dipl. Ing Zuzana Mantel

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer dipl. Ing Zuzana Mantel ("DIZM") 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?

DIZM : I've been drawing for as long as I can remember. I graduated from a secondary technical school of construction engineering and after that I studied at a technical university - industrial design. Study all your life.

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

DIZM : Nature, culture and society. I love science fiction literature.

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

DIZM : I decided to be a designer. We did some creativity test on a chair at school. After creating it, my professor suggested I try industrial design exams. So I did.

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

DIZM : What also interested me. Furniture, interior, clothing, jewelry, glass, industrial products, graphics.

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

DIZM : Have an open mind and an open heart. Collaboration and support is the main key to realizing ideas.

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

DIZM : Great idea, the X factor

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

DIZM : Timelessness

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

DIZM : Glass objects

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

DIZM : Glass sculptures

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

DIZM : Authenticity

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

DIZM : Le Corbusier, Leonardo da Vinci, Zaha Hadid, Elsa Schiaparelli, Antoni Gaudi, Philippe Starck

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

DIZM : Marcel Breuer / chairs

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

DIZM : The Barcelona chair from Mies van der Rohe

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

DIZM : Be authentic with yourself, dare your intuition.

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

DIZM : Veterinarian

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

DIZM : Everything around us

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

DIZM : My teachers and the wisdom of the people around me.

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

DIZM : Self-doubt

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

DIZM : With confidence

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

DIZM : Glass Vases

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

DIZM : Always be surprised and keep an open mind.

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

DIZM : People should not expect, they should find the explorer in themselves and let themselves be surprised.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

DIZM : If a person surrounds himself with things that are timeless and cares for them with love, then that is all.

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

DIZM : I study metallurgical glass technology and the combination of different techniques and materials.

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

DIZM : Projects where I can fully unleash my imagination and be an explorer.

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

DIZM : aesthetics, joy and more playfulness

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

DIZM : To nature and amorphousness to compensate cyberspace.

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

DIZM : It depends on the complexity of the project

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