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Interview with Simona Hrušková |
Home > Designer Interviews > Simona Hrušková |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer Simona Hrušková (SH) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of Simona Hrušková 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?
SH: I have always wanted to do something creative. I was dreaming about being a dancer, an architect and any kind of designer. I started with technical high school to get more information how things works and how they are build. After that I choose to study industrial and product design. And there it all have begann.
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
SH: I work as a freelance designer. I do design of products for different companies and I enjoy the variability of the topics.
FS: What is "design" for you?
SH: Design is a way of thinking for me. I like to think about how we use products, when and where we use them. How do we feel about using them. I always likes to look at a problem from different point of view and try to search for new solutions. An important part of my process is based on understanding the end user. The key to success is according to my based on combination of functionality, emotion, simplicity and also sustainability.
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
SH: I like to design products what are functional and useful for the end user. Product what can solve some kind of problem and make the life more easy.
FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
SH: I guess my favorite design I made was a folding chair. It is because we worked on it as a team of student in Canada. It was so much to learn with this project - technical mechanism, material´s weaknes and strenghts and also communication in the team.
FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
SH: First time when I designed something for a company was a luminaire OVILI. It was a student´s project, so it was really great to get in touch with a really and successful company.
FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
SH: I love to work with wood and with all kinds of fabrics. I also like to learn how much possibilities we have with these materials.
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
SH: Usually I feel really creative when I can talk about design, life and share experience with other people. To hear what they are working on and talk about the project really inspire me. Then I always feel I want to go and create something.
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
SH: I like to focus on the firt touch with the project so that means a research for me. Think about how it could work, how it could feel and and the end how it could look.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
SH: It depents, when it goes well I feel so energetic and happy and can´t wait to have the real product in my arms. When it doesn´t go that well I need to talks about the project with someone and then it goes well again. Sharing the ideas is important for me.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
SH: I'm happy when I know it works and people like it. I have a feeling that I have done a good job and something what is useful.
FS: What makes a design successful?
SH: The key to success is according to based combination of functionality, emotion, simplicity and also sustainability.
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
SH: Functionality.
FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
SH: For me, it is to think beyond the product - to act myself "Does the product make any sence?" I like to think about how people will use the product, where the product's materials come from. We can not just think about how beautiful it looks but see the background of the production, how it goes to the end user and what kind of bentefits the product has for people and also nature.
FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
SH: For me it is important that we think about the the products are p roduced. Choose the good and sustainable material and to design product to help make people's lives better. It is good not to think about just the look but the way of using it.
FS: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
SH: HALLA has exhibited its products at the fair Light and building Fankfurt last year. There I was also exposed to my BENT luminaire.
FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
SH: I go out with my friends, talk and see some inspiration exhibition. I also love to travel and I do yoga. Nice long walks works for me as well.
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?
SH: Minimalistic. I like when there is nothing to take off.
FS: 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?
SH: I live in Prague. I love it here. I think here are also really good designers in Czech republic. However I would like to travel more and get to know different countries and peoples needs.
FS: How do you work with companies?
SH: I like when they know what they want and I will tell them how we will do it.
FS: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
SH: Again it's important to know what the company wants. Of course the requirements may change or the designer can advise something different. However, it is important that they pick the designer they like and they will let him do his job.
FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
SH: First I need to know information about the company I will do design for. I need to know how they think, what are their believes and what they want to focuse. Then I thing about a background of the product I am supposed to design. I do a lot of thinking in the beginning and write done my main idea. Then a go for some sketches, 3D modeling and 3D prototyping. When It all goes well and I am sure about it. I work with the reall material and do some renders and then I get the design ready for production.
FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
SH: Just be yourself, listen to your heart, listen to people, keep your eyes open for inspiration and also just breathe when it gets tough.
FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
SH: It is always depents on the person. Sometime you see more of the negatives and the other time you see all the positive things. For me it is important to do what you believe in and if there is something negative, you always turn it around.
FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
SH: The golden rule is to do what you believe in. However keep still questioning yourself what is the most important for you.
FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
SH: To have an open mind and think out of the box.
FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
SH: I use my computer -Rinoceros, SketchUp, AutoCAD, Adobe,... I like to use materials for prototyping such as paper, wood, textile.
FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
SH: I need to write down the things I need to do. I can always get back to this list when I get lost.
FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
SH: I can´t say it like this. It depends on a project. Everyone has a different process and time.
FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
SH: What do you like to design?
FS: What was your most important job experience?
SH: It is hard question. All of them were important at the time.
FS: Who are some of your clients?
SH: I design luminaires for HALLA, a.s. This is one of my favorite clients. I enjoy to work with them so much.
FS: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
SH: I enjoy to work with other designers. It is nice to share experience, ideas and passion for design.
FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
SH: I would love to get more involved into designing interiors. I like that the products there are really in function.
FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
SH: I do both.
FS: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
SH: Not at this moment.
FS: How can people contact you?
SH: via email simona.pear@gmail.com or cell phone +420776241300
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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