OMAR QUBAIN AND TINA SAGHBINI
LEGENDARY INTERVIEW
Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Omar Qubain and Tina Saghbini ("OQATS") 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?
OQATS : Before coming together and setting up our very own practice, both of us had separate yet rich experiences in the field of design. We first met at Scuola Politecnica di Design where we obtained a Masters Degree in Industrial Design. During that Masters program and we had the opportunity to intern at two studios based in Milan. Omar at Total Tool and Tina at Antonio De Marco studio. Prior to that we both had various freelance experiences.
DL: What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?
OQATS : Being a designer, is greater than just a job title. it is quite literally a way of life. Practicing the principles of good design means that you will always look at things differently; from magazine, to gadgets, to furniture pieces and buildings.
DL: Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?
OQATS : It was a choice, of course. Always do what makes you happy, this is the key to success.
DL: What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?
OQATS : Currently we are working on furniture design. Eventually we would like to move onto lighting design.
DL: What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?
OQATS : Be curious. Dream big. Sketch. Sketch Sketch.
DL: What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?
OQATS : The degree to which details are taken care of.
DL: What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?
OQATS : If the concept has little to no explanation, then that is typically the first indicator of good design.
DL: What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?
OQATS : Good design can make our lives easier, solve problems and deliver better experiences.
DL: What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?
OQATS : Tina: Matali Crasset/ would love to design with and for her. A set of Furniture collection Omar: Nendo/ would love to design a collection of flatware.
DL: What is the dream project you haven’t yet had time to realize?
OQATS : Great things take time.
DL: What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?
OQATS : if we tell you it wouldn't be a secret anymore..
DL: Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?
OQATS : Nendo Castiglioni Ettore Sottsass
DL: What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?
OQATS : Our greatest design is yet to be designed.
DL: How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?
OQATS : Expect and accept failure.
DL: If you hadn’t become a designer, what would you have done?
OQATS : Become chefs and open our very own restaurants.
DL: How do you define design, what is design for you?
OQATS : Design is a tool that is able to capture and combine beauty with functionality. It is a language that supersedes cultural and geographical differences. Depending on how it is used, design could be both devastatingly destructive or beautifully constructive. For us, we always focus on the latter.
DL: Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?
OQATS : Our entourage, friends and family.
DL: What helped you to become a great designer?
OQATS : Dreaming big and believing we can make it.
DL: What were the obstacles you faced before becoming a design master?
OQATS : We are humbled to be considered design masters, however we do not feel we are there quiet yet.
DL: How do you think designers should present their work?
OQATS : By always keeping it simple and straight to the point. There is no right and no wrong here.
DL: What’s your next design project, what should we expect from you in future?
OQATS : more award winning designs of course.
DL: What’s your ultimate goal as a designer?
OQATS : To bring joy and create tangible change.
DL: What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?
OQATS : Well rounded solutions that spark joy and curiosity within people.
DL: How does design help create a better society?
OQATS : Design has always been and will forever be a powerful, productive medium that builds better lives and thus better societies.
DL: What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?
OQATS : Producing the prototype of pep.
DL: Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?
OQATS : Pep, our first baby. Made from scratch!
DL: What would you like to see changed in design industry in the coming years?
OQATS : We would like to see more democratisation in the industry.
DL: Where do you think the design field is headed next?
OQATS : Artificial intelligence. Less and less human..
DL: How long does it take you to finalize a design project?
OQATS : Anywhere between a month and a year.
DL: When you have a new design project, where do you start?
OQATS : after two
DL: What is your life motto as a designer?
OQATS : sketch, sketch, sketch!
DL: Do you think design sets the trends or trends set the designs?
OQATS : They say the trend is your friend. But sometimes as a designer it is good to think outside the box and break the rules. Each designer has their own style and way of thinking. As a designer you should be able to create whatever you want whenever you want.
DL: What is the role of technology when you design?
OQATS : Depends on the type of project at hand. Sometimes we rely a lot on technology throughout the design process, other times not so much.
DL: What kind of design software and equipment do you use in your work?
OQATS : Pens, pencils and paper. Rhino, Keyshot, Photoshop InDesign Illustrator.
DL: What is the role of the color, materials and ambient in design?
OQATS : They're everything.
DL: What do you wish people to ask about your design?
OQATS : "How did they every come up with that idea?"
DL: When you see a new great design or product what comes into your mind?
OQATS : How can it be improved?
DL: Who is your ideal design partner? Do you believe in co-design?
OQATS : Well yes of course! It is easier in two.
DL: Which people you interacted had the most influence on your design?
OQATS : Our teacher and design master Huub Ubbens
DL: Which books you read had the most effect on your design?
OQATS : - the courage to create by Rollo May - The design of everyday things by Donald Norman
DL: How did you develop your skills as a master designer?
OQATS : Curiosity, practice and failure.
DL: Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?
OQATS : Ettore Sottsass.
DL: How do you feel about all the awards and recognition you had, is it hard to be famous?
OQATS : We wouldn't say we are famous just yet..
DL: What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?
OQATS : Tina: light pink, the beach, green peas, spring, scrunchies for the hair, golden goose Omar: green, under the sea, spicy mango candies, autumn, sunglasses, cos
DL: Please tell us a little memoir, a funny thing you had experienced as a designer?
OQATS : Usually its when we find out, someone had already designed our great idea.
DL: What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?
OQATS : We make it fun!
DL: When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?
OQATS : We definitely had a strong inclination towards arts in general terms, but we cannot say it was obvious we would, one day, become designers.
DL: What do you think about future; what do you see will happen in thousand years from now?
OQATS : The future is both exciting and scary at the same time. You never know what it has to offer. Just stay positive and hope for the best. Our dream is to become internationally recognised designers with a beautiful studio and work on exciting projects.
