Hermann Kamte

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Hermann Kamte ("HK") 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?

HK : Hermann Kamte & Associates is a young team especially comes from a wide variety educational experience in the field of Architecture and Design. This variety helps us to make every project better than the last.

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

HK : We sincerely think that design and architecture can change the world, particularly the lifestyle of people. The highest interest is to see how the process and the result can make people happy. A good example is to observe people when they walk along famous streets or exotic environments. At this level you can understand, the world is better because of the genius of architects and designers. Now the challenge for us is bringing new approach to the industry, especially in Africa where Architecture is still young.

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

HK : Yes, By Choice The most important is each person needs to make what they really like… You need to do something you like or something you can do for free with the same happiness because no one can really pay your time or your passion at its just value. This is a truth.

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

HK : We are working on several stages of the design, from the small at the large scale of the project. We are designing in the field or Architecture, Design, Landscape but the most loving field is research aspect. The pledge for us is to create a better human experience to enhance people’s lifestyle.

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

HK : We can say, be concentrated, dare to fail and work hard.

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

HK : A great designer works to reinvent currents process by bringing its own and unique subtle expression.

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

HK : A good design is at the same time functional and aesthetic, but its most powerful expression is the moment where you can see this expression on audiences ‘Wow, Who make this design? How does it make it? I want to get one.’ Now, you have changed people environment and experience.

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

HK : Life is a journey for all of us, a good design keeps this trip interesting, useful and fun. If you can do something better as much as possible, you have to do it.

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

HK : We would like to design for communities through the world who don’t have any access to dwelling, food, water, electricity, secure environment and basic facilities as school. Especially in Africa, facilities and equipment are growing slower than urban fabric.

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

HK : To build a better world remains the priority. There is no particular design for that but there’s a strong community spirit in this vision. In spite of our diversity through the world, peace, love, compassion, unity and solidarity stay among the best values.

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

HK : Sensibility and emotion are the secret ingredients.

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

HK : Bjarke Ingels, Sir David Adjaye, Vincent Callebault, Vo Trong Nghia, Ma Yansong, Thomas Heatherwick…

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

HK : Designs that create a strong experiential and emotional connection with nature and people. Pieces need to have big and bold concepts and processes.

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

HK : Our Greatest design is the next.

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

HK : The first element is to get an open mind, always listen and understand other points of view. Curiosity, learning, audacity, Failures will build you in time. Always get open eyes on the world evolution and always make your own objective criticism on your designs.

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

HK : Businessman.

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

HK : Design is a travel and research process which allows you to discover yourself and understand the world. Design is a subtle light touch which can transform the world or the perception of usual attitude or daily routines.

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

HK : No one, growing as a Self-taught.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

HK : Being inspired by famous designers as Bjarke Ingels or Sir Adjaye OBE. Learning aside best friends as Johnson Michée Christian, a brilliant young architect from the Ivory Coast.

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

HK : What is a design? How to make a good design with everyday challenges? How to solve the problem through each project? How to become a winner?

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

HK : There is no particular way; the most important thing is to connect your project with the audience. Communication is the most powerful weapon; believe in you and your projects.

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

HK : Limnology and Desalination Centre – The regeneration of the Lake Chad Industrial complex/Pharmaceutical Factory – The future of Workplaces in industrial design

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

HK : To build a world each time better than the last.

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

HK : To build a world each time better than the last.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

HK : Useful and funny designs always help to enhance the lifestyle of users. As we say above, Life is a journey, we have to benefit from this travel.

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

HK : We are working on Industrial Complex, and the client decides to stay confidential at this level, because it is the first kind of this project in this region of the world. We are very excited by the challenge for our young firm but we can tell you more now. We also work on an experimental project about the regeneration of Lake Chad, it is a research project.

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

HK : Lagos’s Wooden Tower really seduces the world and particularly African communities. As an emerging voice in the industry, we are a bit satisfy for it recognition through the world. The design was inspired by local culture Yoruba and new construction technic which wood structure.

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

HK : We like surprise; especially how technology and virtual reality will influence the Design Industry?

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

HK : Technology and virtual reality are already seriously influence the design. The world and lifestyle, as we know, will drastically change. Maybe we will live on the Moon or on Mars. The architect of the future will be different.

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

HK : Difficult to determinate, each project has its own constraints.

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

HK : Talk with clients is the important, but understand practices of future users aside and combined with clients need is the most important action to do. Who is the Client? What they want? What is the best way to make it?

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

HK : Make it simple as much as possible

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

HK : The duality is the design sets the trends and at the same time trends set the designs.

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

HK : Technology is very important step in our process when we work. An example ‘Automation is very useful in practice for users and ergonomic in terms of consumption, it is very sustainable’.

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

HK : Archicad, Artlantis, Rhino, Adobe Creative Suite.

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

HK : Use colors, materials, and ambiance as tools to create successful designs are like created a new nature on the existing.

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

HK : What is the main Idea? What is the process to implement it? What are the results? How do you transform ideas into results?

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

HK : Why didn’t I think of that? – ‘Wow, Congratulations to the designer or design team!’

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

HK : Could you build the world alone? Noooo….We believe In Co-design. But now the ideal partners will be strong background and experience levels, multidisciplinary and talents.

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

HK : We can count clients, Team members, Friends and some people out of the industry.

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

HK : We can count clients, Team members, Friends and some people out of the industry.

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

HK : Dare to fail, try new experience, don’t worry about unknown, work hard, keep trying and move forward.

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

HK : Sir David Adjaye OBE

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

HK : We are honoured with these awards and recognition; they keep us awake and help us to give the best part of our creativity.

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

HK : These are depending on emotions and time.

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

HK : When you give the best part of you, each project becomes different and funny journey.

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

HK : The simple fact to contribute to the shaping of a better world is a great motivation.

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

HK : Yes and No, Design is at both time simple and complex…..Children are innocent soldiers with big ideas as Generals… They just want to be important and useful for society in the future, the field of industry is not often very important when you are 3 years old.

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

HK : The world as we learn in history and other science is a big cyclic bubble, Only forms are changing, fond is the same, human are the same after millennia, at now human considerably influence the shaping of the world. The probability is restarted with new ideas, get back to basics, and start a new cycle.

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

HK : We can say; believe in yourself and your projects, if you work hard you will get results. At the end of all, believe in the capacity of your designs to change the world.