Mariela Capote

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Mariela Capote ("MC") 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: Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?

MC : My family

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

MC : Believe in me

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

MC : Living in Cuba and not having good promotion of my work

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

MC : As more comfortable they are while they manage to convey their ideas

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

MC : Create furniture from ashes, take advantage of the resources of trees burned in fires and create ecological and functional furniture

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

MC : Make real and functional dreams that solve problems

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

MC : I don't really know, but I will always try to do my best to help with my designs.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

MC : Solving their needs and not creating new ones because of the fashionable consumerism that exists

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

MC : Design a table that changes its shape and accommodates different spaces and functionalities, and in turn changes its morphology and graphics, without using metal fittings and everything is only with the wood itself

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

MC : Design a cutlery for children, because the creation process is almost like a game in the study of the morphology of cutlery and its ergonomics

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

MC : A more handmade touch and more customizable designs

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

MC : Towards digitization and futuristic projects that give new solutions very different from the ones we know

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

MC : Depends on the project, from a week to a month

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

MC : It is not always the same, but generally I start by solving a problem that exists with the object, something that is functional and different from the market

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

MC : Less is More and form follows function

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

MC : Both, depends on the designer

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

MC : It helps to advance in standardization, quality and helps to visualize the designs in a better way to the client

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

MC : Autodesk 3ds max and Adobe

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

MC : Essential, they help transmit sensations, emotions and even functions

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

MC : How functional is it, its characteristics and where to buy it

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

MC : Its possible uses, how to create it and its final life

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

MC : The client, Yes I believe

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

MC : My design teachers

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

MC : A Whack on the Side of the Head: How You Can Be More Creative, Roger Von Oech

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

MC : Experience, time and focusing on the needs of users

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

MC : Completely! With my friends

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

MC : It's not really something I think about, so I feel the same as before the accolades.

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

MC : Red, home, pizza, winter, my baby pillow and Braun

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

MC : Several clients think that the final renderings of the designs are real photos

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

MC : Try to design objects and solutions that become part of people's daily lives and in turn enjoy and love them

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

MC : Not at all, I just like to create things with clay and imagine fantasy things

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

MC : I hope it's a better world, I try to help with my designs to make it so!

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

MC : Never stop dreaming