Idan Herbet

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Idan Herbet ("IH") 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?

IH : I've learned design and emphasis on the small details from home. My mother needs everything to be precise, clean and tidy, she does not compromise on it. My father is an independent person and his knowledge is tremendous. He has golden hands and he is not afraid of hard work.

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

IH : At the age of 20 or so I got the insight that we are the creators of ourselves and the environment. When I realized that, I thought how I could "mold" my life and that of others and control our emotions through design.

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

IH : I chose. At some point in my life I chose to choose everything in my life. I do not run my life to please others or do things I can't wait to finish with. I get up and go to sleep design every day and I give thanks for that.

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

IH : I design emotions, using objects that shape people's feelings.

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

IH : If you think you are too small to change something, try sleeping with a mosquito in the room.

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

IH : Faith, security and curiosity. If you do not have one of these 3 variables you are not there in my opinion

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

IH : A good design is one that you look at and you believe it is doing what it is supposed to do. One that you immediately understand and that awakes your emotions.

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

IH : Design is everywhere, it is when you get up to brush your teeth and it is also there when you go to bed and sleep. Through design, we live our lives, we have the right to design them.

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

IH : What exactly will it be? I do not have an answer . But it will be unexpected, touching on purpose, and directly aimed at essence. There are many people I would like to design for them, but instead of names I can say that I would be happy to design to anyone who belive in my work, who believes in me - in the person I am, and will put their faith in me because he can be sure that I will do my best to achieve the most surprising result, and best of all with my design and together to hit the goal. Because it's not about what it will be, it's about the way, the discoveries are on the way. I am a journeyman. The end product for me is the way. And my gift is that people can enjoy their journey with my insights through my designs that allow them just enjoy the journey of life.

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

IH : One that will touch as many people as possible at their most sensitive points. One that through one object - they will go through a whole experience that will make them look inside and understand everything - what is important and what is not.

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

IH : If it is too easy you are not in the right direction. There is a particular way of designing in which you see the trail but it is full of spikes. wear a shield and gallop forward. The really good things lie beyond what's hidden.

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

IH : Ron arad, zhah hadid , Jonathan Ive , Marc Newson , Philippe Starck , Lloyd Groff Copeman , Dieter Rams It's not necessarily about a specific design... But rather about an inspiring way. The ability to strive in a big way, to explore in depth, to walk with confidence and to make big things happen.

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

IH : I am very attached to the designs that "scream" their design process There are designs that can see through them the process, the thought, and the way that led to this design. The design process is very sensitive and accurate, if you know how to be sensitive, curious, courageous and ambitious. Probably your design will talk that way too. For example, zhah hadid, James Dyson, Marc Newson and many more.

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

IH : I developed a mold-making technique to create a unique concrete sink. I developed a technique that allowed me to reach a unique shape with a form the follows function that sape allows the water drops to slip into the scoring hole With the same technique I was able to create a uniform texture which characterizes a sink and its aqueous environment.

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

IH : First of all, to improve as a human being. Stop everything and look inside. Who am I? Knowing what I'm good at and what I'm not. How do I relate to others and how others relate to me and why? To ask endless questions. Love yourself and give thanks for good and evil. Once you are able to be balanced with yourself, your design will be balanced too.

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

IH : I was a professional surfer. From morning to evening. But I must have been designing surfboards or wave pools. So, it's probably stronger than me.

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

IH : Design is not an object measured as something beautiful or ugly. Design is an approach, a way of life. Design is the actions you do to affect the environment and yourself.

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

IH : If I am not for myself, who is?! You can expect and hope that people will help you move forward. But you are the height of yourself. There are many good people on the way. But I was always there for me.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

IH : My subconscious. He was the one who pushed me forward to explore and kick where I was intrigued.

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

IH : I am the obstacle of myself. In time I got to know my feelings. What is right for me and what is not. Where to put an emphasis and where to release. The moment I defeated myself, I learned to control my emotions, I managed to get to where I wanted to be.

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

IH : They need to talk about what led them to get to their work. What they believe in and what emotions they wanted to touch.

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

IH : Its good you asked! There is a character I hope we will all be able to connect to soon. She is a colorful figure, a joy with endless presence. One that is hard to ignore, and she can connect with anyone and evoke in each one something else. A series of sculptures that I work on for a while, meet people at unexpected moments and stay emotionally with them

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

IH : A final goal is a definition I do not connect to, but the next goal and the next one is to challenge the technology and human beings through an unusual design.

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

IH : I believe people expect me to know what I'm doing. That I understand design and design processes. They expect me to be honest in the decisions I make, to ask the right questions, to make this world beautiful, comfortable, fun, not obvious, one that is comfortable and fun to live in. Promise to do so, and at least try my best

DL: How does design help create a better society?

IH : Design touches people directly. If we know how to design a world that will hit people at their good points. We can get the better out of them.

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

IH : As of writing these words, I am working on a series of environmental sculptures The sculptures were created after much thought and were intended to inspire the viewers to empathy, optimism, joy and satisfaction. I have a big plans for these sculptures and I hope that you will meet them face to face very soon

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

IH : There are many such products that satisfy me. One that I find myself thinking about recently is the non-gimmicky "Gillette Fusion" product, which deals 100% with Form Folwos Function. A product that allows the knife to shave perfectly on the face. It's fun to see products evolve and how they are best adapted to their environment

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

IH : I would like to see a design that is considerate of the environment and not at the expense of the environment. Products that deal with consumer culture and thus reduce the harm to nature. Our world is growing, our capabilities are evolving, and it all comes at the expense of our universe that originally allows all of this to happen. Design that protects the environment, allows the environment to keep us going! we must to give stage and talk about green design.

