Richard Kun

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Richard Kun ("RK") 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?

RK : Innovation has always been close to my heart, it was in 1992 when I won my first innovation prize - I was only 17.

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

RK : It means renewal, monitoring market trends and contant change.

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

RK : It was all my choice.

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

RK : I design plant based products - these are my passion.

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

RK : Follow their instincts.

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

RK : Great designers can make greater changes, they take more risks than just good designers.

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

RK : It's original, it's one of a kind.

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

RK : When everybody wants a piece of your product - it makes it really succesful.

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

RK : I would continue with plant based designs.

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

RK : You have time for what you really want to do - as of now, there is no project I haven't had time to realize.

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

RK : Yourself.

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

RK : Successful people with postive minds inspire me - not just designers, but all kind of people. E.g. Henry Ford, Tesla, Newton and Napoleon Hill.

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

RK : My sister, Adrienne Kun, and her paintings. Tesla cars

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

RK : flAVATAR - Magical Flowers. They are flowers and pot plants that glow in the dark - they are one of a kind, I'm very proud of them.

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

RK : Reading, learning, paying attention.

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

RK : Flower distributor.

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

RK : It means renewal, monitoring market trends and contant change.

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

RK : One of my high school teachers, my mentor, and my wife.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

RK : My motivation, positive mindset and never giving up.

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

RK : Always starting over after a failure.

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

RK : It depends on the product - and the product itself defines it.

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

RK : We have new flAVATAR designs coming out this year.

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

RK : I want flAVATAR - Magical Flowers to be a well-know brand all around the worls.

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

RK : Constant improvement.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

RK : By bringing people together.

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

RK : We have new flAVATAR designs coming out this year.

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

RK : flAVATAR - Magical Flowers.

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

RK : Being more environment friendly.

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

RK : I think there is no improvement without innovation - but it's all going in the right direction.

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

RK : flAVATARs took about 6-8 months.

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

RK : First comes the idea, then comes the hardest part: trying to figure out a way to bring my idea to life. It's a trial and error process.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

RK : Henry Ford said "Quality means doing it right when no one is looking." - and I totally agree with this, you should always stick to this!

DL: Do you think design sets the trends or trends set the designs?

RK : There are examples for both, but mostly trends set the designs.

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

RK : I don't use technology when designing.

DL: What kind of design software and equipment do you use in your work?

RK : Just my brain.

DL: What is the role of the color, materials and ambient in design?

RK : For my products, the most special thing about a flAVATAR is that it glows in the dark with different colours - so colours are really important here.

DL: What do you wish people to ask about your design?

RK : How I managed to create such a product.

DL: When you see a new great design or product what comes into your mind?

RK : I want one for myself.

DL: Which people you interacted had the most influence on your design?

RK : One of my high school teachers, my mentor, and my wife.

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

RK : I couldn't just pick one.

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

RK : By reading, learning, paying attention.

DL: Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?

RK : Napoleon Hill

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

RK : I don't think of myself as a famous person, but it's great that my design gets recognized.

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

RK : Yellow, black French Riviera Meat broth, Fried chicken, Meringata, Fish, Spring Armani, Guardiani, Breitling

DL: Please tell us a little memoir, a funny thing you had experienced as a designer?

RK : When I was developing the products, a dog ran into my garage where I was working and licked the substance off the flowers. It made the dog's tongue glow for a while!

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

RK : I get up and start the day with running, then go into the office and I have different meetings all day. When I get home in the evening I like to go for a walk with my 2 dogs and spend the rest of the day with my wife.

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

RK : No, it wasn't. It just turned out to be my destiny.

DL: What do you think about future; what do you see will happen in thousand years from now?

RK : If people don't pay attention the the environment, there will be no life on Earth anymore.

DL: Please tell us anything you wish your fans to know about you, your design and anything else?

RK : Check us out on www.flavatar.hu and follow us!