Kyra Clarke

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Kyra Clarke ("KC") 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?

KC : I hold a Bachelor of Visual Communication (Hons) majoring in Graphic Design.

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

KC : I was working at an Architecture firm and was involved in a logo design project. That was it for me! I applied to study Graphic Design at University and the rest is hostory.

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

KC : Chose to.

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

KC : Brand identities, publications, frameworks, websites. I do love designing for print. Especially specially printed collateral. I am a very tactile person so bringing designed things to life is quite an obsession of mine.

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

KC : Never think you can't do something. Try, try and try again. Hard work pays off eventually.

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

KC : Their craft, attention to detail and approach to design.

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

KC : Merit can be given on how clever it is, how beautiful it is or what story it tells. It is very subjective - much like art.

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

KC : Because poorly designed collateral can give a bad impression and compromise a brand or company's core messaging and reputation.

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

KC : I would like to work with Nike, Adidas or FIFA.

DL: What is the dream project you haven’t yet had time to realize?

KC : The whakapapa/geneology of Threaded. It's evolution from birth.

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

KC : To me the secret ingredient is always the people involved, they bring something unique to the project - whether it is ideas, skills or context. If you can harness this the project will always succeed.

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

KC : I have a mix of artists and designers. An artist I recently discovered from NZ during the 60's-80's whose style is so timeless and evoking is Cliff Whiting (his piece Tangaroa) feels so modern, yet was done 42yrs ago (my whole lifetime ago!). Other design masters/Tohunga from here I draw inspiration from are Rangi Kipa, Carin Wilson & Bernard Makoare.

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

KC : I have found myself gravitating towards Māori and indigenous designers more in these past 10 years. I find their story-telling techniques through motif and form so powerful, like an inherited super power passed down to them by their ancestors.

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

KC : At this moment I feel like Threaded Ed.21, the Te Pō and Tē Ao Mārama Issue is (https://www.threaded.co.nz/threaded-ed21). It incorporates visual, augmented, and sonic design queues to communicate very complex cultural narratives as holistic and integrated systems.

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

KC : If you fail, learn from those failings. Surround yourself with talented people. Share your creative challenges - we develop creative ideas better when not working in silos.

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

KC : Architecture

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

KC : It is my reason for getting up in the morning. It is a part of who I am and who I want to be.

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

KC : My Mother, my partner, my friends and my tutors.

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

KC : Losing my virginity (Richard Branson). Inspired me to start Threaded magazine.