Luis de Arquer Recio

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Luis de Arquer Recio ("LDAR") 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?

LDAR : My training is self-taught and has its bases in a family environment related to aspects as diverse as architecture, engineering, painting, decoration.

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

LDAR : It is very possible that by reflecting on the bad moment that some of the artistic disciplines are experiencing due to lack of knowledge and connection with society, I have been encouraged to approach the world of design, a more lively and closer to a society more and more demanding in all aspects.

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

LDAR : Life has led me to become a designer and I appreciate it.

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

LDAR : I am interested in the designs of things that can improve the lives of people in all kinds of aspects and offer their users comfort, ease and aesthetic rest.

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

LDAR : I do not consider myself a legend ... hahaha, but if I can tell you something it is that they pursue their ideas until the end.

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

LDAR : As in any profession, perseverance and the daily search for your own truth allows you to form a personal vision that in the end is visible and appreciated by others. I believe that you recognize a great designer when he lets flow through his works some or many of those personal aspects that make him unmistakable and unique.

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

LDAR : When I can not contribute anything to the design! ... hahaha because then, my mind rests and I appreciate that someone has thought of me and reached the end.

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

LDAR : A good design can become timeless and make life useful, enjoyable and more beautiful to many people. Every company should invest in good design and good materials if it wants to have a long life ...

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

LDAR : I would design products for Stenway, create a line of gadgets of high quality and design for companies that have not yet considered it.

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

LDAR : A novel project related to the improvement of road signs and new technologies.

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

LDAR : I have always been faithful to my instinct and what really makes me enjoy design. The illusion to share and enjoy what I do.

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

LDAR : If we place the design in the place that corresponds to other artistic disciplines, we could say that Velázquez, Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Queen, Porsche, Pininfarina, Milá, Gaudí, Jack London, Oscar Wilde ... All of them have created worlds parallel structuring and ordering their thoughts and each in its own way has designed the form of its artistic discourse in a recognizable and personal way.

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

LDAR : I am not a passionate follower of any in particular, I like very few things and in general we know the name of the brand and not the designer (which could possibly be corrected). I usually like elegant and simple designs. I like the balance between form and quality of materials and I prefer austerity to opulence because I put utility before bad design, but I demand that within the possibilities of that utility, maximum beauty should be uncovered.

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

LDAR : Today The Frog ... hahaha. Form and utility are one. The form, in addition to being the minimum expression in size and height, also fulfills one of my most important premises: every time I see, touch or use The Frog gives me a different type of satisfaction from the first day. Its touch is pleasant, its form relaxing and harmonious and its comforting utility.

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

LDAR : Each one plays with his cards so we should know as soon as possible what we are good at and get the most out of it by being very demanding. In my case, I have the facility to translate the ideas I visualize through the drawing, applying to them a certain knowledge of mechanics.

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

LDAR : In fact, my usual means of expression is music, although I do not rule out undertaking new challenges in the world of design ... possibly sculpture is another of the artistic disciplines that I would approach.

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

LDAR : The opportunity to continue creating useful art for others.

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

LDAR : Family, friends and all those who simply trust the dreams of others.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

LDAR : I do not consider myself a great designer ...! I have designed something big and I hope to have the inspiration and hope to continue doing it.

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

LDAR : The obstacles are always the ones you create because we all know that doing anything right is always a difficult path. Perhaps the biggest obstacle faced by those of us who believe that things can improve are the many people who have lost the illusion and prefer that everything remains as it is.

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

LDAR : If the designs are good they do not need too many explanations ... that's what the books are for, but in general today there are tools that are available to most people to be able to present a work that corresponds to the aesthetic and aesthetic demands. finishing of the market.

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

LDAR : Everything depends on the repercussion that The Frog generates in the market. I would love to make some motorcycle glasses for The Frog brand.

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

LDAR : Be satisfied and proud of my projects.

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

LDAR : That is coherent and that does not go to my head.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

LDAR : It is a means of bringing creativity, intelligence and art to society so it generates improvements in some of the most important aspects of the human being.

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

LDAR : In all the designs of the product marketing The Frog

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

LDAR : Apart from The Frog, I had the opportunity to make the scenery of my own opera. A decoration of 6 meters wide and two meters high that represented the famous painting of the room of the painter Vincent van Gogh in Arles.

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

LDAR : More demand in the quality of the products and more durability.

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

LDAR : Towards greater recognition as a new art.

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

LDAR : I am quite fast finding the solutions of form and aesthetics, moving them to the computer costs me more.

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

LDAR : Be very clear about what I want to achieve

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

LDAR : Be true to myself

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

LDAR : The veracity and authenticity of the design should establish the trends

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

LDAR : The steps after design absolutely necessary to bring the product to reality

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

LDAR : Adobe and Mac products.

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

LDAR : For me very important, are indispensable elements that bring you closer to the final design.

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

LDAR : I want people to enjoy it and use it, if the design is good, the questions are not necessary.

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

LDAR : Rest and gratitude.

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

LDAR : Someone who reinforces your ideas and complements them but whose aesthetic and emotional base flows in the same way. Yes, I believe in the possibility of wonderful human relationships.

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

LDAR : A good friend who died was a great partner in the process of The Frog and a small company that gave me technical advice in the prototyping process.

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

LDAR : There is an essay about the creation of Giovanni Pappini "Masculinity" that explains everything that a creator must not become.

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

LDAR : Not being afraid to try and learn. Everything is possible if we propose it.

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

LDAR : Steven Spielberg, John Boorman, Clint Eastwod, Ingvar Kamprad, Elon Musk, and if was possible with Steve Jobs, Chaplin... :-(

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

LDAR : I feel comfortable with the premise and I would like to have more ... hahaha I have obtained some recognitions in the world of music and it is wonderful that someone noticed your work, but about the fame "still" I can not speak ... possibly be uncomfortable for your own freedom.

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

LDAR : My favorite colors are Gray and green or a combination of both ..., Some corners of Mallorca, spring, steinway piano, Bmw

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

LDAR : Before calling my design The Frog, I looked for a frog with 3 fingers and found a biologist in Brazil who had discovered the only species in the world that has this characteristic. After talking with him and getting to know his work, I decided that was the name. Never give up!

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

LDAR : Creative freedom and contact with materials, forms and ideas. I constantly think about possible improvements.

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

LDAR : No, my goal was to be a musician but I've always brought a designer inside.

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

LDAR : I hope that good human values and emotions remain intact and that not only intelligence and immediacy take over our human condition. I hope we know how to preserve our instinct and intuition and turn this world into a much more pleasant and balanced place for everyone.

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

LDAR : Make sure that what you do each day can give you something or a lot of happiness and that you keep your hopes and hopes afloat.