Juan Manuel Rodriguez Prous

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Juan Manuel Rodriguez Prous ("JMRP") 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?

JMRP : I am an industrial designer from the University of Extremadura. I have worked as a design and innovation consultant and am currently design director.

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

JMRP : I have always had an interest in solving problems of any characteristic and the design is a discipline that allows me to face different problems.

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

JMRP : I chose to be a designer because I have always been interested in facing different challenges.

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

JMRP : I am a transversal designer who confronts me with designs of any discipline, communication, strategy, product or space

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

JMRP : Work hard and believe in yourself

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

JMRP : The ability to develop differential concepts

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

JMRP : The identity and justification of the design. The concept must always respond to strategic objectives

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

JMRP : The design is a fundamental tool in the search of differentiation and in the construction of mark that allows to generate income to the companies

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

JMRP : I love my profession. In the future I like to design innovations with high impact

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

JMRP : Design strategies for social education

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

JMRP : The design is always subject to the solution of problems for a given context and moment. What was 20 years ago was a revolution today is out of date. Design is sometimes a very unfair discipline. Although I think there are great timeless designs, you have to have another perspective when it comes to making judgments.

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

JMRP : I am a very demanding designer, the best design I have not yet been able to do.

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

JMRP : Design is a very thoughtful discipline, thinks and develops but above all questions what you do.

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

JMRP : Design is for me a structural way to deal with problem solving.

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

JMRP : The project manager of Surgenia Juan José Guerrero

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

JMRP : Juan José Guerrero

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

JMRP : Mainly the lack of recognition of the profession and its value

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

JMRP : The most important thing is not the result for the designer. The strategic justification of work is the key. The really important thing is to convey that the design met the established objectives.

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

JMRP : Transform the reality of companies and really be that each project is a lever of change in their industry

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

JMRP : Transform the reality of companies and achieve these goals.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

JMRP : Putting society at the center of the process, solving social needs.

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

JMRP : Currently the business design is the most attractive work frame.

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

JMRP : 8 Tickets because it has been a project with a very high uncertainty in generating a greater experience for a public that has not been attended by the wine industry.

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

JMRP : The design still has as pending subject to put in value to all the industries of its importance like constructor of value.

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

JMRP : Experience design and business design is the future.

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

JMRP : 1-6months

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

JMRP : I begin by knowing the client, his reality and his goals.

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

JMRP : It depends, design is a discipline that nurtures multiple disciplines. Sometimes it is the design that marks trends and occasions in reverse.

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

JMRP : Design and technology have always gone hand in hand. Its transforming power of society has always been accompanied by the latest technologies.

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

JMRP : Adobe design tools. 3d studio,, solid works...

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

JMRP : The materials and the color have an immense power in the perception of the objects, therefore its importance in the design is very high for me.

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

JMRP : I would like people to value not the aesthetics but the strategic component behind each project.

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

JMRP : I try to decode the objectives pursued by their identity.

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

JMRP : Co-design has as fundamental element the knowledge frames provided by the parties. Correct information management and guidance in achieving objectives are key.

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

JMRP : The client to whom it is directed always marks the line to follow in the project.

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

JMRP : Daniel goleman, Martin Lindstrom, Malcon gladwell, Daniel Kaneman

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

JMRP : I try to read all the information that I consider interesting and to train me constantly.

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

JMRP : I am not famous, the work for my clients value design as a very important element for the stability of their companies.

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

JMRP : Change the situation of companies and get them moving forward and adapting to the new realities of the market

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

JMRP : I think that yes, I always liked to face the resolution of problems of any kind.

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

JMRP : We have to work hard to make this world better. That is the responsibility of the designer and my daily goal.