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Interview with Mana Khaloo |
Home > Designer Interviews > Mana Khaloo |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer Mana Khaloo (MK) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of Mana Khaloo 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?
MK: She has always been interested in artistic works and art in general. That’s why she decided to go to vocational school after middle school. There she studied Graphic design and graduated with significant achievements, from the Art and Architecture faculty of Shiraz University, in Graphic Design. However, as she was knee-deep into creating artifacts with her own hands rather than computerizing them, she started creating handicrafts, such as stencil print (on scarves and cushions sewn by herself), candle making, knitting, weaving leather accessories, etc. Gaining different experiences with handicrafts, she learned she was fond of making jewelry, so she took several courses in goldsmith and jewelry making. Finally, she took a goldsmith technical and vocational skill certificate along with a jewelry design handicraft degree in 2019. She managed to establish her own brand and successfully started the business. Now she has regular and new customers from around the world.
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
MK: She always wanted to create her own designs, so she became an entrepreneur in 2018 and made her own business and brand from scratch. She built her workshop, in her hometown.
FS: What is "design" for you?
MK: It is the means of making her dreams come true. It gives her the power of innovation.
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
MK: Magnificent pieces of jewelry like Harry Winston’s works.
FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
MK: She’s really into making stunning necklaces as it is a symbol of personality and beauty for any person.
FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
MK: The first designed piece was a collar made of black oxide sterling silver, based on the Persian ancient carpet motives.
FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
MK: exponential experience with different materials, working with silver is her favorite one.
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
MK: In the peace and quiet of night when the world is asleep.
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
MK: Although every project is different from one another, after the process of creating, being functional and practical is the most important to her when she’s designing.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
MK: Feeling so excited that she would lose track of time.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
MK: As a designer, every little appreciation feels like an accomplishment, mostly when her customer is happy and loves the work.
FS: What makes a design successful?
MK: Having an eye-catching beauty at first sight and being practical.
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
MK: the beauty and the concept behind each piece, which is a way to the designer's creative mind.
FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
MK: As a successful female entrepreneur, helping to promote cultural and aesthetic awareness.
FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
MK: Classical art is being replaced with modern, abstract art and relies more on IT than always.
FS: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
MK: - International Gold and Jewelry Exhibition, SHIRAZ/IRAN She’s going to have her next exhibition As soon as she can complete her new collection about WOMAN LIFE FREEDOM.
FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
MK: Being fascinated and inspired by the ancient symbols and patterns of Persian art she tries to improve her creativity by studying and examining all works of art and combining them with modern art.
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?
MK: She describes her design style as simple as her fantasies.
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?
MK: She is based in Shiraz, the cultural capital of Iran. the great historical background of her country has definitely inspired her with beautiful ancient patterns and symbols. At the same time, unfortunately, she faces a lot of problems when trying to study foreign arts and new ideas due to internet access deprivation.
FS: How do you work with companies?
MK: She’s self-employed and doesn't work for any companies yet. Although her collections had been represented by creditable galleries in the capital city.
FS: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
MK: It is the design that sells the designer, however, knowledge and experience are very important factors.
FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
MK: Searching and sketching and figuring out the ups and downs of the process of creating.
FS: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
MK: - Sitting leather lounge set designed by Dorsa LTD - College artifact created by herself
FS: Can you describe a day in your life?
MK: She has a busy lifestyle. Studying, designing, creating, photography, and taking care of her business social media, and customers are only a part of her busy day. Of course, doing the house chores and running the errands can not be ignored.
FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
MK: Try to be creative and original and avoid copying others' ideas.
FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
MK: for a designer, money is always an obstacle, but getting positive feedback for your work is a pleasure.
FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
MK: Doing a lot of research to keep the originality of your designs.
FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
MK: Knowing how to sketch.
FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
MK: As for the software, she uses illustrator, photoshop, and matrix. Since all her works are handmade, she uses quite a lot of goldsmith tools such as handsaw, rolling machine, smith, magnet machine, etc. she also searches among historic books and art books.
FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
MK: To tell you the truth she sometimes has to sacrifice her personal life to allocate enough time to design and create.
FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
MK: It depends on what kind of project it is.
FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
MK: Do you really get enough sleep?
FS: What was your most important job experience?
MK: Establishing her own business and facing all the challenges to work in a male-dominated field.
FS: Who are some of your clients?
MK: her customers started from family and friends and expanded internationally as the work grows.
FS: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
MK: Jewelry designing, as it was the most attractive field since she started her path.
FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
MK: She’s quite ambitious and doing her best to be recognized internationally as a most skilled jewelry designer, by taking part and winning in more international design competitions.
FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
MK: She develops her designs herself at the same time she is always helpful in teamwork.
FS: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
MK: She’s working on a collection Hashieh which is inspired by Persian carpet patterns.
FS: How can people contact you?
MK: They can send her an email at Anabellz.design@gmail.com or contact her via the Instagram page Anabell_jewelry_ or check her site Anabelljewelry.com
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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