Snorre Stinessen

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Snorre Stinessen ("SS") 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?

SS : I was educated as architect in Norway and Milan and started my own practice in 2005.

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

SS : I did not have a clear goal of becoming a designer or an architect, but have always had an open mind and positive attitude towards both possibilities and challenges. I have for a few years also worked at the same time in a very different business and today that has given me the insight of truly appreciating every day I have the fortune of working as an architect.

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

SS : It has indeed been a choice, although not always a very focused choice, definitely my own choice.

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

SS : Architecture with the design of buildings and building environments - both small scale and larger developments. Regardless of size I believe strongly in the importance of planning both the interior and exterior of a building as a comprehensive process. I also do interior and even furniture design - both custom made for specific projects and for production.

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

SS : Follow your own heart and your own ideas - that´s the only way to express who you really are as a designer or architect. Of course you need to learn and listen to experience, you need to study and you need to work hard; but you should always try to preserve the essence of yourself and your own approach to design.

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

SS : A great design has relevance and depth beyond just eye-catching shape or design and a great designer in my opinion works hard to realise their ideas because they believe in them.

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

SS : A really good design, in my opinion, give you a good stomach feeling.

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

SS : Good design is well considered and a meaningful answer to a function or a desired expression. It may enhance the experience not just of the object or graphics designed, but also the very elements the design is made for.

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

SS : If I had the opportunity I would love to design for children, objects or even schools, because I believe there is so much learning and inspiration to be given with an interesting and comprehensive design approach.

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

SS : That would be designing a school where you work with talented teachers to create a comprehensive platform for teaching, learning, inspiring and social interaction with design as an integrated tool in all aspects. Just think of all the elements you can utilise and play with - how opening a door to a class room can be part of teaching and understanding mathematics, the room itself can give an actual understanding of the theoretics you are studying, etc, etc..

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

SS : I believe in finding a strong conceptual idea that sits well with your stomach feeling (i.e. also subconsciously, not just analytically) and then build it stronger and not diluting it through the design process.

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

SS : Find yourself.

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

SS : My biggest supporters are my wife, children and friends.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

SS : I do not think of myself as a great designer, but hopefully I am able to design something which resonates well with other people and in particular my customers and which is an interesting answer to the individual task.

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

SS : I am fortunate to work on several very rewarding and interesting projects - hope they all will become interesting :-)

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

SS : To delivery my best work for all the projects that I am given and decide to take on.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

SS : There are so many ways to answer this. The main answer from me would have that when design is able to relay the importance of the object, function, etc that it is set in relation to, it enhances our cultural appreciations, understanding etc. In the ideal world it functions as a language more on the subconscious level than the outspoken.

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

SS : Currently working on many very interesting projects, among these an alpine skiing resort in the city of Narvik that will be hugely important for the city itself.

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

SS : Probably Manshausen, because there are so many visitors that understand the underlying thoughts behind the concept and design and at the same time just find their own peace when sitting behind the glass, floating above the moving sea.

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

SS : To me it seems too easy to become fascinated by rendered digital images of an object/design, which makes it harder to discern and also value the true fundamentals of the design approach at the basic level.

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

SS : Honestly I have not given such issues much thought. I am approaching design in my own manner and my focus is on my own creations and not what others choose to do. It is important to me that there are individual answers and designs and that this is respected. People will understand and see things differently and that is what makes the world go round :-)

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

SS : Depends on the project.

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

SS : Understanding the task, site/surroundings (if relevant) and the customer/client.

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

SS : A useful tool.

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

SS : I try to have an open mind and also be mindful of not repeating myself or my approach too much.

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

SS : Fortunately I am not famous, but in a creative work it is truly appreciated to have positive feedback on your work. Awards are certainly a fantastic positive feedback, but it also sharpens your own awareness that the work we do can - and should be - important to many. It also inspires to keep on the hard work needed on the next project, and the next after that.

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

SS : Working on interesting projects with interesting clients is all the motivation you need. The desire to find a good answer the the task or challenge I am given drives me.