Kristof De Bock

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Kristof De Bock ("KDB") for their original perspective and innovative approach to design as well as their creative lifestyle, we are very pleased to share our interview with our distinguished readers.

DL: Could you please tell us a bit about your design background and education?

KDB : I studied Interior Architecture in ‘De Bijloke’ in Gent. After these 4 years, I started working as a stand builder. For over 20 years I have been designing and constructing exhibition stands.

DL: What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?

KDB : I like to create. Designing as well as building. While doing this one always has to think some steps ahead. And in the end you have something tangible.

DL: Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?

KDB : It is in my blood to create. I would love to make music as well, but I lack the skills.

DL: What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?

KDB : I like to design constructions. I means that the way an object is composed interests me more than the color or the graphics on it.

DL: What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?

KDB : It must be hard to call me a design legend with a straight face. I think one should know his classics, keep his eyes open for new stuff and connect the dots.

DL: What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?

KDB : Great designers create a trend; good designers follow it.

DL: What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?

KDB : I don’t know how to describe the difference between the two, but I know that when I see a real good design, it steals more of my time. I guess the definition would be different for most people. Maybe the best designs are more innovative and details are better studied.

DL: What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?

KDB : If people want your object and it makes them happy, your design has added value. People should invest because it makes life better.

DL: What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?

KDB : I would love to create a mountain bike. But obviously I would need help since I don’t know enough about aerodynamics or the best materials.

DL: What is the dream project you haven’t yet had time to realize?

KDB : I want to design most interior furniture. But I only started designing two years ago, so I still have time for a sofa, chair, closet, etc..

DL: Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?

KDB : Toshiyuki Kita

DL: What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?

KDB : I like the Wink chair from Toshiyuki Kita. One of the first exercises we had when I was studying for interior architect was to make an ode to a designer that was appointed to us. Each one was assigned a different one. I had Kita; the only one nobody knew. So in the pre www-era, I had to direct to libraries and bookshops. One of the bookshop owners I met in Brussels know Toshiyuki Kita in person and informed me that he was coming to Brussels the next week. So I got to see him, but -as young, shy kids do, I kept my distance. Anyway, the Wink chair is a piece of furniture that is fully thought through of which I wish I designed it.

DL: What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?

KDB : Still proud of my first object. I wanted to make a career switch from stand constructor to product designer and Monday was my first design. To know how it would be valued, I participated the IDA awards. Hopes for recognition where not high, but I won gold in category floor lamps.

DL: How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?

KDB : It is almost impossible to come up with a completely new mind blowing idea. Most designs are re-designs from an existing object. That is why it is important to keep your eyes open and learn from existing stuff everywhere; also from nature.

DL: If you hadn’t become a designer, what would you have done?

KDB : I have been studying for interior architect, but my second choice was history. So I might have been a teacher.

DL: How do you define design, what is design for you?

KDB : Well, design is upscaling useful objects. Re-thinking them.

DL: Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?

KDB : Both my father and my wife. They comment in an honest way.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

KDB : I think it is important to take 3 steps back, question every aspect and redefine the starting point.

DL: How do you think designers should present their work?

KDB : The importance of good presentation is generally underestimated. For young designers it might be expensive. Contact a good photographer and take your time for it. Keep promoting and try to start your own community with soul like-minded people.

DL: What’s your next design project, what should we expect from you in future?

KDB : Currently I’m working on a chair and a standing lamp. Hope to finish shortly and I would like to do a sofa in the near future.

DL: What’s your ultimate goal as a designer?

KDB : To see my products sold by leading companies.

DL: What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?

KDB : I'm working on a chair that I hope to present this year.

DL: What would you like to see changed in design industry in the coming years?

KDB : I would like to see more respect for the products nature has to offer and that have worked fine in the past and I would like to see handcraft skills more appreciated.

DL: Where do you think the design field is headed next?

KDB : Technology will give design a new drift; then there will be a small throwback to the past.

DL: How long does it take you to finalize a design project?

KDB : I always have some ideas in my head; sometimes for years. When all dots come together to finalize one of them and I start on the prototypes, it usually goes fast. In about 1 month we get it done. Then -as mentioned before- we keep the object at home and it get concluded after a couple of months.

DL: When you have a new design project, where do you start?

KDB : With some ballpoint scribbles on paper.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

KDB : Quality with a personal touch.

DL: What is the role of technology when you design?

KDB : Technology is limited to CNC cutters, or other computer controlled machinery.

DL: What kind of design software and equipment do you use in your work?

KDB : The sad truth is that I was the last batch in school without learning about cad drawing. My knowledge is limited but I don’t feel the need to learn about it. Most ideas get there first form by a ballpoint on paper.

DL: What is the role of the color, materials and ambient in design?

KDB : I work with natural materials and I like to show their beauty. Treatment is limited varnish or things to preserve it better; very limited painting. Natural products gives a warm ambient. But we do pay much attention to the color of the natural products and the combination.

DL: What do you wish people to ask about your design?

KDB : Where can I purchase it.

DL: When you see a new great design or product what comes into your mind?

KDB : When I have a whaaw-feeling, I get childish excited.

DL: Who is your ideal design partner? Do you believe in co-design?

KDB : I like to work alone. In the beginning I wanted help in figuring out the small details. Now I show my prototype to a limited group of people and let them comment and suggest.

DL: Which people you interacted had the most influence on your design?

KDB : My father and my wife. I have to thank them for their honest, -yet supportive- comments.

DL: Which books you read had the most effect on your design?

KDB : No doubt that should be a picture book as design is a visual aspect. But I can’t give a clear answer to this question.

DL: How did you develop your skills as a master designer?

KDB : Experience.

DL: Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?

KDB : David Bowie, the famous music designer.

DL: What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?

KDB : The natural color of the object. I like a place under the sun. Barcelona was super before mass tourism. Western cuisine. My MTB. My Dasein Products.

DL: What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?

KDB : Can be when an idea pups up. Can be when the object is finished. Can be when I win an award.

DL: When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?

KDB : Not at all. I could have gone different ways. Teacher, handcraft worker, small business manager,… .

DL: What do you think about future; what do you see will happen in thousand years from now?

KDB : The same as always. Mankind will keep exploring. New inventions will lead to new trends, new wars, etc.. Children will be born, people will die.

DL: Please tell us anything you wish your fans to know about you, your design and anything else?

KDB : I started as an object designer after a near burnout in 2018. I had been working to hard as a stand constructor and needed to break that circle. I had been walking with the idea of our Monday (my first design) for years but never found the time to make it. Spring that year I got overwhelmed by the urge that it would be now or never. If I wouldn’t make time, it wouldn’t get done -or worse- someone else would come up with the same idea. So I have put the time/object relationship in the name of my brand. Dasein Products is not simply a bad diversion of the word design. It is a term used in psychology and related disciplines. Furthermore each object we create has a time notification in its name referring to a it’s looks, the design process or the feeling it gave us.