Mario Taepper

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Mario Taepper ("MT") 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?

MT : I have studied art in Berlin and so aswell I came into contact with design. I founded my own company MM Design Edition. I started to design accessories.

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

MT : It was always my aim to create something that survives me. That was my greatest motivation.

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

MT : I choosed it myself.

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

MT : Accessoireis and lamps.

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

MT : Every designers should find his answer.

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

MT : If you never getting tired watching good design and you always get the same emotions.

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

MT : Difficult question.

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

MT : Good design survives all times.

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

MT : That I cannot specify.

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

MT : I like very much what the BAUHAUS people did.

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

MT : My lamp TUBI. Meanwhile 30 years on the market.

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

MT : Nothing important.

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

MT : What is simple and beautyful.

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

MT : I had no supporter. I wished I had had one.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

MT : I am not so arrogant naming me a great designer.

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

MT : That you depend on one personal opinion.

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

MT : No answer.

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

MT : A new glas collection for one of the eldest companies for crystal gals in Russia.

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

MT : To see this glas collection on the marvket.

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

MT : I cannot answer this quetsion !

DL: How does design help create a better society?

MT : I don't if design creates a better society, because good design is not cheap.

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

MT : See answer 22.

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

MT : It is always the last one !

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

MT : That is very difficult to answer because we don't know where our world is going. The future will we totally different to what we have now. Perhaps future needs no more design ?!

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

MT : That depends . Sometimes faster sometimes slowlier.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

MT : Like Albert Einstein said: Design must be as simple as possible but not simplier.

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

MT : Difficult to anwer.

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

MT : This is my secret.

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

MT : These questions are answered by trends researchers.

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

MT : How did you come to this idea ?!

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

MT : Why did'nt I this idea ?

DL: Who is your ideal design partner? Do you believe in co-design?

MT : I always worked by myself.

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

MT : think it was the literature about the BAUHAUS.

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

MT : I just followed my natural instinct.

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

MT : Difficult question.

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

MT : No , I am just thankful !

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

MT : black and white, la Provence, pasta and risotto, summer, Armani.

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

MT : As I designed my salt/pepper shaker TWO IN ONE I was going around before I went to a concert. I saw i a window a salt and pepper shaker from Jensen/Denmark. I said to myself that must be done something easier. The whole concert I was thinkin and listing to the music. At the end I said to my wife, that's it . The same night I made a model.

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

MT : Hearing classical music and use my eyes and looking around.

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

MT : I was always woking with all sorts of boxes but my father did not mention it , he had the only idea me becoming a doctor.

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

MT : If I would know I would tell you .

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

MT : I don't know if I have some.And if "yes" I would appreciate that they like what I do.