Erik Besteman

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Erik Besteman ("EB") 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?

EB : I've always drawn pictures when I was young. After many different crafts, I came into contact with computer art. Then I knew that was what I wanted to do. I'm basically self-taught but have attended classes at a design school in Rotterdam. I experience the profession in diverse studios over the years. Started in a small studio and taught the subject independently. May and may now recognise me as a professional considering my work and the duration of my work. Do still this work as loving and motivated as 20 years ago.

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

EB : My motivation was a hobby, an expression I expressed through illustration. And that has always been my drive to become and be a designer/illustrator.

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

EB : Ha, nice question. I think that I forced myself to become a designer. Or specific in my case, an illustrator. It was certainly not a real clear choice for me. It was simply something that I liked to do.

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

EB : I like technical design in the broadest sense of the word. So whether a technically and physically correct landscape has to be illustrated, or an open machine part with the right appearance of materials is the ‘same’ for me.

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

EB : Do not see yourself as small and insignificant. Create and believe in you’re one style and go for it.

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

EB : Integrity. And that’s something you see in a design.

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

EB : When is the assignment fulfilled and there is still something left over. As an additional glow over a light object.

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

EB : A good design stays longer. It is not easily influenced by time or change of rules. It stays as it were itself. That's why we think it’s so beautiful. That's why simplicity is so easily recognisable.

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

EB : I would like to design an image/illustration/expression for all people that life is not as bad as it seems.

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

EB : Maybe my answer to question 09….

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

EB : My secret recipe is that sometimes you have to do what you would never do if you would think about it. My secret ingredient is that you can be naughty.

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

EB : One of my favourites is Michael Wheelan. And an another great artist is Anton Pieck and M.C. Escher.

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

EB : I really love the Gispen chair. It’s industrial, simple and in a beautiful shape.

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

EB : There is a 3D illustration that I made of Jesus walking in the desert. It’s great because it is just a simple and rough landscape and one small figure. And the surrounding powers that small lonely figure. I really like that.

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

EB : Study. It’s amazing how much material there is on the web to give you insides of the programs you use.

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

EB : Photography or film. Something with an image!

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

EB : A design is a way to express yourself in form.

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

EB : A lot of people around me. The best lessons you can learn is to ask people who the think who you really are. Then you can let go you’re one little stupid stories about yourself.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

EB : Perseverance.

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

EB : Too much to name. There will be obstacles. That’s life. How are you with obstacles? The most and biggest obstacles are made by yourself. Start with that.

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

EB : With confidence and a smile.

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

EB : Constantly developing my skills. This is a process that I greatly appreciate. I certainly want to join the next "A Design & Award & Competition" next year. This was my first league and I learned a lot of it.

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

EB : Integrity.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

EB : The responsibility of a designer he or she has for society and the environment is that design adds something that adds value to society and the environment.

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

EB : Well, right now I ‘am building castles in 3D as an exercise for my modelling and animation skills.

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

EB : When a client is happy and satisfied with the results I have made.

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

EB : What I think and what I see now are two different developments. Not all designs are based on an addition for man and environment.

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

EB : Depends strongly on the question asked about the design. Sometimes you also need to make a semi-finished product (3D print), and then you are working on the technical aspect of the design. And that takes also some time.

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

EB : Mostly I started with some rough sketches. After that, I make my first models.

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

EB : I think that that is something nobody really knows and some people really believe the know.

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

EB : An important one. For making photorealistic 3D illustrations you need to know a lot about computing, software and in my case some physical knowledge.

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

EB : I work a lot with Cinema 4D and plugins, the Adobe packages and Vue Infinity. It all works on the Mac.

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

EB : In 3D light is the most important. Materials/textures are second and third is the camera angle.

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

EB : Just that. What a great design or product.

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

EB : I don’t come up with a name and yes, I believe in co-design. And… mostly I work alone.

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

EB : The one who had the most positive criticism.

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

EB : Study. It’s amazing how much material there is on the web to give you insides of the programs you use.

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

EB : No, it’s not hard to be famous because I don’t feel that way. Am I really famous? In the Netherlands, we have a saying: Act normal, you’re acting already crazy enough.

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

EB : Colours; deep blue, orange and green. Season; summer. Thing; my Foster TH900 headphone. Brand; Apple (the have the best marketing).

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

EB : Starting with a good cup of coffee is always handy. And when you come into the flow with your design… Then it is a great day. Motivation is a short conversation with my buddy. We then set-up the day. Works great all the time.

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

EB : It was obvious that I love drawing. But it was not obvious that I would become a designer. Certainly not a great one.

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

EB : The same thing that we have seen in the past 1000 years but then in another form. We learn really slow.