becoming famous as it gives you a satisfaction money or fame cannot buy.
From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
The most positive aspect is freeing yourself from limits or standards and following your own thoughts. The most negative one comes from the positive one - by not coping with standards your success is limited as mayor companies might not have interest in you.
What is your "golden rule" in design?
There is a different way to use / manufacture a product - find it!
What skills are most important for a designer?
questioning the world of products and the way we commonly use them
Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
First of all - the aim (what do I want to design), sometimes a chart of aspects of product to design, for inspiration books / internet for inspiration, a sketch book and a pen, much time for staring into space. When having an initial idea worth following I use a 3D - Software (Cinema4D, AutoCAD) to visualize it or just go to my workshop and build a prototype.
Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
The management of time depends on the deadlines given or tasks to reach within a certain time. Hence there is no schedule that works everytime.
How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
There are two different approaches - designing for myself and designing for a company. The former - some ideas come up within short times, others take month or even years. As there are no time limits I do not need to force a solution and can think of it whenever I want to. The latter - always within the given timeline.
What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
It does not depend on the type of design - it is more the feeling having created something new, that astonishes me.
What are your future plans? What is next for you?
My next major project is bysomeone.com - an open platform for designer, manufacturer and user.
Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
www.bysomeone.com - the creative source. This network is my latest project. Its purpose is to share such ideas like the folding chair, including all necessary information so anyone can build it by himself / herself. Why giving away the ideas for free? Very simple - I did not find a company to produce it - shall I trash this idea in a drawer hidden from the world? I´m sure I am not the only one having such ideas. Hence this platform is open for all creative to join in and share their works.

Extended Interview with Thomas Rauscher

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
After school I became a cabinetmaker to learn the basics of furniture. After having worked as a cabinetmaker for some years I studied Interior dDsign to get a greater picture of designing itself.
How did you become a designer?
To have a job based on freedom and questioning the world, as well as satisfying clients.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
I started with furniture. But when dealing with the creative process itself I realized, that it does not depend so much on the type but more on the idea itself. Hence creativity is the essence to follow.
What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?
A good designer is successful and earns much money - a great designer does not have to, he / she follows his / her own aims.
What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
Definitely not the numbers of sold products, it is the quality and conversion of the idea behind the design.
You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?
The value of good design is to increase the amount of options and solutions for problems.
What is your day to day look like?
With my latest project www.bysomeone.com I try to come a step closer to the what and who - designing whatever comes to my mind and handing these ideas to anyone who likes to use them.
How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?
Two publications on the theory of creativity - how to find more needles in haystacks than you expect.
How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?
"There must be another solution to the problem than I know right now - find it!"
How do you decide if your design is ready?
This is quite difficult to answer, I have a strong connection to minimalism, design reduced to a bare essence. This does not mean having a person as an archetype but more of a direction.
What is your biggest design work?
Basically I like all designs that reduce its idea to a bare minimum.
Who is your favourite designer?
Right now it is my latest project bysomeone.com as it changes the way of dealing with ideas and connecting creatives with local manufacturers and potential users worldwide.
Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?
Following your ideas, not listening to people telling you the world works in this or that way.

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