Maja Myall

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Maja Myall ("MM") 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?

MM : I was a product and 3D designer before I worked with structural engineers and Architects on various hospitality projects. Designing restaurants came naturally to me; I could see potential problems and eliminate them at an early stage of the planning process. This ability propelled me to run my own team looking after Michelin star restaurants and 5 star hotels. I’ve been delivering tailored restaurants and hotels for over twenty years now. My passion for Hospitality and Retail Design has also inspired me to build a new business, Blenheim Design, focusing on delivering hospitality interiors for Restaurants and Hotels.

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

MM : Coffee and creating my clients dream restaurants. I am a happy person and motivation is never a problem. I see beauty in everything.

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

MM : Definitely a choice. As a teenager, I never thought about a career in interior design, now I cannot imagine wanting to do anything else. My parents always respected my choices and never discouraged me from my chosen path. I wanted to be product designer, than an architect and I found golden middle in interior architecture, encompassing both of my passions.

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

MM : We have been delivering interior designs predominantly in the hospitality industry because that’s our specialty and we continue to focus on. We worked in retail for awhile but hospitality is so much more challenging and reward comes from happy clients. We would love to work with hotels and vineyards.

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

MM : Believe in yourself and always design with the end user in mind. Love your work and be curious. Listen and ask questions to get to the center of the problem. We are professionals and our clients come to us with problems to solve, they may not voice them but it is our job to dig deep and get it out. Design from the heart and the rest will follow.

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

MM : Good designer creates lovely interiors but great designer solves problems. Great design will look effortless and seamless. We are advisers and problem solvers. Our decisions directly impact senses, well-being and safety of consumers, therefore our advice must be qualified and carefully measured.

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

MM : Good design is a combination of visual, tactile and usable qualities. This sounds simple however it is not so easy to achieve. Our perception of beauty changes all the time, therefore this balance between usability and beauty is requires fine-tuning by designers. Seat can be an empty crate or a plump arm-chair with soft fabric and crafted legs, both are seats and serve the same purpose, however we all know which one we would like to sit on.

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

MM : Interior designers are like surgeons, during the build phase there are lots of wires and tubes everywhere. Good designer will make sure everything fits well together and stitches can not be seen while the space aesthetically pleasing and comfortable.

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

MM : It would be nice to finally design my own house, it is always the last item on to do list.

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

MM : My dream project would be Country House Gateway. Restaurants with rooms where local produce is the center stage. I recently stayed in Hampshire and I'll be rushing back soon. They are home away from home but without chores or to do list. I treasure travel, it is my soul-food. My dream projects are always related to travel, hotels and restaurants. If you asked me this question, my answer would have been Conrad hotel F&B.

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

MM : We are sensual beings and great design feels comfortable whilst being visually pleasing. Interior designers provide functional backdrop. A while ago I read a quote by Regina Baraban and Joseph Durocher stuck with me: “… the Success of any restaurant rests squarely on a three-legged stool: Design, Food and Service. The three must pull together, and if one of the leg is broken – well, you know what happens” This quote is still relevant and rings true today as when it was first published. If you can get all three right, than you can get that buzz that makes restaurant successful year after year.

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

MM : Architect Sir John Soane is my measure of classic, although he was revolutionary for his time. Vivienne Westwood cuts are still edgy and make everyone look good. My colleague Rob is an inspiration; we will lock at the same project and see different attributes in everything we do, that’s refreshing. I always admired Pablo Picasso, he lived according to his own standards, and was creative until he died. Picasso’s “deconstruction of a bull” was the most powerful piece of art, in my humble opinion.

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

MM : My favorite design is a very humble object, designed by an engineer George Carwardine over 80 years ago. Every home, office and factory probably has one - the Angle-poise lamp. It is elegant, efficient and it stood the test of time. Functional, elegant and timeless, its perfect.

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

MM : Crikey, this is a difficult question. Right answer would be all our projects are great. Some are more challenging in operational terms and some are more technical. Right now I love interior we created for Saudi Arabian client, it is a bakery with a restaurant on the first floor. Design is centered around product, space is a backdrop to specialty pastries, teas and coffee. I love the way brand features throughout the space in subtle floor, lighting feature, ceiling. Baking is exposed and in full view of everyone, honest craft is laid bare behind the glass screen. I love it.

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

MM : Listening is the key and we like to go behind the words and tap into the emotions as well as problem solving. Make people smile, bring them happiness. Good Interior design is a wonderland taking us places we'd like to explore and come back to.

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

MM : If I asked my younger self then I would have said: product designer. Now I'd still want to do what I do but my interests have grown and I enjoy reading history and quantum physics. I can say with authority that my younger self would have been unimpressed.

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

MM : Design is everything and everywhere. Nature is brilliant designer and evolution is revision for the better.

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

MM : Collaboration and team is essential. Exchange of ideas, challenging each other and trust of my colleagues gives me strength. I love working with inspiring but technically knowledgeable individuals. We are problem solvers and advice givers, but sometime we need advice and strength comes from being unafraid to ask.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

MM : I'm still learning plus I wouldn't call myself great. I'll take your question as a compliment. Thank you.

