Mahdi Fakhimi

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Mahdi Fakhimi ("MF") 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?

MF : I have graduated in master of architecture. I have written some books, I have done more than 150 projects and achieve some international awards.

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

MF : Creativity is the most powerful engine in design field, It motivates a designer to continue.

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

MF : I choose to be a designer.

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

MF : I design life by architecture.

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

MF : They should have concern about humanity and society, they must know pain and feel it.

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

MF : A good designer think well, but a great designer think great.

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

MF : To Consider specific audience and general audience at the same time.

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

MF : It affects visitor opinion and causes they feel pleasant, they should invest in good design because they spend their life in those spaces and a qualified atmosphere leads a pleasant feeling.

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

MF : A hotel design based on fusion architecture.

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

MF : Emphasize both function and elegance at the same time,whether in details or general aspects.

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

MF : Azadi tower, Azadi square, Tehran, Iran, Hossein Amanat ,it is a great sample of incorporation architecture. Falling water home, united states, Frank Lloyd wright, It is an excellent design established on environment force and have accuracy in functional design.

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

MF : It concludes all aspects of design in the best way that it was possible, It focus on elegance, function and context.

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

MF : Think and see more efficiently

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

MF : I like to would be a teacher spacial for children.

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

MF : Design is a form of expressing emotion which change the imagination to reality.

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

MF : My family of course, second my teachers play an important role.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

MF : Innovation, effort, volition

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

MF : Discrimination and inattention to worthy works were the biggest obstacles formerly.

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

MF : participate in different competition and present their works.

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

MF : It is interior design of a hotel.

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

MF : I want to became originator of fusion style in architecture.

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

MF : Job commitment and time commitment

DL: How does design help create a better society?

MF : If the design is created just for personal goals and tendency it can not help the society.

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

MF : I excited about designing a hotel based on fusion style.

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

MF : Hormoz restaurant because it combine Iranian art with western one in the best way.

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

MF : reduce the price of technological ingredients and 3D printing.

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

MF : About 3 month

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

MF : In my personal studio

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

MF : Live the moment

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

MF : They both affect each other.

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

MF : Technology help designer to realize his imagination and of course inform him about all new material and design methods.

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

MF : 3D MAX, Rhino ceros, Auto CAD, Photoshop, illustrator

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

MF : Each items could affect on visual aspects of design differently, for example color is used for emphasize or reach a level of integration, materials for making harmony and ambient plays an important role in designing form.

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

MF : I just wish people do not ask me to share their taste in design.

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

MF : I appreciate innovation and ingenuity of designer.

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

MF : It depends on the amount of effectiveness that co designer has, if both play the same role in design it is reliable.

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

MF : Other designers and architects.

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

MF : Visual art basis.

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

MF : Thinking modern is the best way of developing your skills.

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

MF : The first subjection my mind after looking to this question was about a book which i read it few days ago named ‘ Step by step up to Union With God ’.

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

MF : Of course it is not easy why as every one expect you to be spacial so you are kept away from your comfortable style.

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

MF : Blue, environment, salad, autumn, music, apple

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

MF : When I show the design to the clients and they appreciate it I feel great.

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

MF : When a designer look at the final product of his design it is make him excited and motive him to act better.

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

MF : I can not reply surely to this question but I love lego and constructive toys in my childhood.

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

MF : I concern about future as I know in progress of technology which human reach is comfort but not peace.

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

MF : I recommend to every one experience passionate about their career as a designer.