Tracie Sudesh

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Tracie Sudesh ("TS") 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?

TS : I started my career in fashion. From fashion, it led me into product design, product development, creative direction, design strategy, branding and now I am also involved in user-centered design.

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

TS : I love exploring ideas, it’s very challenging. I wasn’t into a corporate job.

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

TS : I chose design.

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

TS : I design fashion, graphic, product, brand, concepts and I wish to design more UX projects.

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

TS : To wait for the right time and be at the right place.

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

TS : A good designer may not understand the structural and complexities of realizing his designs, compared to a great designer.

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

TS : To understand it from the designers’ perspective. I look at its aesthetics and I try to understand its functionality. This is only to see the simplicity versus its complexity versus its quality

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

TS : Superior quality and aesthetically advanced or timeless. It was well thought of, a lot of research was put into it and you know that it is not sub-standard.

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

TS : I would like to design the user interface in automobiles and I would especially like to do it for Mercedes Benz.

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

TS : A fashion brand in Spain called PROJECTNEGRO.

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

TS : To be calm in high stress situations.

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

TS : My logo. The absolute busts of the four Dobermann Pinschers sitting at its gradient form a visually strong signature element.

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

TS : Try to be recognized for what you do. I worked towards gaining respect for my work.

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

TS : In order for a product to function to its highest standards, it has to be complex in its structure with opposed features.

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

TS : God, my family, friends, past employers, present employers, colleagues, clients, suppliers, factories, manufacturing partners, creative agencies, studios and production houses. My wife, kids and family are my biggest supporters.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

TS : My determination and persistence in life.

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

TS : The need to prove what I was capable of

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

TS : Clear and concise manner. One should provide the design and its solution.

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

TS : To be advanced in design methodologies.

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

TS : Being influential.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

TS : Responsible design ethics to be conscious about social and environmental impact.

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

TS : There are two actually. LUSTRO. It gave me the opportunity to collaborate with class A suppliers, manufacturers, agencies in all aspects and to grow something from concept to multiple brick and mortar stores internationally as well as designing every aspect of it, including its products. LILA Exogen. It is a high performance sportswear that involved a lot of science and technology. It is the future for training high performance athletes. It is the only one in the world with proven results and success rate.

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

TS : The medical technologies and solutions.

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

TS : I see it moving towards an advanced digital world. World of cyborgs.

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

TS : It really depends on its timeline and project, a graphic work can be finalized in a few hours.

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

TS : I start by living in it by going out a lot, absorbing all the energy.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

TS : “Simplicity. The Art of Complex Design”.

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

TS : Definitely design.

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

TS : Evidently, in all aspects.

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

TS : Word, Excel, Powerpoint. Keynote, Numbers, Pages. Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Bridge. Balsamiq, Omnigraffle, POP, InVision, AxureRP, Sketch, Sublime Text, Github. Mix Media, Sketching, Paper, Drawing Pens, Pencils, Markers, Sharpies, Colour Pencils, Pastels, Water Colours, Ink, Acrylic, Rulers, Scissors, Magic Tape, Post Its’, Spray Mount, Mounting Boards, Camera, Magazines, Books, Journals, Internet, Fun, Passion, Creativity & Competence and Be Alive with a Lot of Calmness!

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

TS : It’s subliminal. So it’s very crucial.

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

TS : How do I get a hold of it?

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

TS : The amount of research put into it.

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

TS : The automobile design industry. Yes, I believe in Co-design.

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

TS : My mom. She told me when I was in college, “Design something that people would use”.

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

TS : I always looked for details. I trained myself to understand the designer’s perspective.

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

TS : Leornardo Da Vinci

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

TS : I get even with the design and I come to peace with it.

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

TS : My favourite colour, without a doubt Black. Place- New York. Food- Steaks, Thing- Porsche 911 Carrera and Brand- Mercedes Benz.

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

TS : We visited a factory in a country a few years back. Our supplier picked us up from an airport and we worked all day. We started the evening slow and partied until 6am but we were up at 9am as we were about to catch a flight to another destination. Now, the supplier who picked us up only stayed with us until midnight. He decided to drop us off at the airport the next day. On the way to the airport, I realized that we were heading the wrong way and I asked him if it was another route. By then he realized that he was heading in the opposite direction to another airport 150 miles away. We decided to proceed and buy another ticket and we were laughing all they way to the airport. When we reached the airport, as we were trying to buy another ticket, we realized that our ticket wasn’t until the next day. So we were actually at the wrong airport on the wrong date. It was hilarious. That whole 14 days trip was a hilarious rollercoaster ride. I will never forget it. Was it worth it? Yes.

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

TS : Celebrating it with my family and friends.

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

TS : I don’t think so though I was quite detail oriented.

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

TS : Closer to apocalypse.

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

TS : You can reach me at: Website: www.traciesudesh.com Email: traciesudesh@icloud.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/traciesudesh