Chris Tattersall

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Chris Tattersall ("CT") 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?

CT : My education was mostly languages and their literatures. I studied French, Russian and Latin.

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

CT : I have always loved being out in Nature and I seemed to have been born with some talent as a photographer so I have brought the two loves together.

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

CT : Natural landscapes and Nature generally

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

CT : Follow your feelings and always check every aspect of a shot before pressing the shutter.

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

CT : Simplicity that speaks for itself.

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

CT : The value is in capturing a beautiful moment that is recorded for Posterity.

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

CT : I would spend more time out in Nature with my camera.

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

CT : I won't know until I have done it although my photos of Patagonia and Kamchatka came close.

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

CT : Don't overthink and contrive things; just let the Zen spirit guide your actions.

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

CT : Ansel Adams

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

CT : The Yosemite pictures by Ansel Adams

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

CT : I have taken so many photos over the years which I have loved and treasured. It would be impossible to select one.

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

CT : Just allow your creative spirit guide you and do not overthink things.

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

CT : I also enjoy cooking and used to play the Classical Guitar. However I can't imagine my life without photography.

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

CT : You can't define it; you feel it.

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

CT : My Family and friends greatly appreciated my work when they saw something they liked, but I was really self-driven.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

CT : An education in languages and literatures but also being relatively successful at work and having the funds to obtain the best cameras and afford to have prints and canvasses made of my favourite works,

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

CT : Lack of free time to get out with my camera but I can't complain really.

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

CT : Simplicity is everything. Let the work works speak for themselves.

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

CT : I enjoyed a wonderful trip to the Galapagos with pictures to sort through. However, I am getting on in age and I have a huge back catalogue so I will sift through it and select the highlights.

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

CT : It would be nice to be appreciated beyond my friends and Family; some wider recognition would be welcome.

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

CT : More of the same,

DL: How does design help create a better society?

CT : Creating and recording beauty when there is so much Ugliness in this World must help.

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

CT : Trawling through my back catalogue.

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

CT : It is great to capture and preserve Beauty.

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

CT : The majority of is is when the shutter is pressed. I have Photoshop but if the photo is well taken very little should need to be altered.

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

CT : I just let the Zen spirit take over and do not overthink things.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

CT : Keep it simple but perfect.

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

CT : I follow my own path; always have.

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

CT : I began with film SLRs but Digital has made a world of difference.

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

CT : Nikon DSLR with several varied lenses; also a good PC set up for editing and cataloguing my work.

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

CT : I can't define it but I know instantly when I see a design I want to capture.

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

CT : They like to know where the picture was taken. Many people drive past a beautiful landscape and it fail to notice it until they see my photo.

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

CT : I feel a glow of pleasure and animation.

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

CT : My photos are largely self-inspired and I have not taken influence from elsewhere.

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

CT : Trial and error, but I did have a natural gift which cannot be taught.

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

CT : Ansel Adams

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

CT : Not had any yet ! :-)

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

CT : Impossible to say. My environment and things in it give me pleasure or not.

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

CT : When I was nine years old I was on a camping holiday on a beach in Italy. A large rowing came ashore onto the beach filled with a fish catch. I grabbed my Mum's camera from her hand and took a marvellous snap of the boat and the fish. All my extended Family loved the picture when we got home and it inspired me.

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

CT : Just seeing and capturing a beautiful view.

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

CT : When I was nine years old I was on a camping holiday on a beach in Italy. A large rowing came ashore onto the beach filled with a fish catch. I grabbed my Mum's camera from her hand and took a marvellous snap of the boat and the fish. All my extended Family loved the picture when we got home and it inspired me.

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

CT : Who knows ?

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

CT : Please enjoy my work and when you are out in the World, leave a small footprint.