Adeodaat Erik Rozema

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Adeodaat Erik Rozema ("AER") 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?

AER : Design and creativity you have in you or not. And if you have that and feel you know quickly enough what you want to be later. I went into the technical woodworking side at school to become an in-house architect. During my studies I made a switsh and became a designer in the advertising industry. But the love for interior design remained and eventually started as an interior designer for myself.

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

AER : It motivates me to be able to design beautiful things that make people happy. The creativity was early as a child in my head and that's why I wanted to do something in which I could express my creativity and then you have to become a designer right?

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

AER : I have chosen to become a designer myself

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

AER : I actually design a lot especially in total projects so that I can create and execute interior plans for a complete company or home. But preferably I only design beautiful furniture with which I can reach a larger target group and make it happy.

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

AER : In any case, young designers have to look around a lot at form, color, etc. You can see that on the street, on the beach, in the woods, in films etc. They have to work from their own strength and try to think of something timeless.

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

AER : a good designer designs beautiful things, a great designer has international fame and designs timelessly what people keep talking about.

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

AER : A design is really a great design when it looks timeless and people talk about it in 100 years and it is still being used in that design. My evaluation is therefore, timeless model, responsibly designed, good material use and nicely designed connections of material in the design.

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

AER : The value of a good design is characterized by a timeless model in combination with the brand for which it was designed and the name of the designer. A good design and certainly a timeless design in combination with the brand always keeps its value even after 100 years! There are many examples of this.

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

AER : Actually I would like to design a lot. I do not care what I should design. I just enjoy it a lot to be able to design something unique. Ideally for my own label, but also for a number of big brands I would like to contribute as a designer.

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

AER : A dream project that I would like to design for, is to design the interior of a luxury yacht.

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

AER : If I am going to tell you all that now, it is no longer a secret. hahaha ... One of the general secret rules is that you always listen carefully to what the client has to tell you.

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

AER : Osiris Hertman, a Dutch interior designer, I have a lot of respect for. But also a lot of respect for the Italian designer Marco Zanuso who has many international designs to his name.

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

AER : The lounge chair "Maggiolina" from the brand Zanotta, designed by Marco Zanuso. The special dining table by designer "Piet Hein Eek". And so there are many more striking and timeless designs by international designers by name.

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

AER : With every new design I make I say to myself, this is the best thing I have designed so far. The best is yet to come, I think. And in addition, the design of the table I have nominated for this design competition, I must say that this is the best design I have submitted. The sides, the legs that carry the top, make the difference. This gives the table a sexy look. And that's why I think this is my best design so far.

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

AER : Design is in your soul and when you experience that and look around you in the world, you see a lot of what you can learn from. That is what I still do. I look around me in the street, in films when I talk to people, I save a lot in me so that I can take advantage of it again if I have a project again.

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

AER : Probably I would have been a teacher then

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

AER : The definition of design can be described in its simplest form as design, art, graphic design etc. For me, design is an experience of an object, a painting or a nice graphically designed poster, etc. It is a feeling you get when you see a good design.

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

AER : My biggest supporter was my late mother. She always stood behind me in what I did.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

AER : Designer must be in your soul because only then can you take all your creativity out of you to be able to make good and beautiful designs.

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

AER : There were no obstacles at all. I have to have it from my network where clients gave me the opportunity to make designs for their various projects.

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

AER : If you talk about your own work, product design, then you need a very good network at first. People in the industry who can help you to come to the table with the right people. Make sure that your marketing is ready for your design, that good photos have been taken and processed in a product brochure.

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

AER : I am currently working for various clients in the Netherlands on the complete design of detached houses and companies. But if you are talking about the next design project in the sense of designing a specific product or interior, there are already a number of good designs waiting in my computer to be developed. But first I am waiting for my first winning design ever so that I get the opportunity to develop the designs that are already there. That is my plan for the future.

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

AER : To become a successful international designer. That I also get the opportunity for various brands to design for them.

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

AER : People can expect exceptional designers to come up with unique designs that radiate the value they need. That the design is appreciated by people with a great design feeling.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

AER : By working with natural and sustainable materials wherever possible.

