Jara Freund

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Jara Freund ("JF") 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?

JF : I started studying industrial design at the University of Applied Science Darmstadt in 2014. After two years of studying in Darmstadt, I did an Erasmus semester in Belgium and decided to stay. I am now in my last year and will graduate in June 2018 with a Bachelor of Industrial Design from the University of Applied Science Howest in Kortrijk. Due to studying at two different universities in different countries, I feel, I experienced the best of both education systems.

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

JF : I definitely chose to become a designer. However, it was an coincident that I even found out that this kind of profession exists. I was planning on studying architecture but then did an internship some-when during my last High school years at the design department of Braun. I learned how to sketch and got a look at the process of developing a product. I was totally fascinated and started studying industrial design at the University of Applied Science Darmstadt.

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

JF : I am still a very young designer but striving to become a design legend one day. What I learned so far: be active and don’t wait for opportunities to find you, but create them yourself.

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

JF : So far, I always had deadlines that were due after a semester or even earlier. IMNU was the first project I still worked on even after the deadline had passed. Now, one and a half years later, I can almost call the project finished. Improvement is always possible and a never-ending process.

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

JF : I start with really getting to know the product, online-research and/or analyzing different products that are on the market already. Through sketching, I produce as much irritations as possible. Mostly, I then have a sketch towards I tend the most and start over again brainstorming for iterations. I build the first ideas, then prototypes, then testing and go back because something does not work yet, so I adjust. That way, I slowly define the whole product and its details.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

JF : Find balance.

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

JF : Technology is a great medium to enhance my design process. I am a big fan of my 3D-printer. It is a great way to explore forms and make quick prototypes. That way, I get to hold the tangible product-to-be, which clears all doubts and questions I earlier had looking at the 3D-model on my screen. Being able to test ideas quickly and discover what doesn’t work accelerates discovery leading to an ideal solution.

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

JF : My laptop is my work tool number one. I work with 3D modeling softwares such as Siemens NX or Rhinoceros. I like using Keyshot to visualize my work and use the Adobe Creative Cloud likewise very often. I enjoy sketching and quick prototyping. Furthermore, I make use of a 3D printer which speeds up my design process immensely. In a relatively short time, an idea, concept, dream or invention can go from a simple thought to a produced part.

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

JF : Best case: Nothing. It should be clear and understandable to everyone.

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

JF : Dark blue might be my favourite color but this also depends on the objects themselves. The Alps are a place where I enjoy being in summer as well as in winter. I love Korean food and my favourite season is spring on the edge of summer when everyone is just happy to enjoy the sun for the first time of the year.

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

JF : As a child I was already very much into building things and a fan of DIY. For instance, I created shoes out of aluminum foil and other materials and got a tool box from my parents for my 5th birthday.