Tonny Wirawan Suriadjaja

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Tonny Wirawan Suriadjaja ("TWS") 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?

TWS : I was graduated from Architecture Faculty of Tarumanegara in Jakarta, Indonesia.

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

TWS : I am moved and inspired by the space (either natural or man made), which can transform human behavior, activity, and even the mood. I have a dream to encourage a better living quality for human being by creating space. This thing you can only find within architectural practice.

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

TWS : I have designed many residential and hospitality projects. In the future, I am hoping to design public building, which can accommodate and serve many people.

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

TWS : Young designers needs a lot of practice and dare to experiment.

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

TWS : I think good designer is a person whom can make better environment with his or her good design.Great designer is a person with perseverance and consistency in his or her journey of life, to make a good design.

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

TWS : Good design will set a better life quality to the user.

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

TWS : The good design will effect the user physically and emotionally, and in return, people will favor it as a meeting and social place.

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

TWS : I dream to design a public space which can be good for many people.

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

TWS : Practice and listen to positive input.

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

TWS : I admire many architects and designersas each of them had their own strength and uniqueness.To name a few,they are : Tadao ando, Jean Nouvel, Frank Gehry, etc.

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

TWS : See, experience, and observe many things .

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

TWS : Design is to put in sequence some problem solving strategies and materializes it into space and form.

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

TWS : The most difficult things are to realize the design within the strict budget and orthodox mind set.

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

TWS : They should present the design in the way of thinking and perspective of the user.

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

TWS : We design some interesting hotel projects and residential currently

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

TWS : People expect me to become a good designer whom can solve all of their problems and produce a product that can please them.

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

TWS : We are currently working on a small mix use of design studio and private gym, the result is an existing intertwine program, space and form.

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

TWS : I think the design will emphasize more to the human scale as a user, in order to encourage social interaction.

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

TWS : Around two to three months

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

TWS : I always start from the user, then the site itself.

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

TWS : Both ways,because architecture is about life and look.

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

TWS : Revit, Autocad and 3d Max.

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

TWS : It plays important role to please and effect human eyes and mood

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

TWS : Everyone, from clients, contractors, and my team mate.

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

TWS : I like mute and natural colors, all kind of foods, spring and winter, book and gadgets.

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

TWS : I used to hate the words "you look so young", came from the clients.Now i miss the words :)

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

TWS : When someone feel happy about the things that i design.

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

TWS : Not until i experienced it myself