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

MM : Getting business owners to trust me when I was just starting out. Being the only woman on the building site can be challenging. I had to work twice as hard to gain builders respect. I don't have that problem any more.

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

MM : There is no right or wrong way, whatever communicates the idea the best. We like to show our thought process through images, materials, plans and sketches before we go onto full scale technical plans and specifications. Some clients can work with plans while others need to see fully rendered visuals.

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

MM : We are working on leisure interiors and boutique hotel. We would like to create modern brasserie or glamorous hotel next.

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

MM : My ultimate goal is to create inspiring interiors which brings joy to people.

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

MM : People expect magic touch and functionality. We like to solve the functionality and inject a bit of magic and fun into our design.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

MM : People are kinder when they are happy, I like to think that we designers provide a bit of happiness.

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

MM : I'd love to say but I've signed a non-disclosure agreement.

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

MM : Project where client gave me a clear brief and left me to surprise them. They loved it so much that the owner and his wife gave me a huge hug. I made difference to their life and that is powerful.

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

MM : Future is ever so exiting. I believe that the energy efficiency will be better represented in the future. We would love to see more use of natural materials and less plastic.

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

MM : Artificial intelligence and machine learning will turn the design field on its head.

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

MM : It depends on the size and requirements of the project.

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

MM : We like to structure our approach and we start with planning the space around large inflexible areas. The process will progress with the strategic design by researching demographics, competitor landscape and clients objective.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

MM : Push boundaries and have an end user in mind.

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

MM : Design sets the trend, undoubtedly. One of the biggest challenges and advantages is an easy access to image apps, which have turned design trends into recurring standardized designs lacking originality. We don’t want to provide “cookie cutter” interior, at Blenheim design, everyone is encouraged encourage to look at parallel industries for a creative flash. We turn to fashion, product design, culture and travel for inspiration.

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

MM : Technology cannot replace creativity, and we pride ourselves on our ability to design and create without the need for computers first. That said, all of our design team are proficient with the latest 2D and 3D programs, which speed up the design process, greatly reduce waste and allow us to be a service provider wherever we are located in the world. In building industry we've seen an increase in bespoke 3D printing and rise in Artificial Intelligence.

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

MM : A handful of computer programs designed for our field, e.g. Auto-CAD, Photoshop, In-Design, Studio Max is what we require to create, and with online streaming sites like Skype we can present in real time from anywhere with internet access.

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

MM : Materials, colour and lighting play an imperative role in creating ambiance. Some material finishing technologies can instantly elevate the value of inexpensive materials. Good example is plating, it provides lightweight reflective metal layer which raises the perception of value without adding additional weight.

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

MM : Ideally nothing. My old university lecturer once told me, if you have to explain your design then it doesn't work.

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

MM : Usually I think: that is clever, why didn't I think of that?

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

MM : I am a strong believer in co-designing, bouncing ideas and working together. Sharing ideas and reviewing project development internally between the design team ensures that we are maintaining our high standards.

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

MM : My old design mentor, he is now retired, thought me to look at everything, evaluate and break boundaries. I have to remind myself every now and then, to stop and look. Solutions and beauty are all around us, we just have to find them.

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

MM : 'S,M,L,XL' by Rem Koolhaas and Bruce Mae influenced me when I was at Faculty of Arts, 'Successful Restaurant Design' by Baraban and Durocher. I still read but I increasingly use apps.

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

MM : I wouldn't call myself a master but I did start at an Art college studying sculpture, drawing, metal , plastic and I trained in Industrial Design before studying Interior Architecture under an amazing architects; Jenny Lowe and Terry Mead. My first jobs were with Architects and Structural Engineers, where I learned so much over 3 years I was there. Hospitality Interior design agency snapped me up and I quickly progressed to Associate role before setting up Blenheim Design Ltd. I was lucky to work with highly talented people.

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

MM : I was lucky to have met David Collins. I'd love to have informal chat with Kelly Hoppen. Mr Da Vinci is high on my list as well as Mersad Berber.

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

MM : I don't think I am famous but I am always humbled by the recognition. It is lovely and heart warming to receive an award and be recognized for the hard work.

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

MM : Rich Blue, Diving in Red Sea, Asian food, Autumn (Northern Hemisphere), my dads wrist watch, Tesla - at the moment.

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

MM : Coleague and I once slept on the office floor with only fabric samples for cover. We were working late to meet project deadline.

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

MM : Coffee and office colleagues are great motivators. Our studio has a lot of positive vibe, good music and coffee is always on the go, we work hard and positive attitude and sense of community is a great motivator.

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

MM : Family always considered me to be "the creative one". Not sure about the great designer.

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

MM : Look how far we've come in the last thousand years. We'l be good at telepathy. Id love to think we'll be time travelers.

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

MM : I'd love to hear from them.