Nimrod Riccardo Sapir

Since I can remember, I have been creating things; I was a fanatical LEGO builder from the age of 3 and built my own toys out of wood. From an early age I was fixing my parents’ electrical appliances (eg: record players, food mixers etc.). When I was 14 I met a friend of my parents who was a graphic designer. I was very inspired by his work and from that time on I knew I wanted to be a designer, although of what type I still wasn’t sure. When I was 22 my good friend started to study Industrial Design. When I looked into it I realized that this was the type of designer I wanted to be. The fit was perfect and I have loved this profession since then.

Today I am a part of a company which I founded, that produces micro-mobility solutions. I design all the products, accessories and marketing material. We have an R&D team in Ningbo, China that is responsible for transforming my design concepts into real products.

Design for me is creating a new world from an idea. As new technologies emerge they bring to possibility new functions. I see the designer’s role as shaping available technology into structures and forms that meet people’s ever-growing needs and demands. My job is to present these ideas as products which are immediately understood and desired by the potential audience.

In general I am drawn to the challenges of presenting products with wheels, with a particular focus on micro personal mobility.

It varies from time to time. During my studies I greatly admired the designs of Luigi Colani. When I first saw the huge billboard ads for the then new Audi TT I was blown away. Similarly for Apple products.

In my 2nd year of design studies (1989) I was challenged to design something for a company which created steel profiles. I was fascinated by the 40*20 steel profile and designed a piece of furniture, 2 meters high, combining bent cut and weld profile with steel cables, together with glass shelves. The product was perhaps too breakthrough at the time and the company did not adopt it. I sold the design (cheaply) to a furniture designer’s chain store. It was their flag product for a few years and it was named after me: the Nimrod Stand.

I like using aluminum in its different forms and shapes of which there are many: 1) high pressure molding 2) low pressure molding/gravity 3) forging 4) extrusion Mainly I like to use extrusion if possible. It allows relatively low cost production with the added bonus of thin and strong material.

When I draw my first rough sketches of a new concept in my notebooks, or when I find a solution to any kind of technical problem.

When judging a design, I look first at the triangle combination of: Production, Function and User Benefits. If they all meet more or less equally I endorse the design. If I see it requires excess effort of manufacturing, or, the other way around, if the engineering is sound and viable but aesthetics and user experience are poor, I reject the design. I am not sure I have answered this question correctly, but these are the thoughts that it provoked in me.

Regarding the environment, I actually live in a big conflict as I see myself as an environmentalist. However, industrial design is about promoting the industry and consumption. The least I can do is to think of products which have a long life span. Also, to try and see how to reduce waste during the manufacturing process.

It’s a difficult to predict but I would like to see a platform over which many products can use almost the same manufacturing package. The details and the differences of the product would be only graphics that could be print or signs on the product to differentiate. Imagine if all home routers would be the same. There would be no need for extra molds.

Be modest Prove yourselves by actions, not words Do not take yourself for granted Learn

My childhood education was totally normal. I was a slow learner and didn't really fit in the system. Since I can remember, I have been creating things; I was a fanatical LEGO builder from the age of 3 and built my own toys out of wood. From an early age I was fixing my parents’ electrical appliances (eg: record players, food mixers etc.). When I was 14 I met a friend of my parents who was a graphic designer. I was very inspired by his work and from that time on I knew I wanted to be a designer, although of what type I still wasn’t sure. When I was 22 my good friend started to study Industrial Design. When I looked into it I realized that I didn't really find an interest in other degrees. That this was the type of designer I wanted to be. This led me to do a degree in Industrial Design in HIT Israel. In 2009 when I initiated my start up MYWAY (INOKIM), I was actually involved in so many fields that I considered doing the following degrees; business, economy, export and shipping etc. but I was always overstretched and never found the time or a deep interest.

I love creation and I like to have my interpretation of objects, products and functions. Together with this I needed an income. So what could be better than combining these together?

Obviously I chose to become a designer. This occupation fits me like a glove. I love creation and I like to have my interpretation of objects, products and functions.

A great designer is one who surprises and gets unexpected results from his commissioner especially if he gains additional benefits which were not set out in the first place i.e. he does above and beyond the commission. In addition, there are many other approvals for being a great designer e.g. the commercial success of the product he designed, being accredited and mentioned in relevant material, winning awards and mainly making a change with the products you designed.

When a designer can explain every detail of his design verbally; what was the reason for this detail, line etc. so that every detail has a purpose, this disguishes it as a really good design

Exactly like the question itself, design is an investment. The more you invest, the more you get and the only limit should be the timetable and time to market. Of course you should know how to manage time and invest it well.

Every task from big to small has it's own challenges. I cannot think of anything in particular that I would like to design. I definitely do not think that designing a new car is more interesting than designing new earphones.

I think designing my electric scooters is to me, realizing my personal dream. Seeing them used globally, seeing the brand noted and tagged as well as copied, what else could I ask for?

During my first years of study in the early 80's, I fell in love with Luigi Colani. Later I found Ron Arad designs very interesting as well as Philip Spark. Peter Schreyer became a favorite a little later on as did Sir Jony Ive.

My greatest design is the MYWAY QUICK. This was my first electric scooter with which I went into production. I integrated into it 5 elements which made it what it became to be: 1) using the brush-less hub motor inside the wheel instead of a chain and an external motor 2) using a lithium ion battery 3) using aluminium extrusions for all the main parts instead of steel tubes and welding 4) a quick open and fold mechanism 5) packaging all these elements together with a neat, clean and attractive design. It has a great design. It made a change in the mobility market by taking personal mobility one step forward. It succeeded to become a micro mobility vehicle on a global spread.

If you feel you are good and you have something to say which is important, just do it!

Become a professional competition hand glider pilot. Movei producer / derectore Movie Stunt : )

Design on any scale is simply renewing and reflecting on an idea through an object. Whether it's in the field of graphic design or photography design, or any other.