Mimaya Dale

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Mimaya Dale ("MD") 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?

MD : I have been playing piano since I was three years old, I have always been artistic. I have a Psychology degree from University in Canada, Goldsmith training, Graduate Gemologist degree at GIA.

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

MD : I appreciate beautiful things and love jewelry. I became a jewelry designer because I could not really find jewelry that appealed to me. I decided to design and make my own at home which was the starting point of my career.

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

MD : I was directed to take this path, from my mother and my instinct.

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

MD : I design jewelry. Jewelry for men and unisex jewelry is something that I would like to design more of in the future.

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

MD : Focus on quality and not quantity.

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

MD : Good designers design for themselves. Great designers design for others.

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

MD : Style, quality, technology and appeal are essential for good designs.

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

MD : Good design is often more expensive but lasts longer.

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

MD : I would love to design clothe, handbags and shoes.

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

MD : Having a solo exhibition in Milan, I am starting to see the vision now though!

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

MD : Secret ingredient in successful designs must be the eye for detail.

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

MD : Old Japanese legendary artists.

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

MD : I respect designers that are unique, and continue to stick with their uniqueness.

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

MD : My greatest design are my kids...! They are the results of my inspiration and life experiences. They give me the greatest joy and challenges, my husband and I are teaching them to be a responsible citizens of society, making sure that they will bring positive influences to our planet.

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

MD : See different kinds of art, be open minded and be worldly.

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

MD : I would probably work for a jewelry company using my graduate gemologist degree from GIA.

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

MD : Design is based on my personal life experiences brought to life from inspirations.

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

MD : My husband, my Dad, my Mom, and my Kids gave me the physical and mental support that I needed.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

MD : Friends and family who supported me and encouraged me to follow my dream.

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

MD : The biggest obstacle I had was to believe in my self, that it is possible to chase my dream even after becoming a wife and mother of two boys.

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

MD : There is no right or wrong way to present their work, as long as he or she has a professional attitude with confidence.

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

MD : Now I am an award winning designer, I would love to design in different fields that can be collaborated with my jewelry in order to produce the total fashion scene.

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

MD : My ultimate goal as a designer is to establish a reputation that is built on high quality, to be content with my designs and work, and my designs to be loved.

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

MD : As long as I live I will keep moving forward and challenge myself with new things. Therefore you can expect that I will not be boring!

DL: How does design help create a better society?

MD : If I could design and produce meaningful more pieces of art that people can enjoy and appreciate, that is a wonderful feeling.

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

MD : I have a vision to branch out from my jewelry designs to other fields, and I get very excited about thinking about it.

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

MD : All projects that I was involved are all really special and I can't pick one!

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

MD : I think the current trend lacks a certain style overall. People feel comfortable wearing jewelry that has no personality. People choose quantity over quality and invest their money in low quality pieces which in the end costs them more. I would love to see people re-think about investing in quality products.

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

MD : The new design industry should focus on designs that are quality based, and are helpful to people and the environment.

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

MD : Few days to few months, until I am completely content with the project.

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

MD : Rough sketch on my sketch book first.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

MD : Quality over quantity.

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

MD : Absolutely both!

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

MD : Without getting proper help from technology it is pretty difficult to design in this modern world. However, the traditional concept of arts and beliefs, old craftsman skills and knowledge, can not be ignored to produce excellent design products.

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

MD : Matrix 9.0 for CAD software.

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

MD : Colors, ambient, materials are all necessary when I start designing. I then change or/and add more details depending on the designs.

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

MD : I like explaining to people who ask me, what are the meanings behind my designs.

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

MD : The first thing that I picture into my mind when I see a great designed product is the designer's face. I imagine who the designer is, where the designer comes from, and what he or she looks like.

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

MD : Maybe, with the right timing and right person.

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

MD : People who influenced on my designs are the ones who have told me to stick with my style when I was still studying to become a designer.

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

MD : Books about Kimono and Kimono colors that I purchased in Japan a long time ago had the most effect on my designs.

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

MD : By getting older means getting wiser and I think that is how my skills developed.

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

MD : My ancestors who are not here physically but I know they are here spiritually. I would love to talk to them and find out their personal histories.

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

MD : I just enjoy every moment and every bit of recognition, because it is a reward for my hard work. I just take it humbly. I know above all else I have a job to do and to quote my husband, "Do the job and get it done!".

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

MD : Navy blue and yellow gold are my favorite colors. Favorite place is anywhere near the ocean. Summer and spring are my favorite seasons.

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

MD : All the failures and rejects from my past experiences may be funny in some sense!

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

MD : As a designer I am always dreaming about something. And having a big dream helps me to motivate myself for sure.

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

MD : According to my mother I was very artistic when I was little, not sure if she thought I would become a designer but she knew I had some artistic talents.

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

MD : It is really difficult to picture what will happen in thousand years from now. But all I can hope for is our next generations to have brighter future, filled with excitement and happiness.

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

MD : I care deeply about the environment, and I am an ocean lover.