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Interview with Hernani Ruhland Tralli |
Home > Designer Interviews > Hernani Ruhland Tralli |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer Hernani Ruhland Tralli (HRT) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of Hernani Ruhland Tralli 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?
HRT: I've been drawing since I was a kid, so I think it became a routine over time. I got to take a comics course for 3 years, then a technical course in advertising, a faculty of Industrial Design and a Photoshop course to improve myself. I've always liked to draw a little bit of everything, I've never specialized in just one segment. When I have an idea, I try to put what I imagined on paper or on the computer. I never thought about being a designer but I always wanted to be involved in something with Art or Design. I think it's a very difficult area, there are so many excellent artists and designers. Something that always inspired me was also seeing Concept Arts that movie productions did, sets, vehicles, creatures, I loved seeing pre-production movie content on DVD extras.
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
HRT: At the moment I don't have a company or agency, I work with wood doing some small projects and crafts.
FS: What is "design" for you?
HRT: Today Art and Design is part of me. I couldn't live doing anything else. Nature itself creates design naturally all the time. I think Design is also about using what already exists in nature and working on top of it, such as the creation of planes, inspired by birds and the design of their wings.
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
HRT: Hard to say, I like to draw a little bit of everything, but I confess that vehicles and anatomy are not my specialty. When I have a project in mind, I try to do my best to make it happen, an example of this was the Watch Holzwolf concept that I released for this A' Design Award competition. I'm very interested in futuristic drawings, space exploration, I like to do some landscape paintings or just doodling in my idea notebook.
FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
HRT: In general, I really like Concept Arts for movies, there are many Art-Books by excellent artists who make beautiful pre-production work for the cinematic, set concepts, costumes, vehicles, fictional creatures... An infinite amount of material to get inspired. Just to give an example, the movie Alien with the Fabulous Art of Hans Rudolf Giger.
FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
HRT: In Brazil I worked as a web designer in a company in the production of e-Learning courses. There we created courses with scenarios and avatars with movements and animations in Adobe Flash. I don't specifically remember a first project but it was a very interesting concept because each course was different from each other and had a fun interaction for the student to learn. At the end, the student took a Quiz and when he scored well, he received the certificate.
FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
HRT: Certainly Adobe Photoshop, I can't live without it, whether to create projects or edit images. I also use Adobe Illustrator.
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
HRT: Good question, sometimes I have many ideas at the same time, the problem is wanting to materialize all of them. So I write down the ideas and see which ones can be started or shelved. I don't have a specific time to be more creative, but when I'm on a project, ideas flow better.
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
HRT: Definitely the visual and creative aspect. I always try to do something different from what already exists, taking into account every detail.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
HRT: Pleasure, joy and satisfaction.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
HRT: Realization and satisfaction of a completed project.
FS: What makes a design successful?
HRT: I think the smile and happiness of those who see my projects. Seeing people's contentment looking at every detail of my work makes me very happy and fulfilled, even though I think there's always room to improve even more in each work done.
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
HRT: Again the visual and creative aspect I think is fundamental. The first impression is always the last one.
FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
HRT: Great question and very important. In case we have a physical product already in production and not just a Concept, the main aspect for a designer is the type of material used in the product and if it causes any damage to the environment or to our health. Our responsibility becomes greater. Today the demand for raw materials/products is very high and not everyone is aware of the damage that unbridled consumerism is causing to the environment. A quick search on the internet and you will see the problem of islands of garbage in the oceans, the rampant production of automobiles or even mountains of discarded clothes that arrive from various parts of the world and are thrown in huge open-air dumps in deserts (as per example the Atacama Desert in Chile). I think all of us as a collective have a big responsibility on this unpleasant side, we as designers, companies and consumers. From my point of view, a more minimalist and ecological society is the way to go, using products that are only essential and useful in our daily lives and not just for aesthetics and status.
FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
HRT: I see many innovative ideas emerging from the design and technology area. I really enjoy following the development of space exploration and I see that we are getting closer and closer to that no longer fictional reality of exploring other worlds. This will bring enormous advances to society in every way, not only technological but social. I also follow the efforts of many companies focused on taking care of the environment by creating important sustainable projects and in the search for clean energy. This for me is extremely important and the most correct way to go.
FS: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
HRT: In fact, I haven't had a big exhibition yet, but I had the satisfaction of participating in a competition for 'esa - European Space Agency' in 2018, the winner of which would have their art displayed on the rocket coif for the launch of the Cheops satellite. I didn't win, but I received a certificate of participation and stickers as a gift in the mail. This was another project that motivated me a lot. In it I managed to finish and send it in just 2 days, because I knew about this competition at the end. The image can be seen in my portfolio at 'behance.net/HernaniRuhland'. About future exhibitions, at the moment I have nothing in mind.
FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
HRT: Good question. As a child, in addition to drawing, I read a lot of comic books, I loved playing with Lego, watching science fiction movies and many Japanese animations and series. Much of my creativity today was influenced by these factors. With so much content today, it's impossible not to be inspired to create my own projects. Today my inspirations are aligned with the environment, working with wood, researching Art & Design books, Concept Arts and many references from great designers.
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?
