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Interview with Jiri Marek |
Home > Designer Interviews > Jiri Marek |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer Jiri Marek (JM) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of Jiri Marek 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?
JM: I'm a professionally trained food scientist, however, I recently turned my passion for wood and design into a full profession. I never knew that I would take this path, however, I have followed the herd for too long and now realize how much I like creative thinking. I'm at the beginning of my exciting journey of being a designer.
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
JM: Studio number 10 is a boutique business creating contemporary wooden hardware from 100% reclaimed wood. Our sophisticated design combined with our novel processes makes each and every piece unique and non replicable. We are passionate about sustainability, so we choose to use reclaimed wood from historic buildings as the raw material for our creations . Not only is it kinder to the planet, but it initiates the process of creating a piece of art. Each piece of wood carries the heritage of the original building. Challenging the status quo is what we believe in and the success of our wooden door handles is a good example of this vision.
FS: What is "design" for you?
JM: The process of creative thinking which turns ideas into reality and at its best improves people’s life by the design functionality and aesthetically fits the environment.
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
JM: Wooden hardware
FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
JM: Recently purchased Shaper origin workstation - this is a part of the Shaper machine which is effectively a portable cnc machine. The workstation is an incredibly smart and flexible portable table that allows the user to change the position of a piece he works on with absolute precision.
FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
JM: As already mentioned I’m at the beginning so those X-Streams door handles are my first design
FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
JM: Reclaimed Wood, which has endless opportunities
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
JM: I do not have a specific time of the day or place, but I think that once I’m the workshop shaping a project I feel the most inspired.
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
JM: It is undoubtedly functionality. If the design fails even a little bit to fulfill its main purpose it does not matter how elegant or clever it is.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
JM: Tension - is it going to be as good once completed as it is in my head now?
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
JM: Excitement and satisfaction
FS: What makes a design successful?
JM: A happy customer. The design might be miles away from any recognition, but if the customer values it and loves it then the main purpose met its objective.
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
JM: Always bad as I want keep positive thinking at the end of the process
FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
JM: Listening to the concerns, and translating those concerns into positive concepts / projects and solutions.
FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
JM: With new generations of young designers thinking about the environment and sustainability first I see a very bright future across all sections of every day life
FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
JM: Old buildings, ideally with a loft full of stuff untouched for decades. We are using reclaimed wood from old buildings so understanding where our prime material is coming from and its story is a great source of inspiration
FS: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
JM: Door handles made by us, already mentioned shaper work station, Mizuno golf clubs (irons ),
FS: Can you describe a day in your life?
JM: Hectic, but every minute is full of passion. At work, with family, when exercising, when talking.
FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
JM: Being able to transform a vision, a thought or a request into reality is a fantastic feeling. Being able to solve a problem via creative designs. However not every project turns out right and with a few (not always the designers fault) this can damage reputation.
FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
JM: Not to have one.
FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
JM: Listening, open minded, imagination
FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
JM: Mental discipline, ability to free my mind from outside world and lock myself in the moment when I’m in the thinking zone or simply when I’m struck by an idea.
FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
JM: Not very well, as sometimes I unnecessarily overthink, and look for problems where there are none.
FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
JM: This depends on hundreds of factors.
FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
JM: How did you come up with this.
FS: What was your most important job experience?
JM: Mistakes I, or others, made
FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
JM: I work by myself but at every significant stage of the project I share this with close friends asking for objective feedback
FS: How can people contact you?
JM: jiri@studionumber10.co.uk
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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