Designer Interview

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Interview with Nikita Chandekar at Monday 14th of April 2014

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?
NC: Yes i had always been creative as a kid. I was interested in product design hence i first completed my graduation in electronics engineering and then completed masters in product design so i could learn what goes inside a product as well as the aesthetics of it.

FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
NC: I am currently doing my masters in product design from MIT institute of design.

FS: What is "design" for you?
NC: Design is a way of simplifying life.

FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
NC: I like designing medical equipment as well as user interaction designs.

FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
NC: a zipper is a classic design which i like.

FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
NC: I am currently a student.

FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
NC: A pencil and my markers.

FS: When do you feel the most creative?
NC: Ideas come to me anytime, when i am driving or i am having a "chai".

FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
NC: Problem solving and technology.

FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
NC: Excitement

FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
NC: Satisfaction and happiness.

FS: What makes a design successful?
NC: Its need and impact on life.

FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
NC: The need is the most important part of a design. A design can be considered great only if it solves a problem.

FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
NC: as a designer whatever i design has a huge impact on the environment as it involves stakeholders, material , and money. So design should be responsible.

FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
NC: Future of design is "clean and simple"

FS: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
NC: none

FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
NC: Observation of my surroundings.

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?
NC: Problem solving.

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?
NC: I am an Indian. And my cultural heritage has a huge influence on the way i design. I have to keep in mind the huge variations of social and economic classses of people when i design anything.

FS: How do you work with companies?
NC: I am currently looking for an internship.

FS: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
NC: They should look for a person who gives them an all new angle of solutions.

FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
NC: Its includes extensive research, ideation and prototyping.

FS: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
NC: Phone.

FS: Can you describe a day in your life?
NC: Its simple.

FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
NC: Always be observant.

FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
NC: none.

FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
NC: As Steve Jobs quoted "Stay hungry Stay foolish"

FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
NC: Observation

FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
NC: A vernier calliper

FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
NC: I can manage my time well.

FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
NC: It depends on the product.

FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
NC: None

FS: What was your most important job experience?
NC: I am currently a student

FS: Who are some of your clients?
NC: I am currently a student

FS: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
NC: I like ideation

FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
NC: I am looking for a 6 month internship. I am looking for firms abroad. Kindly contact me if there is an opportunity.

FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
NC: both.

FS: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
NC: None

FS: How can people contact you?
NC: my mail id is- nikita.chandekar@mitid.edu.in
i would like to hear from you.

FS: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
NC: Thank you. That will be all.

FS: Thank you for providing us with this opportunity to interview you.

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