Designer Interview

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Interview with Chris Knierim at Monday 10th of March 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?
CK: I always wanted to be a designer and builder.
To not only create other peoples designs but to make my designs become a reality.

FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
CK: My design practice is based in Sydney Australia
We design and build residential and commercial projects

FS: What is "design" for you?
CK: Good design for me is the foundation for innovation. It can't just look good it needs to fulfil its objective.

FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
CK: I love designing unique buildings and interiors

FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
CK: The design I am entering. It is a house like no other as many of the components are not available and not only did I design them but I built them too.

FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
CK: An extension in Frankfurt Germany where we designed a lounge room to be added to the side of a building like a lego block.
I then designed the furniture that was custom built to fit the space where it folded etc to change from a lounge to a sofa bed and also a pop up table.

FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
CK: Wood.

FS: When do you feel the most creative?
CK: when I speak with clients about their project, my creativity instantly evolves

FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
CK: All aspects

FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
CK: The emotion is created by the client. The story they tell me behind their idea allows my emotions to I feel is when I hear the story from the client for

FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
CK: Euphoric, such a great feeling to see your design come to life.

FS: What makes a design successful?
CK: When it meets the clients brief.

FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
CK: Quality and wether it fulfils its objectives.

FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
CK: The designer should always consider the environment and its effects on society.

FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
CK: Government regulations are adapting to consider the environment, hence regulations placed on designers to meet these regulations is evolving.
The future of design is

FS: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
CK: Forest Lodge ECO House in Sydney Australia was officially opened by the Lord Mayor of Sydney in January 2014

FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
CK: My inspiration comes from the environment and making sure that each design not only considers the environment but also minimises its carbon footprint.

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?
CK: My design style is boutique. I love being creative in y designs and spending the time to come up with a totally different idea.

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?
CK: I live in Sydney Australia. The Australian cultural heritage is evident in my designs I always try to source local products to help local communities. Living in Australia allows me to design and build all year round as the winter conditions are not so extreme.

FS: How do you work with companies?
CK: I work with communities, government and companies

FS: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
CK: They must select a designer based on their previous projects

FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
CK: I always provide concept drawings prior to submitting final drawings

FS: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
CK: My house; dining table; entrance door; staircase; electric fold-up door

FS: Can you describe a day in your life?
CK: Busy from start to finish

FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
CK: Always listen to the client. Keep an open mind and dare to look outside the box.

FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
CK: Positives are meeting people and seeing their expression once the project is completed is the most rewarding part of my designs.
There are no negatives.

FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
CK: Always meet the clients brief

FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
CK: Imagination

FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
CK: I use vector works software

FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
CK: Yes time must be managed otherwise you will not enjoy designing.

FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
CK: It depends on the object and the detail involved.

FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
CK: How did you come up with that idea?

FS: What was your most important job experience?
CK: Working in Germany on sustainable buildings

FS: Who are some of your clients?
CK: As a builder I consult for Government, Architects and public.

FS: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
CK: I love designing something that has not been seen before.

FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
CK: I am planing to design another ECO home on a larger scale.

FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
CK: I develop the ideas

FS: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
CK: Not at this stage

FS: How can people contact you?
CK: Email: contact@designerconstructions.com

FS: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
CK: Seem to have it all covered.

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

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