Ali Sharifi Omid

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Ali Sharifi Omid ("ASO") 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?

ASO : I have studied industrial design at AZAD university.

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

ASO : The process of creating and the enjoyment building an idea is interesting form me.

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

ASO : I have studied industrial design by chance which was my good luck.

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

ASO : I am interested in objects that are used for home decor and will work more in future in this field.

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

ASO : They should create a photo type of their own designs so the design will become a reality and related to the audience in a better way.

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

ASO : I believe a good designer has a good knowledge of philosophy and psychology and has a greta aesthetic taste. They should also know technologies of building and the qualities of materials.

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

ASO : Beauty and simplicity are the attributes of a good design.

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

ASO : A good design like other art forms can have a positive impact on us and make us satisfied with having a product.

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

ASO : I would design a case for my favourite Iranian musician Hossein Alizadehe to keep his instruments in them

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

ASO : Designing an amphitheatre for performing Persian music quartets so that the musicians can have a better relationship with the audience.

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

ASO : There is not a secret recipe. You have to pay attention to your surrounding.

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

ASO : Charles Emaz’s famous saying that details are not just details; they will make the design is inspirational.

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

ASO : Go to the previous translation

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

ASO : I believe my last designs are the some of my best works because they have beautiful forms which have been influenced by my cultural heritage, they are modern, though.

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

ASO : I believe a good designer has a good knowledge of philosophy and psychology and has a greta aesthetic taste. They should also know technologies of building and the qualities of materials.

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

ASO : I would develop my musical skills more seriously or I would become a psychologist.

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

ASO : Designing is problem solving and creating beauty for me.

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

ASO : The lessons I have learned from my teachers, my wife’s support and the encouragement of my therapist have helped me a lot.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

ASO : Learning different design softwares, developing technical skills and a deep engagement with my own future and heritage has helped me to design more effectively.

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

ASO : The economic constraints that I have experience and I believe a good designer should not be constrained economically in order to be able to create artistically.

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

ASO : Good prototypes and rendering would make your design accessible to others.

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

ASO : I would like to develop my ideas concerting furniture design and building

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

ASO : Mass production of my designs

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

ASO : People expect designers to make their life more beautiful and enjoyable.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

ASO : A good design would make us happier and more creative and contended. These people would be more inclined to act morally . So the collection of these people would make a better society.

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

ASO : My current works are the development of my previous works of furniture design so that they would go beautifully together.

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

ASO : RAVAQ tables make me feel better because of their relation to my ancient cultural heritage.

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

ASO : I would like to include middle eastern elements into my designs to make them more popular around the world.

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

ASO : I do not have a clear idea where it is heading but I think durability is very essential because it will help our environment more.

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

ASO : It depends; between two weeks to two months

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

ASO : I first investigate the current designs and try to elevate my design beyond them.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

ASO : Attention to simplicity and authenticity is the most important in my designs.

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

ASO : I think designs should set trends

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

ASO : Technology has an important role in design so that we can divide designs to pre and post technological changes.

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

ASO : Rhino, 3Dmax and V-RAY rendering are my favourite softwares.

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

ASO : All the three factors play an important role in designing. Our environment effects our unconsciousness and therefore we feel differently regarding colour, material and form. I like materials that can be strengthened aesthetically by using older elements and the passage of time can leave positive impact on it so that the user would not get bored using it.

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

ASO : About the source of my inspiration

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

ASO : I would appreciate the innovation of the designer and then I would try to know the design itself and to look at other works by that designer. Then I would try to understand the process behind that so that I could learn it.

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

ASO : I would really like to work on a team of designers rather than working solely on my own to do all the processes from A to Z. I would say a good partner is someone who has a progressive mind for designing and is adept at implementing that.

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

ASO : Iranian architects who are seeking authenticity in their works are praiseworthy for me.

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

ASO : I do not remember now

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

ASO : I have tried not to stop learning after graduation

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

ASO : I would like to see Rumi

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

ASO : I have not received an ward so far.

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

ASO : My favourite colour is turquoise. I like forests and my favourite food is spinach with rice. My favourite season is spring and favourite brand is BMW.

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

ASO : I accidentally went to a meeting where they were waiting for another designer. They took me for that designer by mistake and after discussing their project with me they decided to give their project to us. They wanted to make booths for an exhibition. This was my first contact.

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

ASO : I would try to listen to music and read positive and energizing literature which gives hope. This would give me enough energy to work given the dire circumstances that my country is in.

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

ASO : My childhood was full of religious elements and my becoming a designer was a revolt against what was determined for us.

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

ASO : If the current destruction and militarism continues, humans will not be bale to live on this planet in future. And even if it does, it won’t be an interesting one.

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

ASO : When every possible door seems closed, there comes a new way to a new experience.