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Interview with George Šmejkal |
Home > Designer Interviews > George Šmejkal |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer George Šmejkal (G) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of George Šmejkal 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?
G: My name is George Šmejkal. I have a Bachelor degree on Faculty of architecture, CTU, Prague. I have graduated on Faculty of wood science, CULS, Prague. Now I am Master of Science and I am finishing my Master Architecture program on Brno University of Technology. I am very interested in parametric designing.
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
G: Parametr Studio is fresh startup project which designs Smart wooden furniture. Each project has an encrypted special ability obtained by using digital design techniques, enhancing product capabilities. Studio was established in 2016 and it has 2 members. This young team is cooperation of designer and project manager. Studio is based in Prague, where the inventions come into existence. Main goal is to produce wood artefacts with better properties than is standard. Combination of generative tools and digital fabrication are characteristic feature of the studio.
FS: What is "design" for you?
G: My passion is to find another paths than is regular.
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
G: The scale doesn´t matter. From architecture to design.
FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
G: It is Amheba bookcase. Organic bookcase called Amheba could change its shape during the designing process, thanks to defining parameters. Concept of Topological optimization is used for lightening the structure.
FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
G: The Chair Fupa (fully parametric), It changes the shape based on the client input information.
FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
G: I am trying to find new solution of designing and fabrication especially with wood materials. I am working with CNC machines.
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
G: When I absolutely know what I want to achieve.
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
G: It is economy of whole project.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
G: excitement, adrenaline
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
G: satisfaction and calm
FS: What makes a design successful?
G: It is Great idea behind the projects.
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
G: what is the concept
FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
G: Nowadays, It is very important to take care about recycling and use of materials which designers are using.
FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
G: More use of technology in designing and fabrication.
FS: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
G: My Fupa Chair was exhibited in February 2017 on Ecological housing fair in Prague.
FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
G: Facebook and fast social media are great for inspiration. Also, Instagram and Youtube.
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?
G: It is characteristic to use the computer and visual algorithmic programming, for me. My style is parametric designing.
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?
G: I am from Hradec Králové a town in Czech Republic. There was lot of very famous great architecture made between the First and the Second world war. There is lot of innovations in these buildings. That thing has very positive impact on me.
FS: How do you work with companies?
G: No so often. Only for fabrication, but I like it and it works fine.
FS: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
G: In general, primary important is, if the design has an idea behind itself.
FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
G: At first, I need to have a goal which I need to achieve. Then, I make first sketches for formulate the idea. And after that, It is only long long time of scripting.
FS: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
G: It is my bookcase Amheba. Than a lamp, a chair, and a table.
FS: Can you describe a day in your life?
G: Somedays I am going to school for my master study in architecture. Other days I am working on visualizations or designing for Archonaut architecture studio. In the rest, I am thinking about new ideas for Parametr Studio.
FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
G: Don´t be scared, be aware of stupid people.
FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
G: Negative aspect is that everyone is designer. There is very big competition. On the other hand, It is really satisfying profession.
FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
G: Think about the concept.
FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
G: 3d modelling
FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
G: Rhinoceros + Grasshopper (+addons)
FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
G: I have a paper notebook.
FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
G: It depends, but about 4-5 months for me.
FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
G: What I am using for my creativity.
FS: What was your most important job experience?
G: Realization of Rock Café interior restoration in the center of the Prague.
FS: Who are some of your clients?
G: My friends. And their friends.
FS: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
G: I love parametric designing. I love the logic behind whole process.
FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
G: I want to make new cheap furniture. Than some bigger pavilion from wood and finally a building. All with rules based on the parametric design.
FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
G: I am developing my design myself.
FS: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
G: Now I am finishing interesting school project which is generated by sound pollution from roads.
FS: How can people contact you?
G: By email: info@parametrstudio.cz
FS: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
G: Check out Our new projects on Facebook and Instagram #parametrstudio Thank you and bye.
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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