Ola Shekhtman

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Ola Shekhtman ("OS") 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?

OS : After I understood my economics high education is boring for me, I started to study goldsmith. Because I always loved to make something by hands. Especially something tiny. So I found Jewelry School in Saint Petersburg, Russia, where I lived since 2008 to 2013. So I learned how to melt metal, roll it, saw, solder and used microscope which was the most exciting for me. After I moved to USA, I didn’t have any tools with me and decided to learn how to make everything on my laptop. I finished software course for beginners in NYC and next year I spent educated myself with videos on youtube, showing how to make different shapes. So I’ve never learned design. My opinion is to generate ideas it is not necessary if you was born with different view of common things. Of course you can develop yourself, watch how others do and of course learn tools to turn your ideas to life. What exactly I did.

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

OS : I never decided to do it. I just can’t to NOT do it. It goes from the inside. This is my realization.

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

OS : I did not choose nether I was forced. I just am. This what I do all my life. It is one of the characteristic of me.

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

OS : My passion is Architecture. I think I could become a real architect but when I was young it seemed to me like something tremendous and too hard. So, designing architectural jewelry I feel satisfied my passion to be an architect and remove my fear of being that.

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

OS : “If you want to have you’ve never had - do what you’ve never did.” Stay brave to share forms from your head even if it seems to be too absurd. I always put an example with impressionism - which was not accepted immediately. However new style played a role in the development of the art. Now we can’t imagine learning pictorial art without Claude Monet. I want to highlight one more thing. You can study design, but if you’re not designer from inside, you risk to stay in shadow. You will have success if you feel you just can’t to NOT create. Otherwise - go to learn economics or law :)

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

OS : I think answer is in feelings, you creation awakes in people. If they are amazed - good designer. If they have a heart attack - you’re great designer.

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

OS : I think it’s emotions and knowhow. The more design touches my feelings, amazes with its originality, the stronger this design is for me.

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

OS : Designer - it’s like progress, like evolution, like motion in the future. It take resources. It can’t be cheap.

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

OS : I’m going to realize and prefer to keep the secret to stay pioneer.

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

OS : I’m going to realize and prefer to keep the secret to stay pioneer.

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

OS : Emotions. Knowhow. I try to create things that touch my feelings, amaze me with innovations and originality. When my head deliver a new idea that I’ve never seen before I get so much excitement and energy to realize it - it’s simply a bomb of inspiration! So my recipe is - searching such a bombs.

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

OS : Antoni Gaudi. He was so brave to express his fantasies to publics. And now many years after he is so loved by many people. I admire his creations, I admire his personality.

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

OS : Actually I don’t follow any designers. Especially in jewelry. I think it makes sense because in that case you don’t compare yourself with anybody. The same for painting. I don’t learn any painting technique because I want to come up with my unique one, which characters me only. New materials always catch my attention. I love to see how designer use wood and glass in fantastic ways.

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

OS : Each time I unbox new cityscape ring I am so excited and each time I think this is the best ring inmycollection. But it happens each time :) I am fan of Antoni Gaudi and I think Barcelona ring shows all the uniqueness of his architecture masterpieces. I wear New York ring almost 24/7. This city takes special place inmyheart. I turn the ring and feel myself there. Also I lovemy bridges rings. It is not obviously bridge. It looks more like some industrial designed ring. It catches your attention and amazes when you realize it is Golden Gate.

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

OS : Try, create, take out what you have inside. Don’t be afraid to look awkward. If the idea looks not worthy, looking at it you can evaluate.

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

OS : Zoo Worker. I love animals. It’s still my dream. I always volunteer in shelters to close this gestalt.

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

OS : Design in common it is a way to step further from just function. Design let us see something completely new. Or recognize familiar but from different view. It’s esthetics, it’s amazedness. How many creative people we have around! With different minds and views. What did the creator think about, how did he feel while creating and after? How did he come up with the idea? I’m trying to guess answers when I look at any designed thing. For me personally design as a process it’s fun. Realization. Satisfaction. Self confident and self respect. This is happiness.