HRT: To make my projects I really like to work with digital textures, be it metal, wood, I add light and shadow, crop images, I find it fun to "play" with it. I do the 2D concepts but with details and textures that in the end resembles a 3D product depending on the project.
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?
HRT: I'm Brazilian and today I'm living in Germany. And certainly my Brazilian heritage affects a lot, we Brazilians are very creative in solving problems. I've always found the design field to be very difficult, you need to be very specific in which design segment you want to get into. I believe that in Europe Design is more valued and there are more opportunities than in Brazil. In my creative projects, when possible, I try to merge the two cultures.
FS: How do you work with companies?
HRT: In the most professional and cooperative way possible. It is very important to me that projects are well designed by a great team in development from start to finish.
FS: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
HRT: I think listening to them and letting your creativity flow naturally. As I said before, it is a very difficult area and one that demands a creative effort that often requires solitude on the part of the designer to prepare a project. I'll take myself as an example, I like to produce a more elaborate and detailed project, sometimes even too perfectionist, I confess. Bear in mind that the time for one artist will differ from another. In Brazil, there are many designers who are giving up on the area due to excessive stress, pressure from companies and the devaluation of the profession. Many people are suffering from Burnout, which is very sad for such a beautiful profession. For a good selection of professionals, checking their portfolio is a start. There are many talented professionals around the world on the internet.
FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
HRT: I'll give an example from my last project which was a wooden Watch concept. Working with wood, I came up with the idea of creating a wristwatch and I looked for more information about existing watches. The climate and landscapes of Europe inspired me to add some visual elements to this project. I researched types of woods that are used for Watch and digital textures. My focus is always to design a different and creative look.
FS: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
HRT: I have a white wooden bookcase with a glass door and shelves to store my miniatures and some Action Figures; Next to my TV I have an Action Figure on display inside a glass box and wooden base that I assembled many years ago; My Bamboo Wristwatch that I used as a reference for my latest project; A small 13x18 cm photo frame with the image of the Fossil Archeopteryx that I acquired at the Natural History Museum in Berlin; And last and most elegant is my wooden box with a glass lid and internal dividers to store 6 Wristwatch.
FS: Can you describe a day in your life?
HRT: On a routine day here in Germany I get up at 6 am, have breakfast, watch some news on my cell phone, then leave by train or ride to another city to the Social Integration for personal development and the German language. There I also work with wood, crafts and painting. Then I return home around 2 pm for lunch and in the afternoon I go for a walk on the lake, then I return home and sit at the computer to create something or just draw. At night I do some physical activity, have dinner, read a book, meditate and go to sleep.
FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
HRT: Follow your dreams and never give up. One step at a time, even if the path is difficult. A tree does not bear fruit in a short period of time, each tree has its own time to evolve and bear fruit. I know this path well and I'm still on it.
FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
HRT: On the positive side, the satisfaction and accomplishment of a work when finished. The negative side is the difficulties in finding opportunities and someone who is interested in your art and creativity, so I say again that it is a very difficult and disputed area.
FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
HRT: Honestly, I think putting all of your effort into a project. Use our full potential and creativity with the resources we have at hand.
FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
HRT: I think having a knowledge of drawing, light and shadow, perspectives, colors helps a lot, but they are not a rule. The main thing, without a doubt, is creativity.
FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
HRT: As a Graphic Designer I can't live without Photoshop, I even use it to "play" with a simple image editing on the computer. In projects, I usually use Photoshop and Illustrator simultaneously. Source of inspiration I usually look on the internet and Instagram looking at Art, Design and Concept.
FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
HRT: Great question. Yes, design projects can be quite time consuming. In my case, because I am very detail-oriented and perfectionist, I end up taking much longer. When I have a project in mind I first scribble on paper, research some references on the internet and proceed. When I see in the first tests that the look is interesting, I go ahead and dedicate myself if possible daily and even on the weekend. I do it in stages and as the days go by it takes shape. This lasts for days, weeks and even a month and little usually. It's something that makes me happy and focused on doing.
FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
HRT: Compared to some artwork I did for my portfolio on the internet, about 3-5 weeks.
FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
HRT: They usually ask how long it took me to do such a project and if I did it myself.
FS: What was your most important job experience?
HRT: It was when I worked in Brazil as a web designer. I learned a lot there, grew as a person and professionally. Here in Germany I'm evolving a lot too, it was here that I started my portfolio on Behance.net.
FS: Who are some of your clients?
HRT: I don't have a client today. Because I'm currently not working in the field professionally. I usually do personal projects to enhance my portfolio.
FS: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
HRT: Undoubtedly, with graphic design and crafts with wood that is where I can have greater freedom with my creativity.
FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
HRT: We never know tomorrow, I prefer to keep my feet on the ground and walk one step at a time.
FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
HRT: Usually alone, but I always ask for the opinion of someone who might have a different perspective.
FS: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
HRT: Well, depending on when you're reading this comment, I might be on one project or the other. It could be some wood craft work or some personal graphic design project.
FS: How can people contact you?
HRT: Via my profile here at the A' Design Award, email or my portfolio at behance.net/HernaniRuhland.
FS: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
HRT: Yes, about Design competitions. I think this initiative is extremely important for the dissemination of work by different designers around the world. A great idea for publicity.
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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