Alain Aebersold

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Alain Aebersold ("AA") 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?

AA : In 2016, I completed my education as a graphic designer at the School of Design Biel-Bern. Afterwards I started to work as a graphic and screen designer in a crossmedia agency in Bern. Since 2011 I live and work in Zurich. Currently I work as a art director and work for national and international clients.

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

AA : Since I was a kid, I always wanted to draw, paint and working three-dimensional. In high school I was able to visit the main topic visual arts. Afterwards I had the possibility to visit the graphic design class at the School of Design in Biel. I always wanted to work in a creative way and for me graphic design is a great way to work in this field.

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

AA : Designing was always a passion. It was a great luck that I have the opportunity to do it professionally.

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

AA : I mainly do graphic design and illustration. I also like to do web projects, simple animations and 3d.

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

AA : I don't feel like a design legend. I'm still on the way. I young designer should always be open minded and and always ready to learn.

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

AA : A great designer is always looking for new challenges and does not hesitate to learn.

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

AA : The most important point is probably whether it has something unique. And whether the chosen design makes sense in context.

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

AA : A good design has something unique and stands out from the crowd. It should also serve a purpose.

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

AA : I love projects where I can interpret something abstract visually. For example, give a face to a music album.

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

AA : I would love to work for great musicians. Or spend more time to get better in new fields like animation or 3D.

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

AA : I don't know if there is a secret ingredient. But I think passion is a important part.

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

AA : I admire Mario Hugo. You feel all the passion and the hard working background in his work. There is style but also a lot of skills.

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

AA : I love the design work of Mario Hugo or Oh Yeah Studios. They have a organic, handmade touch, and are still clean and professional.

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

AA : I'm proud of my Master Thesis work. I learned a lot about new technics and grew as a designer.

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

AA : You should always be open minded and able to learn new things. I don't lose your passion.

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

AA : I would liked to work with animals. Maybe keeping a little zoo looking after old and sick animals.

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

AA : Design is a vehicle to transport ideas, values and functions. It should not exist for an end in itself. It should serve a purpose.

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

AA : My friends, my family and of course my girlfriend.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

AA : To be open minded and able to learn new stuff.

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

AA : I'm still struggling. My biggest obstacle is my own quality claim.

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

AA : In a way that the viewer understands the idea of the design.

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

AA : i don't know what will come. But I hope, that there will be exciting projects.

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

AA : I don't have an ultimate goal. But several goals on my way to getting better.

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

AA : A professional way of working.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

AA : I don't know if design help to create a better society. But good design should help people to make their lives less complicated, more understandable and more beautiful.

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

AA : I'm currently working on a redesign of a NGO.

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

AA : Of my own work, my master thesis, Because I had the chance to grow with my work and to learn new skills.

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

AA : Design should not be judged by its price. Good design will always take its time. I hope that people will see the value of a good design in the future.

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

AA : It really depends on which devices will be popular in the future. Augmented reality could be a big deal. Then it would certainly need a new way of information design.

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

AA : It really depends on the project.

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

AA : First I always start with a visual and thematic research. I try to find my inspirations in a wide field. I do little, quick sketches to note my ideas. Afterwards I start with mood designs.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

AA : Always be able to learn something new.

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

AA : I think it's an interaction. But I do not know what was first.

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

AA : I like working with new technologies to get new results and create new visuals.

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

AA : I work with Adobe Creative Suite for Layouts, logos and image editing. I'm now learning Sketch for bigger websites and Axure for wireframing. And I always try to get better with 3D programs.

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

AA : It's an important part. But the whole thing is more than the sum of its parts.

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

AA : I would ask people what they associate with my designs.

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

AA : Why did not I have the idea myself?

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

AA : An ideal partner is someone who complements me. Which is the opposite of me, but still able to work constructively with me. I yes, I do believe in co-design.

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

AA : Maybe my teacher at the art school. He always reminded us that we still have much to learn.

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

AA : Maybe Haruki Murakami, because his books are always a little surreal.

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

AA : I don't think that I'm a master designer. I'm still learning and always will be.

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

AA : I would choose Stanley Kubrick.

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

AA : Where I live, designers aren't that famous.

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

AA : My favorite color is blue, my favorite place is the swiss jura, my favorite season is autumn, my favorite thing is my phone and I don't have a favorite brand.

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

AA : Once, I forgot to switch the picture with the watermark with the paid one. All advertisements had the image provider's watermark in the background. The customer was not so happy.

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

AA : I start the day with a coffee at home. Then I walk about 20 Minutes to the office. This time aI need for myself, to plan the tasks and to structure the day.

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

AA : I always loved to draw and to build stuff. I always knew that I wanted to do something with visual design. But it was a great luck that I can really work in this field.

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

AA : In thousands of years, our solar system will be gone. But humanity maybe not. Maybe our descendants will populate the universe.

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

AA : Thank you!