Jose Roca

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Jose Roca ("JR") 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?

JR : I graduated in 2013 as a Product Design Engineering from EAFIT University in Medellin, Colombia. After I did a design management Specialization. Subsequeltly moved to Milan to get my Master of Science in Interior and Product Design from SPD (Scuola Politecnica di Design). I had a 1 year internship in a designs studio in Milan and moved back to Colombia to become partner at Totem 3d and dictate class at the school of design in EAFIT University.

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

JR : I became a designer because I want to contribute to the world creating objects that take the user out of their routine.

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

JR : Since a litte kid I was creating and inventing random machines and artifacts. So I would say I didn't choose, neither I was forced. But I was born to become a designer

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

JR : I design daily object, that can be found in any house. I wnt to design more of these objects filled with historical and cultura heritage.

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

JR : Design something that express yourself. That when you see it can be related inmediaty with you.

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

JR : Great designer is eyecatching, give smart solutions,

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

JR : In terms on how it impact the user on its experience.

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

JR : Good ddesign makes life easiers, and enjoyable.

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

JR : I would like to design a surreal homeware collection for Alessi.

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

JR : Create unspected reactions.

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

JR : Achille Castiglioni, Gerrit Rietveld, Ettore Sottsass, Ross Lovegrove, Michael Graves, Charles Eames.

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

JR : Achille Castiglioni's Sella stool. I consider it so simple but yet so cleaver and full of meaning.

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

JR : Be curious and ask "why?" to the world.

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

JR : Probably doctor.

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

JR : Design is a process of organizing ideas to make life better in any aspect of a journey.

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

JR : My parents, teachers adn friends who always supported me with advice and courage to continue.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

JR : I do not consider myself a great designer yet. I am making my way to it.

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

JR : Learning understand the needs of the user.

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

JR : Adapt to the situation. Change your speech depending on who you are talking to and alway go with a big smile.

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

JR : I am already working on a desklamp.

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

JR : To get in history books. One day my name will be told in design classrooms.

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

JR : to be open with knowledge and willing to help others that are starting as once i did.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

JR : Is the way we think and plan the future. Design is the process to get better as individuals an society.

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

JR : I am working on a project of 3d visual representation.

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

JR : TAMSA. Is my first A'Design Award.

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

JR : Stop copying.

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

JR : The design is moving to the digital era. Working focused on service design.

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

JR : Depend on the client and budget. Normaly takes between 2-6 months.

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

JR : Researching needs of the user. Trying understand their beheavior.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

JR : Curious of the world, Curious of life

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

JR : Depending on the industry it can change this concept.

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

JR : Depending on the project, technology can me seen as the milestone for the project.

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

JR : Creo, 3D Max, Photoshop, Illustrator.

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

JR : It set the basis to define the mood that will be provoque on the viewer/user.

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

JR : Tell the story.

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

JR : "how i did'nt had that idea before?"

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

JR : Someone propositive that fill my flaws.

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

JR : My teachers from SPD.

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

JR : Practice.

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

JR : Charles Eames, Achille Castiglioni, Mondrian, Rothko.

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

JR : I try to be humble about it and continue working.

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

JR : Red-Blue, the botanic garden of my city, Pizza, Autum, a pen/pencil, Alessi.

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

JR : Once I was in a furniture and consturction exhibition in Bogotá, Colombia where Ross Lovegrove was going to give a private presentation. So to get in the conference i became friend of the organizers the day of the presentation and helped them set the plance. In the end i could get in even though i wasn't invited.

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

JR : The progress that i've made untill now motivate me to continue trying to make it better.

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

JR : I always knew i wanted to create new objects and inventions, not necessarily as a designer, nut as a cientific.

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

JR : The humans will be living in other planets. Maybe not with this phisical form.

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

JR : I have problems to sleep, i go late to bed and wake up super early. Waking up earlier if i have some pending duties. Also i am always worried about time (not to be late, to do everything i want).