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Interview with Napoleon M. Haboc |
Home > Designer Interviews > Napoleon M. Haboc |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer Napoleon M. Haboc (NMH) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of Napoleon M. Haboc by clicking here.
FS: 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?
NMH: I honestly acquired my knowledge in design through my previous working experiences. Though i failed to finish my architecture course in our country due to financial problem, i didn't end up there. I have the passion to design and create things so i want to share my concepts by working in various manufacturers. I learned both from my past mistakes and achievements. I was fond of creating something when i was child, so i'm very sure, designing will be my job.
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
NMH: Currently, i am working as full-time in-house designer under a Taiwanese Lighting Company here in Guangdong Province, China. But i'm still looking forward to advertise my personal Design business -"NAPOLEONHWORKS". I work mainly for Decorative home decor product designing.
FS: What is "design" for you?
NMH: Design is a product of one's creative imagination. It is the art of conceiving and producing solution rationally, logically, sequentially to solve problems in our daily lives. It is a blending of aesthetic and functionality.
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
NMH: I prefer designing decorative lighting products, but i can design furniture and home decorative accessories as well.
FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
NMH: Crawl Lamp- My entry for A design awards. Maybe because it's my very first entry for lighting design competition and at the same my first time to win such competition.
FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
NMH: Home decorative accessories.
FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
NMH: Natural/My macbook
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
NMH: When i see beautiful nature. I love nature and this is always my inspiration for most of my design.
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
NMH: Form and function.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
NMH: If i'm in a positive mood, i work better. My emotion affects what i'm doing so i always make sure i'm in positive normal feeling before doing my job.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
NMH: Of course, i am happy every time i'm seeing my design being materialized and successful.
FS: What makes a design successful?
NMH: For me, originality, form and its function.
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
NMH: For me, functionality before anything else.
FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
NMH: Designers should be responsible for developing and creating designs that can help solve problems in our daily lives.
FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
NMH: Before, pencil is the tool for concept making. Right now, we are living in the world of digital era, everything can be done thru computer for as long as you have your personal softwares. Visualization is where concept begins. The computer can't do that for us. Medieval masons literally built castles in the air, in their minds, before they built them on the ground. That's what we have to learn to do again. If we don't, the brilliance of digital designs will grow increasingly empty.
FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
NMH: I always observe nature. Nature is my best inspiration for most of my designs. For me, Nature is the original designer.
FS: How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
NMH: I try to be as diverse as possible because on my experience with working in various companies, and owners have different design taste and preferences. By diversifying my style i have a better chance of getting a job to any company with one style. It always depend on the project i'm doing with which style I choose. I always concentrate to finish all my goals in my daily design works.
FS: How do you work with companies?
NMH: I'm currently working as in-house designer under a Taiwanese Lighting Manufacturer but i'm still accepting design freelance work as well from other companies for as long as it will not affect the business line of my current employer. It may be by project or per hour. I always see to it this will not affect my current work too so i'm always checking my work loads before accepting freelance jobs.
FS: Can you describe a day in your life?
NMH: I'm always busy. But better busy than doing nothing. I'm always occupied by my daily task, but i'm happy about my job.
FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
NMH: Failures is always a part of our life but never give up in achieving something. As they say," before a man can win, he must be beaten"... Our thoughts affects our moods so always think positively and just continue what you love to do.
FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
NMH: To become a designer, is a gamble! You are gambling your concepts. Sometimes, it pays well, sometimes it's not.
FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
NMH: Just observe nature and you will have a good and unique concept.
FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
NMH: Basic rough sketching and keen logical observation!
FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
NMH: Pencil and eraser for rough concept sketching. I'm using Adobe illustrator (with CAD plug-in), Photoshop and Strata 3D as my design softwares and mac is my platform. I have several books for inspirations as well.
FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
NMH: I always put work first before relaxation. I always make sure, everything in my schedule is systematized. I always try to finish priority before anything else. I will perform some personal overtime at home if needed.
FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
NMH: It depends on the concept you are making.
FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
NMH: What am i designing.
FS: What was your most important job experience?
NMH: Working as a decorative lighting product designer. I really learned a lot from it!
FS: Who are some of your clients?
NMH: Some of my clients are local manufacturers in China
FS: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
NMH: Decorative lighting product designing. Maybe because it works well for me and i've been doing this for how many years.
FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
NMH: To advertise my Design business as well as my award winning design.
FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
NMH: I worked before with a design team in my previous employment, but currently, i'm developing designs by myself whatever my employer, or our customer ask me to.
FS: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
NMH: I have. But i respect my employer's privacy. Whatever designs i'm making for him, it's merely for him to protect our mutual interest.
FS: How can people contact you?
NMH: They can email me thru polliao@yahoo.com, or call me thru (86)-13790383830
FS: Thank you for providing us with this opportunity to interview you.
A’ Design Award and Competitions grants rights to press members and bloggers to use parts of this interview. This interview is provided as it is; DesignPRWire and A' Design Award and Competitions cannot be held responsible for the answers given by participating designers.
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