river

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer river ("River") 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?

River : I have no formal Art education as I'm a high school drop out, everything I know I've learned by myself. I've been an artist since 1998 and have worked with many different mediums over the years: photography, video, interactive art, installation, sculpture.

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

River : It was never much of a conscious choice. I'm on the Autism Spectrum and always had difficulties expressing myself, thus Art was a natural path. I was driven by a strong desire to reach out and translate my own self to the world and fellow human beings.

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

River : I mainly design unique and customized product. I love the idea to create a unique variation from a singular concept.

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

River : Do not be afraid! If your ideas are truly innovative, people will eventually recognize them and support your projects. Think big, this is our duty as humans to advance our culture and technology.

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

River : The ability to recognize and acknowledge mistakes or imperfections, and the willingness to always improve.

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

River : When it's both visually pleasing and practical. If it doesn't improve your daily life in some way, then it failed as a good design.

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

River : Improve the human experience itself.

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

River : Be truthful, honest and a perfectionist.

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

River : My SpaceTime Coordinates projects, I was very much obsessed with the idea of illustrating time and the human life within the context of space. I've been working on the first prototypes back in 2014 and I was very surprised by the popularity of the first project that I launched on Kickstater in 2015. I had no idea it would resonate with so many people then.

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

River : A scientist.

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

River : I found business partners who believe in my projects and with whom I have created a company together in 2017, to allow me to focus exclusively on exploring new ideas.

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

River : Inspire humanity.

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

River : I wanted to be a pirate, an astronaut, a spy, a detective, an inventor, a painter. Then I settle my mind of being a writer so I could do all the above.