Andras Kelemen

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Andras Kelemen ("AK") 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?

AK : I went to a secondary school that specializes in art. You were required to choose a practical subject alongside mandatory subjects. I enrolled in the furniture design group, where for four years I had the opportunity to study the philosophical and technical aspects of the profession. from there, the road lead straight to the University of Applied Arts in Vienna, where I am currently studying industrial design and am graduating this year.

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

AK : I have always wanted to be a designer. I only chose a specific direction within design later on, when I had a better understanding and overview of the field.

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

AK : I usually work on ideas that I can grasp and understand completely. I prefer to be involved in each step when creating something out of an idea, that way I can feel as if it's my own. Currently I am motivated by eyewear design, but I would like to design more furniture as well.

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

AK : The most important thing in my opinion is that a designer should be able to view the world around them as a child, as if they were seeing and discovering it for the first time.

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

AK : If a person can distance themself from the current design trends and question those, then they are on a steady path of showing the world their own unique style and way of thinking. It's important not to reproduce a design just because of its current popularity, as this leads to us being just one of many. Design for me is a tool for self-expression and I keep that in mind at all times.

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

AK : Creativity and perseverance are the basic principles when I am designing. There are problems that can be solved quickly with acuteness and creativity, however perseverance is key when working on a large project.

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

AK : It is important to be up to date and open to new things.

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

AK : As an industrial designer I am always balancing between art and technology. If I couldn't be a designer, I would be a sculptor because it requires continuous thinking and working with materials is a main part of sculpting.

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

AK : I have a lot of frame ideas for glasses, but I have been designing childrens' furniture recently as well, which I would like to show the world this year.

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

AK : To allow people to see the world the way I do through the items I design.

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

AK : Since my brother and I established the company I have been putting a lot of energy into designing eyewear. I am currently designing this year's collection, which is exciting, because this is the company's second collection.

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

AK : I try to keep the idea in my head as long as possible and think about potential problems, because if I have it sketched down then that already gives it a visual limitation, which I try to adhere to involuntarily. I aim to think it through thoroughly first and then start the actual design process.

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

AK : 3D programs and rapid prototyping help in creating a concept precisely and quickly.

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

AK : I usually use Rhinoceros for 3D planning and Photoshop for visualization.

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

AK : With the founder of Ic Berlin because he makes amazing eyewear. Their technical solutions regarding the frames inspired me to start designing frames in the first place.