ELHAM MIRZAPOUR
LEGENDARY INTERVIEW
Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Elham Mirzapour ("EM") 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?
EM : I I’ve studied Industrial Design at the University. Prior to my studies, I also was engaged in various fields of art such as painting, photography and music. I have always been interested in design and I was eager to learn it academically to choose it as my carrier. That's why I studied Industrial Design at university and it made my life more enjoyable.
DL: What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?
EM : I enjoy creating and creation of ideas that haven't existed before makes me motivated.
DL: Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?
EM : I have chosen this field for my university education as well as my future career with interest and awareness.
DL: What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?
EM : I really love product design and in the meantime, designing furniture and digital appliances and paying attention to the technology is of particular importance to me.
DL: What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?
EM : Studying and paying close attention to work, perseverance and having a clear plan for life's goals can always be fruitful.
DL: What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?
EM : It is exactly the same difference between a popular sports celebrity and a sports champion. Great designer and the products s/he creates are like an everlasting hero.
DL: What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?
EM : I think, there are a number of factors for each product and if you consider them, you’re going to have a really good design. But sometimes the designer goes beyond these factors in which the presented design engages the audience like an exciting surprise. I believe in that case it would be really good design.
DL: What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?
EM : Good design is in fact a perfect design. Good design enhances human quality of life.
DL: What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?
EM : There are many answers this question. In general, I enjoy designing things that solves a problem for people and makes the world more beautiful.
DL: What is the dream project you haven’t yet had time to realize?
EM : My dream project is to design a space ship.
DL: What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?
EM : I think it nothing except precision and perseverance.
DL: Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?
EM : I am very interested in studying as well as experience in designing. Throughout the history of design, I have read about and identified many people and movements and styles. Many people and movements have influenced me in the meantime. Dieter Rams as a great designer and Memphis style as an event in the 80's have been very influential.
DL: What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?
EM : There are many designs that I am interested in. Modernity and minimalism is what they have in common is.
DL: What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?
EM : Almost all the projects I've done to date are of equal value to me, because I've spent a lot of time on each one of them and they all look like children to me.
DL: How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?
EM : Study and knowledge of the modern technologies and continual review of what I have learned so far and using them in my designs.
DL: If you hadn’t become a designer, what would you have done?
EM : I would go for Plan B. I would be a designer! I love design and I was born for it.
DL: How do you define design, what is design for you?
EM : Design has broad meanings and a complex definition, but overall, I think creating any value that solves a problem and leads to more beautiful world is a good design.
DL: Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?
EM : Given my personality, I have always tried to meet my own challenges and keep moving forward. In fact, I can't address a specific person regarding this question since I believe good design is a set of teamwork, and in the meantime I've come across a variety of different people, each of whom has somehow been influential.
DL: What helped you to become a great designer?
EM : Intensive study of new science and technologies in the world and gaining work experience.
DL: What were the obstacles you faced before becoming a design master?
EM : Challenges are natural. What is important is how to face and deal with them. Personally, since I had a dream of becoming a designer, I always made the decision to fulfill it. Proper planning put me on the right path and removed any possible problems.
DL: How do you think designers should present their work?
EM : Good presentation of a design is one of the important parts of design. A designer must know how to convey his design to the audience in the best way possible. An interesting and fascinating as well as clever presentation multiplies the chances of being seen and enhances the influence of a design.
DL: What’s your next design project, what should we expect from you in future?
EM : Many projects will soon be released in which modern and good design as well as the use of technology is what they have in common.
DL: What’s your ultimate goal as a designer?
EM : My goal is to reach a point where my products make a history.
DL: What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?
EM : Commitment to ethics and giving value to people is expected from a designer and every human doing any other profession.
DL: How does design help create a better society?
EM : Design can enhance society if it encompasses ethical concerns and considers an approach to optimize consumption and respects the environment. There are some successful examples of design in history where the designer has promoted the literacy and awareness of the community as well.
DL: What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?
EM : Each of my work has had its own experiences and emotions and I can't choose between them.
DL: Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?
EM : My first project. Maybe because it was my first project!
DL: What would you like to see changed in design industry in the coming years?