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

OS : Every day I receive messages from my customer who share with me their stories, why they love cityscape rings. Somebody was born, studied, felt in love in cities they left. They still miss these places and very happy to have such a reminder on their finger. The stories fill me up and I want to make more and more cityscapes.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

OS : Boredom. I was bored by my current office job that I was thinking I have to work on. And one day I quit and remembered my favorite childhood likes. And I just can not to not create.

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

OS : There was no obstacles with designing. A bit unusual for me was to build business on my hobby. But everything can be solved. I know it now.

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

OS : Anyhow. Maybe in the beginning show it to family and friends as a test. But actually often it doesn’t work. Because you friendы treat you prejudiced. Honestly I don’t know. Doesn’t matter how - just show us what you have come up with.

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

OS : I prefer to keep it in secret. For sure something nobody done before. And very touching. I can say it will be intended to people’s significant events.

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

OS : To be related with world famous Museums and Galleries through my designs.

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

OS : Custom work haha! And I take it from time to time :)

DL: How does design help create a better society?

OS : Design it is a part of art. Art it is a soul of our world. The greater design is, the deeper soul of the humanity is.

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

OS : Usually I keep my current works and future plans in secret, but can share one of the project I work on. It is special design of cityscape rings for young mommies. I have young moms as audience. I want to represent them more uniform version of cityscape rings without any picks to be safe for the babies.

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

OS : So far I’m completely in architecture and satisfied with it totally.

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

OS : More Ikea-like stores :)

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

OS : New materials. Or unexpected using common materials.

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

OS : Different projects different terms. I think the cityscapes I will build all my life. And realize other projects of course. But cityscapes are on the main scene. But maybe I will change direction. Who knows..

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

OS : Sketch on yellow sticker :)

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

OS : If you want to have you’ve never had - do what you’ve never did. I would even say …do what have nobody did.

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

OS : I think design goes first. Hype design may become a trend.

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

OS : Technology doesn’t play some significant role. It doesn’t matter do I start to build Capitol from facade or from the dome.

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

OS : Mostly I use Rhinoceros for 3D modeling. Also love Blender for rendering. It’s powerful and free officially.

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

OS : I’m not sure in color, but materials definitely rules. Especially in our time when people care about their health and environment.

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

OS : I don’t know, everything except future plans and project. I prefer to keep it in confident.

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

OS : “Whoah! What was on your mind? What did you feel while creating and after? How did you come up with this brilliant idea?” I’m trying to guess answers when I look at any designed thing.

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

OS : I believe, but I’m happy to work alone. Currently I’m greedy :)

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

OS : I always worked alone.

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

OS : Sociology haha.

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

OS : Practice. Sometimes I’m like Hemingway - I have to make 5 designs today no matter what. Maybe tomorrow I will delete the files, but just to work on skills I need to work every single day. I believe that I need to spend 10000 hours to achieve professionalism I feel inside. I just need to dig down to it.

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

OS : I am fan of Antoni Gaud. If I meet him I will ask him to feel this questionary haha!

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

OS : I’m not very famous and it’s a pure pleasure!

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

OS : I think the best thing was ever created on Earth is Sea. I love turqious, blue, green colors. I can’t stay long without any sea nearby. I need to see the sea. I’m not interested in swimming, I just enjoy the view, listen to sounds and sniffs the air. Also I love fish and all marine inhabitants, that’s why I don’t eat them. I like fruits and vegetables the most. My favorite season is summer - I can have it whole year, I love when it’s 100 degrees. Brand - mine - Cityscape rings by Ola Shekhtman.

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

OS : I sleep a lot. 12-15 hours of sleeping is a guarantee of great day!

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

OS : No. I didn’t think about it. I just drew always and everywhere.

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

OS : I thing everything will be different way. The way I can’t even imagine today.