Ketan Jawdekar

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Ketan Jawdekar ("KJ") 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?

KJ : Art is a gift that has been given to me by my father, who is an artist and by mother, who is a classical singer. I have been painting since childhood and have bagged many accolades at the State and National level competitions in my early academic career. Taking my hobby to next level, I decided to pursue Architecture and got a degree in Bachelor Of Architecture from Shivaji University, India. Final year dissertation project got the first ranking in university.

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

KJ : Nature is the ultimate guru. It teaches you each and every aspect of life. I am fascinated by its creation and the evolution. I believe that nature is open source for all sort of information. What we need is the sensitivity to understand and learn from it. Mostly I get my inspiration from Nature and its marvellous creations. I was always fascinated with various compositions and always tried to extract them into three-dimensional structures. I discovered that visual arts can be explored in larger the canvas if I pursue Architecture and instead of fine arts, I opted for the 'Mother of all Arts' -Architecture, as a career.

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

KJ : It was always my dream to become a designer.

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

KJ : I believe that once you are a designer, always you will be! I like to design anything and everything. Design originated from the needs and whenever there is a need, I like to design and fulfil the need. Professionally, I am into architecture and Interior design.

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

KJ : Mantra to become successful designer is, "AEIOU" That is, Accept challenges, Evolve with time, Implement ideas, Observe carefully and Understand needs. One needs to follow this mantra and work with the vision towards it. Most importantly, Believe in yourself and listen to your inner voice.

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

KJ : A bird building a nest is a good designer but the one who created life, bird with ability to create a nest, ability to fly, ability to celebrate is a great designer- almighty!

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

KJ : A good design for me is the one that is strong in following aspects • Functionality • Local context • Dialogs between the built and the UN built • Sustainability • Simplicity

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

KJ : I choose a subtle fusion of aesthetics. It is interesting to venture how each material behaves individually, in contrast; yet combined together creates poetry in design. As a result, rural materials and objects are seen woven into the contemporary fabric. With simplicity as the primary guiding factor, I choose straight line look and splashes of bold colors are introduced through various elements such as traditional local art-e-facts, displays and merchandise. An engaging play of light and shade – with a cleverly designed lighting pattern enhances the divine experience generated through organic components like wood and stones. The overall experience though quite emotive, I try to showcase local context and philosophy ingeniously without compromising on the functional and visual factors. There is a deliberate attempt in designs to use fusion of traditional elements with a contemporary design as a base. It creates an international look yet does not loose its identity with respect to local context. I call it FAD, the Fusion Aided Designs.

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

KJ : • Nari Gandhi for his distinctive organic character that created a series of dialogs between the built and the un-built. • Mies van der Rohe for his timeless “less is more” theory. • Tadao Ando for his designing complex spatial circulation while maintaining the appearance of simplicity. • Achyut P. Kanvinde for his vernacular Architecture with a grid of columns forming a matrix giving special and structural aspect that would turn a design to more sophisticated and faceted. • Kenzo Tange for his perfect balance of masculinity and feminity in the design of a building. • Zaha Hadid for her utmost determination and marketing startegies.

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

KJ : Fine Artist or Airforce Pilot- Indian Airforce.

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

KJ : Design is a combination of Desire, Enthusiasm, Sustainability, Innovation, Grace and Necessity.

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

KJ : Support from my family was key in the success storey. My mother and father encouraged me to explore new heights and later, my wife extended her complete support to achieve dreams.

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

KJ : Definitely The design sets the trends.

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

KJ : Technology has played a major role in the development of design, especially in metro cities. It has changed the perspective of architects, designers, and developers and even has influenced a common man. With the modern technology penetrating in the market, I think it has given broader perspective and vision to the designers to experiment on various fronts. More and more fluid designs are evolving but sometimes, organic characters that are created with modern techniques lack dialogs between the built and the UN built. Technology is an evolving field and we cannot ignore it. It applies to products as well. There will always be a change. New trends, products and technologies would be introduced. Use of eco friendly, bio degradable, recycled materials is a need of time and future. At the same time, we need to adapt modern technology, and latest materials to stay in tune with the times. We as designers should be able to balance these aspects to create timeless designs without compromising on the functionality and aesthetics of the design.

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

KJ : Go on a long ride on my Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500 or just be myself alone in deep woods and mountains.

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

KJ : Nobody has taught a bird how to sing, Nobody has taught a bird how to dance.... Creativity is within and celebration is the only way!