Forough Pourahmad

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Forough Pourahmad ("FP") 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?

FP : I had started my art career with painting then I continued my education in Industrial Design. After getting my bachelor's degree, I did some projects about designing products and furniture. In February 2018 I concluded my graduate studies in Industrial Design. Since then, I have done research on the pleasure of use and product experience.

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

FP : I've loved creating and designing things since I was a child. I love making beautiful things. It makes me feel great.

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

FP : I have desired to be a designer for as long as I could remember. My perception of designing and my desire to become a designer directly comes from my passion to create new things.

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

FP : As I mentioned, recently I’m doing research on the pleasure of use and product experience. So I would like to design emotional products.

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

FP : From my point of view, focusing on the interests, being an observant person and practicing are the best ways to become a good designer.

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

FP : The great designers look deeper into everything so they can understand everything better and solve their problems in the most creative ways. Having this kind of attitude requires much study, practice and interest.

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

FP : Discovering the world of children and touching their needs, despite being easy at first, is in fact complicated. So design for children and evaluate their pleasure is one of my future projects. I have ideas for that in my mind, but I have not yet found the opportunity to put them into practice.

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

FP : Follow Your Passions and Success Will Follow.

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

FP : Design for me is finding new ways of making life easier and pleasurable. It is about creating solutions for people, physical items or more abstract systems to address a need or a problem.

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

FP : The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman and Designing Pleasurable Products by Patrick W. Jordan had the most effect on my designs. The first one contains examples of both good and bad design and simple rules that designers can use to improve the usability of objects. And the second one looks both at and beyond usability, considering how products can appeal to use holistically, leading to products that are a joy to own.

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

FP : My favorite color is pink. It’s the color of happiness, in fact, it’s an attitude in itself. It gets its passion and energy from red and its peace and tranquility from white. Everybody has a special place, a place where you can be you, where you find peace and serenity. One of my favorite places that will always have special importance for me is out in the woods. The way the trees sway gently in the wind with such elegance, the soft whispers of the leaves talking to each other.

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

FP : When I was a child I loved painting and creating handmade crafts. I had no idea what the design was. But my passion for art led me to the path of design.