GERMAN JAUREGUI
LEGENDARY INTERVIEW
Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer German Jauregui ("GJ") 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?
GJ : Industrial designer from Potificia Universidad Javeriana Bogota Colombia, 20 years experience in furniture design.
DL: What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?
GJ : an interior feeling to express my creativity. I was attracted by the possibility to transform and make a better place to live in.
DL: Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?
GJ : It was my decision, actually initially I thought during my school time that I would study to become a doctor. Some influence of creative people around my favorite sport put me in the line of design. It was by accident.
DL: What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?
GJ : I have a clear line in furniture design, I wish to design furniture with a futuristic approach. Something that challenge the traditional way to do things.
DL: What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?
GJ : To persist. Design is a long learning process, you never finish to learn, but there is a point that you get the experience to put you in the right position.
DL: What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?
GJ : Vision, a different way to see around us.
DL: What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?
GJ : functional, a change form traditional shapes forms and materials, wow factor and realistic manufacturing process.
DL: What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?
GJ : because bad design cost more money.
DL: What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?
GJ : I would like to design new work environments for companies like Vitra.
DL: What is the dream project you haven’t yet had time to realize?
GJ : Modular housing. I think Industrial design can transform the way to build houses.
DL: What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?
GJ : passion, it is necessary to feel it and see it before you make the first line.
DL: Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?
GJ : Charles Eames, Chadwick, Eero Aarnio, Frank Gehry
DL: What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?
GJ : Long chair + ottoman charles eames, chaise lounge Le corbusier. Besides the years they are always a good piece. It is never old.
DL: What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?
GJ : Nico cot, because is a new way to make baby cots with great benefits.
DL: How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?
GJ : I still think I need to find that. I haven't done anything different than to express my passion.
DL: If you hadn’t become a designer, what would you have done?
GJ : Architect
DL: How do you define design, what is design for you?
GJ : Design is the art to create objects to make people happy.
DL: Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?
GJ : My family. There is always inspiration there.
DL: What helped you to become a great designer?
GJ : Keep open my mind about learning new things all the time.
DL: What were the obstacles you faced before becoming a design master?
GJ : Thinking in a global way instead of a specific region. Design must be global
DL: How do you think designers should present their work?
GJ : explaining the process would help understanding the result.
DL: What’s your next design project, what should we expect from you in future?
GJ : New material and experimentation for the baby industry.
DL: What’s your ultimate goal as a designer?
GJ : To design products that fit all the international standards. Global design
DL: What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?
GJ : Better understanding about what they really need .
DL: How does design help create a better society?
GJ : Making life better in the way we develop our daily activities. Always is a way to make it better. That would bring satisfaction in people and avoid thinking in how to do it, instead of enjoying life with people.
DL: What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?
GJ : New technologies and new materials. experimentation process.
DL: Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?
GJ : Probably my first work station, I found that I was able to transform.
DL: What would you like to see changed in design industry in the coming years?
GJ : More design with real intention, not just one more design of the same.
DL: Where do you think the design field is headed next?
GJ : influenced by technology.
DL: How long does it take you to finalize a design project?
GJ : The design process is very fast, just few months, the development of the idea can take up to 2 years.
DL: When you have a new design project, where do you start?
GJ : I need to understand what people do currently and how they interact in what exist in the market.
DL: What is your life motto as a designer?
GJ : to express solutions in a honest way. I can't design something if I am not convince about it.
DL: Do you think design sets the trends or trends set the designs?
GJ : Design set a trend, then many other will follow this trend
DL: What is the role of technology when you design?
GJ : this what makes the difference with good manufacturing
DL: What kind of design software and equipment do you use in your work?
GJ : Solidworks
DL: What is the role of the color, materials and ambient in design?
GJ : they are the tools to express an idea
DL: What do you wish people to ask about your design?
GJ : Nothing, the design must speak by it self.
DL: When you see a new great design or product what comes into your mind?
GJ : recognition that is always a better way to do everything we do.
DL: Who is your ideal design partner? Do you believe in co-design?
GJ : The ideal design partner is not a designer, is somebody who can help in taking a product to people's hands
DL: Which people you interacted had the most influence on your design?
GJ : family, my son, this is why I decided to design baby furniture.
DL: Which books you read had the most effect on your design?
GJ : Design History. Is important to understand where are we coming from.
DL: How did you develop your skills as a master designer?
GJ : still in the process, just the experience give you the skill, this not in the books.
DL: Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?
GJ : All the people involved in the Bauhaus movement, pure design
DL: How do you feel about all the awards and recognition you had, is it hard to be famous?
GJ : I don't think I am but it is great to have a recognition about your work
DL: What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?
GJ : Blue, manly beach Sydney Australia, Pork belly, sommer, Cars , Aston Martin DB 10
DL: Please tell us a little memoir, a funny thing you had experienced as a designer?
GJ : First exhibition of my last design, all the parents wanted to put the baby inside the cot and take photos.
DL: What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?
GJ : To see a smile in people faces when they see what I have created
DL: When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?
GJ : Not at all.
DL: What do you think about future; what do you see will happen in thousand years from now?
GJ : We will be leaving in other planets, humanity will expand without limits.
DL: Please tell us anything you wish your fans to know about you, your design and anything else?
GJ : I am just a normal person with a different mind, I always challenge my thoughts when is about design. This is not an easy profession, and needs a lot of patience to succeed.
