Mateus Morgan

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Mateus Morgan ("MM") 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?

MM : I have always been passionate about drawing, at the encouragement of my parents I graduated in Graphic Design, since then I have learned as a self-taught and have taken some online courses with great masters like Grant Warwick.

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

MM : I think the biggest incentive is to be able to impact people's lives in a positive way and in this goal to cross the boundaries of each job.

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

MM : I choosed to become one.

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

MM : I love packaging design.

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

MM : Firstly have a lot of focus and willpower. Willpower leads even the least talented to their goals.

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

MM : Knowledge of the basics, critical sense and willpower for sure.

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

MM : The feeling that nothing is left and the power to touch people, cause sensations.

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

MM : The value of good design is inherent in the value it can bring to your customer, both financially and in touching the heart of their customers.

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

MM : The value of good design is inherent in the value it can bring to your customer, both financially and in arousing desires in their customers.

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

MM : I have a lot of projects in mind. It's very difficult to tell about one. All autoral projects.

DL: What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?

MM : No secrets, just focus and persistence.

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

MM : Grant Warwick, Vitaly Bulgarov, Ian Spriggs, Billelis, Alexander Kuskov, there's so many! Some Guys from Brazil also, as Rafael Vallaperde, Milton Menezes, from Lightfarm, Antropus, Guzz Soares.

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

MM : I really love Vitaly Bulgarov's designs. Its models have enormous personality and complexity.

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

MM : I thik it's the Fly Boot Project, that won the Platinum Award on A`Design Awards.

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

MM : Study every day in your life, at least for 10 minuts, if you just have this time.

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

MM : I don't know, maybe businessman at my father's computer store.

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

MM : It is the way to transform feeling into image and vice versa.

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

MM : For sure my parents and my wife Carla.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

MM : I think my persistence. I don't think i'm talented, it's just a bit of critical sense and a lot of persistence.

DL: What were the obstacles you faced before becoming a design master?

MM : I the city i live the clients don't understand very well the value of a good design. These obstacle is very difficult to broke.

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

MM : I think only when they are at least 99% sure that version is the final one.

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

MM : It's a animation video for other shoe company. A job that i'm doing right now. i's my first time doing a full animation, so maybe I don't know what to expect myself.

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

MM : I didn't plan much, I'm living day by day.

DL: What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?

MM : Certainly expect me to always deliver something more than expected.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

MM : It may sound capitalist, but design is often about money, and that's not bad. Large companies need employees, who may eventually start their companies later. But of course it can be applied directly to social causes, such as that of animals, for example, which I identify with. The more value you generate from your work, the greater the social impact, which many people don't seem to understand.

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

MM : In a animation for a shoe company. This is my first full animation that i do by myself.

DL: Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?

MM : I think the packaging design. It's one of the most purest form of design function applied.

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

MM : The dissemination of information trought internet.

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

MM : VR maybe.

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

MM : It is very variable, but usually about 2 or 3 weeks.

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

MM : I always start with references searching.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

MM : Redo it until it become good.

DL: Do you think design sets the trends or trends set the designs?

MM : Both. But i think good designs always set the trends inside his own market.

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

MM : I'm a technology buff, so technology involves everything from the equipment i use to work to the visual I use in many designs.

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

MM : A ryzen 7 with a 1070ti and 24gb of ram and a Cintiq 24hd.

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

MM : Color is one of the most important things in design as it is linked to our most primitive instincts. Just like the tactile sensations that comes through the material. When we reach these instincts we are on the right track.

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

MM : "Heyy, how you did this?"

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

MM : Certainly the feeling that I wish I had done that.

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

MM : It is certainly someone who knows how to share and listen and especially criticize. That mainly shares the same willpower. So yes, i believe in co-design.

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

MM : My ex professors and partners such Fernando Garróz, João Maurício and Otávio Silveira, that i have contact at least every day. These guys opened my eyes for 3D and for the importance of the theory.

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

MM : Color and Light by James Gurney.

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

MM : Studying every day and always revisiting the basics.

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

MM : Da Vinci, the most creative mind of all times.

DL: How do you feel about all the awards and recognition you had, is it hard to be famous?

MM : I am not famous, but i feel very happy for the recognition. It shows that I'm on the right track.

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

MM : Color: black, place: my home, food: steak, season: winter, brand: Adidas.

DL: Please tell us a little memoir, a funny thing you had experienced as a designer?

MM : The funny moments are always when the project is approved without any alteration.

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

MM : I think the award is a great motivation, and surprising people becomes addictive.

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

MM : Not even a little, but i loved to draw.

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

MM : Maybe a world with a lot of machines doing our works, but the human made design will have a lot of value.

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

MM : I don't know, but i am very receptive, so if somebody want to talk with me, feel free to contact me.