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

IH : The field of design is constantly evolving and this happens for a number of reasons such as: technology, anthropology, morphology consumer culture and more 'products are improving and offering different offers to maximize their capabilities. In my opinion as time goes on we are able to reach exact products for their needs, to a minimum size, and innovative capabilities that we did not know were possible thanks to human development and technology

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

IH : A design project and product development has no definite end. The deeper we go, the more we can discover. Usually this process ends when you meet the client's requirement, the budget for the project, or the time allotted for it.

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

IH : I have a logic that I work with according to the product requirement. First of all, I listen to the customer's vision, then I review the options available on the market in the same field. Make notes of guiding principles that are boundaries within the project, and then connect all the data together to find a smart, innovative and simple execution / creation solution that sanctifies the goal.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

IH : Everything is possible ! There is always a place for innovation. Never give up due to difficulties along the way. thought creates reality . There is a sentence that says: Get out full of sweat on the way, but not a single drop of blood. Do your best with all the effort - to design a product that talks about it but simply.

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

IH : Our life is one big eco-system. Each component is influenced by each other and responds indirectly or directly to the final product. Trends determine the design and design sets trends

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

IH : Technology allows us to evolve and recognize fields we had never known before. Proper use of technology brings great revelations. It is important to know the technology while respecting humanity

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

IH : First of all, there is no substitute for sketching with a pencil by hand, using a few simple lines you can illustrate Any complicated idea. Then I transfer the sketch to a computer and build a 3D cad file. Usually I work with solidworks, then use the file in keyshot to illustrate the idea closest to reality.

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

IH : Very significant. Some people will connect to the product - but the color will make them sick. And there are people who are the opposite. Color and material play an important role, and it is very individual

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

IH : I don't want people asking me questions. I want them to get answers. When I approach design, I look at all the factors that can affect or be affected by them and the meaning of the product's existence, I want to bring the product to the best and right place for it and the user. In the most natural way that respects all the factors, once the design reaches such a point, no questions need be asked.

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

IH : Design directly affects emotion. When he works correctly you feel it on the inside. I try to be aware of these feelings and let the intuition and emotion guide the thought. Great design can fill me with inspiration and satisfaction for a while.

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

IH : There is a saying that - if you want to get fast - go alone, if you want to go far - go as a group. First of all, I choose my partners at our connection level as people, if there is no discourse and understanding together we will not be able to move forward. Usually it's people I want to learn from, that I connect to their approach to life So I know that together we can reach a good destination

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

IH : Over time, I try to contact lots of designers and not just people from the design field and ask them to be honest about my designs. I usually appeal to people I am connected to on a personal level and their way of thinking. Independent people, company owners they founded, people who love life, love people and people who believe very much in their own way

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

IH : The ideal is to keep reading as much as possible. Each book sheds light on the next book. One of my influential books is "why we love (or hate) everyday things" Emotions are everything to me, when you know and control them through design then you have great power in your hands.

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

IH : I picked everything up the road. Even if it did not seem to be related to the design. It helped me along the way. If it's a soccer game. Running outside or helping to change a wheel for an elderly on the street. Be attentive to the environment . it will give you back twice

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

IH : So many people are run in my head. I'd like to talk to Michael Jackson, To tell him how amazing it is to see his perseverance and fascination that opened a door and introduced to the world a rhythm and dance style we had never known before. I'd love to talk to the ancient man Look him in the eye and try to experience through him the innocence and simplicity of his age. Not everything had a solution, and every day was a new and revolutionary discovery in evolution. I would like to know Mother Earth and thank her for all the good, for all the logic and illogicality that we have grown into. Maybe on the way to get a tip from her about this life cycle we live in.

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

IH : I'm not a famous person. But to get recognition by a award is a respectable status that confirms that you are on the right path and pushes you forward to conquer another goal.

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

IH : I've had to ask myself this a lot in the past. With time I realized that I was connecting to the color according to the environment and what it was sitting on. Food depending on my hunger. Season according to where I am, etc. For me there is no color, season or specific food that I like ...It comes with another variable whose combination makes me love it or not.

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

IH : Life is funny, did you once asked yourself how can people make fun with design? As a designer, you have control over people's feelings . I once dealt with a project that focuses on making people laugh - this one by "surprise", unexpected and tickling

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

IH : Over time I learned to listen to my feelings. To know what was good for me and what was not, the ability to control them helped me control a happier and more optimistic life, which also contributed to my success as a designer

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

IH : When I was a child it was clear that it would be great, maybe without the definition but you are a child ... That's great in itself! You have the freedom to do and be who and how much you want without thinking too much.

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

IH : The truth is that this is a question that frightens me. I believe that the less we have, the happier we are. And it feels that the more time passes, the more we consume. I would like that in a thousand years humans will know how to make do with the least and to enjoy the lack.

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

IH : I would love to share with the readers and tell them that I have great plans that focus on lifestyle. Optimistic, happy, colorful and healthy lifestyle, And I hope and would be happy if more people came across my design because it was created for them!! I want to invite you to follow my work, to be inspired and to leave a message only if I was able to intrigue and inspire you @studio_herbet. Thank you !