Marco Antonio Barba Sánchez

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Marco Antonio Barba Sánchez ("MABS") 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?

MABS : Design has always been my passion. since I was a child I was very impressed by the creative and engineering professions. and the games that I chose always had to do with it. And every day my taste for it increases because there is always something new to learn, people to know, cultures, sciences, words, mechanisms, history and many other things. I am an industrial designer and I am always looking to innovate, create and learn.

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

MABS : because there is always something new to learn, people to know, cultures, sciences, words, mechanisms, history and many other things. I am an industrial designer and I am always looking to innovate, create and learn.

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

MABS : I chose it and I would do it a thousand times more.

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

MABS : I like to design products that make sense. that their concept is interesting and that they are not defined because I believe that innovation comes from the creation livertad based on a concept and an objective.

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

MABS : Do not be afraid to face projects. Everything is possible and in all the projects there will be an apprenticeship.

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

MABS : dare to innovate and create.

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

MABS : A good design has many points to consider but it is more important that the user and those around him see it as the best product.

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

MABS : Because good design makes your product a good product and a good product will always be bought and wanted.

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

MABS : I would design a car for pininfarina design. I know that is one of the best design firms of the world but if i could colaborate with them, I certainly do.

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

MABS : An automotive design from start to final.

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

MABS : Investigation

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

MABS : Dieter Rams, Ferrrucio lamborghini, Enzo ferrai, Pinin farina.

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

MABS : all designs that have a backedup design

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

MABS : Bermuda, because it solves a real necesity

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

MABS : knowing the world and culture makes you a better designer. because the design I think is based on people and planet.

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

MABS : I am one hundred percent sure that I would be an engineer.

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

MABS : I think that design is the perfect combination between aesthetics and functionality. In order to comply with certain characteristics that satisfy the needs of the client and the user.

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

MABS : My family, clients and mentors who have believed in me and have supported me in this way.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

MABS : Discipline is the basis of any good professional. Besides, it's a skill that I have.

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

MABS : I think the main obstacle for a creative in my country is that people do not have the culture to develop their products or projects by the hand of a professional in design. therefore, it has been a great challenge for me to reach customers.

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

MABS : Demonstrating what they do, with creativity and quality.

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

MABS : Now I am working on several projects but I think one of the most important is the development of a new material in which I am working together with two other professionals in design and chemistry.

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

MABS : Have more and bigger projects, and be a reference of design in Mexico and the world.

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

MABS : That the projects carried out are of great impact and of the best quality.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

MABS : By means of the design we can act positively in diverse sectors of the society to solve problems with objects or with the production of them. in the end always our products must have a good impact.

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

MABS : I am working on two projects that especially I find very interesting and it is the development of more products related to bermuda and the development of a new eco material for new projects that are on the way.

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

MABS : All the projects cause me a satisfaction, especially when they have a positive impact on the lives of many people or on the environment.

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

MABS : Stop making disposable and changing products continuously. Maybe I would bet on modular design and upgrades. so that all things can have a longer life in order for things to last so they have to last with important technological updates without having the disposable objects that now dominate the market.

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

MABS : towards the user experience with a positive impact on society, the environment, etc. In addition to new technologies and what is personalized or unique.

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

MABS : The time depends on the type of project to be developed and the development team involved. But due to our method of work and development we can achieve shorter times thanks to collaborations with professionals

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

MABS : I begin by knowing what exactly the client is looking for or what is the problem to solve. so that it can investigate and define what the client really needs.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

MABS : As a designer and as a person, is that everything you do, do it well. And with good I mean many things, like in development, in execution, in its impact, in its use, in everything.

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

MABS : I think a bit of both. because aesthetic tendencies are imposed by design but development trends, social, economic, ecological, etc. they are the ones that influence the design.

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

MABS : Technology plays a very important role in the development of the project, in its production and in the project as a product. As a designer you always have to be aware of everything new that exists and what is to come to always achieve the best.

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

MABS : Mainly modeling and rendering software

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

MABS : The color, materials and the environment are very important elements in the design because if they do not match the product will not be very good and if these together do not match the profile of the user or client because this product will not even be sold.

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

MABS : I would like people understand my design without asking and from that any question will be very good.

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

MABS : I analyze why it is a good design and how it was achieved that result to learn from that.

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

MABS : Anyone who complements me is a great collaboration because of those collaborations I have learned a lot and I have achieved great results. I firmly believe in it.

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

MABS : All the people when I know them a little more leave a mark on me and I learn a lot from them. I think that all those who have taught me something have infused my way of thinking and creating.

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

MABS : All science books have influenced me a lot.

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

MABS : working, studying and being curious.

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

MABS : Leonardo da Vinci

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

MABS : I feel very proud to fulfill a goal of life more and that I am doing well. Well it's not hard because it's a good reputation

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

MABS : Red, Nature places, All the food (I'm food lover), Summer, Pininfarina design

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

MABS : It is always amazing to talk with people and know about their cultures and from there I realized that people need to be listened to and when you understand who they are, people are amazing with you. It happened to me a lot with the fishermen from the Yucatan region who are incredibly generous.

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

MABS : That the people I work with are happy and that the clients recognize my work and are happy with it.

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

MABS : The people who knew me always told me.

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

MABS : I have faith that the world will be a better place and that the human will have greater awareness of everything.

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

MABS : That I would like to be able to listen to them, support them and collaborate. You can easily find me on Instagram like: @marco_barba and talk to me directly.