EM : It is clear is that dissatisfaction about the status quo and dissatisfaction of the designer () causes the designer to create new value. Of course, if the world were convinced of cars and planes many years ago, it would never have stepped on the moon. As a designer, I wish to increase respect for nature and the environment and for humans in the future, along with all the developments of industry and humanity.
DL: Where do you think the design field is headed next?
EM : Continuously everything is growing and maturing and moving from one stage to another and design is no exception. This question cannot be answered definitively, but it seems to me that technology has a significant role in the maturation and determining the future of design.
DL: How long does it take you to finalize a design project?
EM : The time issue in designing varies depending on each project. Some of them require a longer study and research process.
DL: When you have a new design project, where do you start?
EM : My design projects is always initiated with dedicated study and research in that area, and it will continue in the next steps until the project is over.
DL: What is your life motto as a designer?
EM : Paying attention to the environment and events. The designer should not isolate himself from society and people and s/he must be aware of environmental issues. Studying the science is complementary to this principle.
DL: Do you think design sets the trends or trends set the designs?
EM : I believe, design sets the trend, and in turn, it makes the design more mature. In fact, the designer who is exposed to the current trends (whether conscious or unconscious) is consciously designing a new trend. This new trend lies in the unconscious of the next designer and the cycle continues. In the meantime, what comes to maturity is design and what is constantly being created is trend.
DL: What is the role of technology when you design?
EM : In fact, a designer needs technology to execute his projects and present them, and technology plays a major role in a designer's career.
DL: What kind of design software and equipment do you use in your work?
EM : I use 3D Modeling, Rendering and Final Presentation software depending on the type of project.
DL: What is the role of the color, materials and ambient in design?
EM : All of these complete a good design. No idea or form independent of these is complete and applicable.
DL: What do you wish people to ask about your design?
EM : Better Life and cleaner Earth.
DL: When you see a new great design or product what comes into your mind?
EM : Some of the designs are so great and impressive that I was thrilled when I see them, and I wish I had designed them. Seeing them always multiplies my energy.
DL: Who is your ideal design partner? Do you believe in co-design?
EM : Mohamad Montazeri, who is a designer himself, has always been a good partner for me during the design process.
DL: Which people you interacted had the most influence on your design?
EM : My colleague, Mohamad Montazeri.
DL: Which books you read had the most effect on your design?
EM : Reading books has been one of my favorite activities since my childhood, and I can't address any specific case, because each of them has influenced me directly or indirectly. Sometimes their influenced my imagination, sometimes my perspective toward the life as well as literacy and science.
DL: How did you develop your skills as a master designer?
EM : We live in an age where things are rapidly changing and developing and I need to update myself on these changes and gain more and more experiences to benefit from new skills and experiences.
DL: Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?
EM : I certainly can't address just a particular person. I’d lie to visit Leonardo Davinci, Albert Enstein, Charles Darwin and Elon Musk.
DL: How do you feel about all the awards and recognition you had, is it hard to be famous?
EM : I feel well, but as I become more famous and well-known in the workplace, people expect more responsibility.
DL: What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?
EM : I love the light color blended with gray The pristine nature is fascinating to me. Spring and winter are my favorite seasons. I love Italian cuisine. Space, astronomy and the character of the astronaut are an integral part of my life.
DL: Please tell us a little memoir, a funny thing you had experienced as a designer?
EM : Constant attention to the surroundings brings a lot of great moments and memories for a designer. I think, they will greatly influence the design of a successful designer. Various experiences and memories, such as watching children use their toys, listening to the sound of river, touching a soft and delicate leaf, immersing in the beauty of the night sky and the stars, and so on.
DL: What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?
EM : Seeing great new designs gives me great passion. For me to do activities that make my mind readier always been motivating.
DL: When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?
EM : My great interest in art was very evident. In addition, one of my favorite things in childhood was to de-assemble kitchen electric appliances! I would always de-assemble and reassemble the things.
DL: What do you think about future; what do you see will happen in thousand years from now?
EM : Given the advancement of technology, I think life can be fantastic in the future in term of design. I wish that at that time, the life condition of people would be good everywhere in the world.
DL: Please tell us anything you wish your fans to know about you, your design and anything else?
EM : Thank you for the interview, and finally, I’d like to emphasize once again that ethical design can make the world more beautiful than it used to be.