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

AER : At the moment I am working on the realization of a complete renovation and furnishing of a detached house in Germany. And if you look at the design and the realization of the project, then I am very enthausiastic in every room I am in and then look very proud that it has come out again as I thought it was.

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

AER : With me, every project is unique whether it is a large or small project. And on completion of the project I am always proud that it looks good again and that the client is very surprised and happy. That is why every project is a satisfaction for me in order to make it more satisfying. I am proud of every project.

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

AER : I would not know. Should something be changed?

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

AER : I think it is becoming more and more creative.

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

AER : That differs per project. I had projects that are fully realized within 3 months, but also have a client where we have been in the design phase for more than a year.

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

AER : As I explained earlier in this interview, if with this design competition and with the design I have nominated I am lucky enough to receive a winning Award, I can continue to develop designs that are on hold in my computer.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

AER : First, enjoying life to the fullest, enjoying beautiful unique designs made by fellow designers and making me an acclaimed designer in the international interior design industry.

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

AER : In some cases it is because we have to deal with living trends, etc. So you need trendsetters who make designs for it. I myself love more lasting designs, so timeless!

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

AER : All that is true in what you bring in the design. That makes the design unique in its shape and appearance, etc. When you combine the design with technology, everyone has to understand the idea behind it.

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

AER : I work on an Imac with 3D software SketshUp Pro for drawing and with Artlantis Studio for photo-realistic mood impressions. I also update the impressions via Photoshop. From time to time I also work with the drawing program Illustrator and for the presentation layout I work with Indesign.

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

AER : The role of color, material and ambient are of course very important and also determine how the experience and the appearance of the complete design is seen.

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

AER : In my experience they do not have to ask anything, they have to be proud that they have a beautiful design in their home. When they ask questions about your design, they do not understand the look and feel of the design and then you have to wonder if you have designed a good product.

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

AER : A great new design comes up like pooping. Because as a designer you see a lot of things around you and your head never stops thinking, you already have the beginning of a new design in your head. And sometimes you just throw a new starting design out of your head and you start with rough sketches on paper to get it visual.

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

AER : I would not know there are enough great designers where I would like to sit next to the plane for a couple of hours. It comes your way with a great design partner to be able to do a beautiful project together. That is why I certainly believe in a co-design.

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

AER : I usually go as far as possible from my own strength. You can see that in the design which I have nominated for this design contest. A bit stubborn and sometimes completely against the thread.

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

AER : I have a lot of respect for Osiris Hertman as an interior designer and I also have a wonderful book from him. But I do not know if his book has had the most effect on my design.

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

AER : Design and creativity comes from your soul that you have to have in you, but I learned the skills by studying a lot of self-study and a lot around me and visiting various international interior and furniture trade fairs.

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

AER : I would not know it immediately. There are so many outstanding designers with international fame that I would like to talk to or discuss with you to become stronger and better as a designer.

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

AER : I can not say anything about that yet. Hopefully something will change to this design competition. Then I can answer this question.

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

AER : I have 2 favorite colors, blue and orange. Blue because it is easy to combine and orange because it makes me happy. My favorite place is New York and Hong Kong. I love Indian food and Italian food. My favorite season is the summer and I love various brands as long as I have an experience with them.

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

AER : I received the request from a German client to design a staircase with a banister that should be combined with steel and wood. Well that is not so difficult, but the appearance of the steel I had thought of in the banister was only visible after realizing the design that a German swastika was processed by the illustrative form. Well, that really was not possible and certainly not in a hall of a German detached house.

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

AER : By going to work every day cheerful and happy. I motivate myself to continue to believe in myself every day in what I do and what I decide.

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

AER : As a child I was always drawing and when I was in the 4th grade of primary school I was invited by the head of the school and also a teacher of the 6th class to attend the drawing lessons in his class. He told my mother that my future would be in the creative corner. And he talked a lot with me about creativity and what I could do with it. That then gave me the idea to become an in-house architect and therefore went through the technical furniture class at secondary school.

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

AER : I do not have an opinion about that. tell me.

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

AER : When you read my entire interview you get a bit of the impression of who I am, what kind of personality and what I could contribute in the future in beautiful designs, of which there should certainly be a few timeless. This is me, Addie Rozema.