Luis Fernando Garcia Ojeda

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Luis Fernando Garcia Ojeda ("LFGO") 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?

LFGO : Architecture undergrad in Mexico City, and Merida Yucatan, Lighting and furniture Design in Buenos Aires Argentina, Sustainable Built Environment in Sydney, Australia.

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

LFGO : The ability to create and built different environments, to affect in a possitive way to humans and the environment.

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

LFGO : Choose to become a designer.

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

LFGO : Residential and small multifamiliar developments. I wish we can design functional sustainable communities.

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

LFGO : Follow their dreams and work hard to achieve them.

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

LFGO : The ability to affect in a positive way.

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

LFGO : Scale, materiality, and human feeling inside the built environment.

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

LFGO : Good design can affect in a positive way to our daily life and activities.

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

LFGO : Anyone who wants to built their dream house.

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

LFGO : Sustainable community.

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

LFGO : Listen carefully to clients necessities, and surprise them with a good design in their budgets.

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

LFGO : Mies Van Der Rohe, Toyo Ito, Tadao Ando. Kengo Kuma

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

LFGO : The Barcelona Pavilion, The simplicity and purity of the materials in complete harmony with the inner space, and tranquillity feeling inside the space.

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

LFGO : Casa PM, The constant contact with nature in each space.

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

LFGO : Trust your feelings and express yourself.

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

LFGO : Comercial Pilot.

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

LFGO : The ability to create and express our inner thought reflected in artistic creations

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

LFGO : My Family

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

LFGO : Travelling, and the ability to see details in each object, or space.

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

LFGO : Clients trusting you to built their houses.

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

LFGO : Clear and creative.

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

LFGO : Residential House, to maintain or improve our approach to reach sustainable projects.

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

LFGO : Affect positively to our clients.

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

LFGO : To keep improving and giving good project to all the clients.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

LFGO : Architectural design can change the way we behave and how we react to different spaces. Helping to live and achieve a healthier and sustainable life.

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

LFGO : Ecologic Hotel

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

LFGO : Every project that is well accepted from the beginning.

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

LFGO : To achieve sustainability in every aspect.

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

LFGO : Sustainability

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

LFGO : Design process 3 to 4 months.

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

LFGO : site visit, and clients briefing.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

LFGO : Nature design.

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

LFGO : Design sets trends.

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

LFGO : To represent our vision into a familiar image to the clients.

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

LFGO : Autocad, Sketchup.

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

LFGO : The most important element to provoque ambient and feelings inside every project will be reflected by the used of specific materials and colors in the walls, flooring, and ceiling.

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

LFGO : Can you design something similar?

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

LFGO : I wish I can co-design something with those people.

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

LFGO : Yeah, of course, it is always a great idea to co-design with a great minded designer.

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

LFGO : People from different backgrounds, nationalities, or style.

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

LFGO : The architecture of Hapiness

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

LFGO : Studing, experimenting, and thinking out of the box.

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

LFGO : Mies Van Der Rohe

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

LFGO : I'm glad people appreciate our work

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

LFGO : Black, Tokyo, Beach, Sushi, Summer, art supplies, Moleskine

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

LFGO : Put out a fire on site, was one of the most extreme experiences in the field.

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

LFGO : Solving new problems, and challenges. Studing or researching something new for a specific project.

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

LFGO : No at all.

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

LFGO : I hope cities and architecture become sustainable in every aspect.

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

LFGO : I'm always open to co-design with great minded designers, in every field.