Kasun Wadumestri

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Kasun Wadumestri ("KW") 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?

KW : My professional design journey began after completing my GCE Advanced Level. I then pursued a Graphic Design NVQ Level 04 certificate at the National Vocational Training Institute in Sri Lanka, which laid the foundation for my design career.

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

KW : I’m not entirely sure how I became a designer, but I’ve always had a natural inclination toward visual expression. From childhood, I was constantly visualizing and creating in my own world. At first, I aspired to be a cartoon artist, and although I didn’t pursue that path, my love for creativity eventually led me to design without fully realizing it at the time.

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

KW : I consciously chose this path as my career. It was a decision driven by my passion for creativity and design.

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

KW : I enjoy designing and creating work that resonates with me on a deeper level. I’m particularly drawn to sensitive topics, whether they relate to social issues, animals, humans, or nature. These subjects inspire me to explore meaningful design that can spark awareness and emotion.

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

KW : I don’t consider myself a design legend, but if someone aspires to make a lasting impact, I’d advise them to follow their heart and create work that feels true to who they are. Immerse yourself in your art and allow others to experience your creative world. Remember, art isn’t just for the artist—it’s meant to be shared with the world.

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

KW : "Good" refers to many, while "great" refers to few. And "few" means rare—something hard to find, which makes it valuable. Value comes from the strength of the idea, and ideas are born from imagination. To be great, you need to continually expand your imagination—keep pushing boundaries, keep expanding... keep expanding...

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

KW : "Good" is a relative term, and what makes a design truly great is its ability to bring about a meaningful change. A really good design has the power to create a positive impact, whether that’s through solving a problem or shifting someone’s perspective. Its effectiveness lies in how it transforms the way we think, see, or interact with the world.

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

KW : Good design goes beyond aesthetics; it adds value by making things more intuitive and efficient for everyone, not just a select few. By investing in good design, you can create lasting impressions and build meaningful connections with your audience that endure over time.

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

KW : As I mentioned earlier, I would focus on designing for society, nature, and animals. These are areas that deeply inspire me, and I believe design can make a meaningful impact in raising awareness and fostering positive change.

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

KW : I prefer not to reveal my dream projects until they’re realized. But stay tuned—the best is yet to come.

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

KW : The secret ingredients of my designs are nature, society, culture, and life itself. These elements inspire and influence my work, helping me create designs that are meaningful and impactful.

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

KW : To be honest, I draw inspiration from anyone around the world who offers new knowledge. Since my focus is on visual communication, I explore a wide range of art and design.

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

KW : As of 2024, my most impactful design is the "Masterpiece of Abuse" campaign for the Women in Need Organisation. The campaign shed light on the year-round issue of abuse faced by women, rather than focusing solely on International Women’s Day. It introduced "Ewa – The Masterpiece of Abuse," a statue crafted from newspaper stories that documented instances of abuse over the previous year. Ewa was displayed in public spaces, symbolizing the hypocrisy of celebrating women’s empowerment for just one day while ignoring the ongoing struggles women face throughout the rest of the year. The campaign ignited important social conversations and garnered widespread media coverage. The core insight behind the campaign was the contradiction between Women’s Day advertisements celebrating empowerment and the news stories about women’s abuse published alongside them. By using these real stories of abuse to create Ewa, the campaign exposed this hypocrisy and highlighted the disconnect between the messages of empowerment and the persistent challenges women continue to face.

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

KW : To become better designers, people should continually study and challenge their own thinking patterns and preferences. This ongoing self-reflection and learning process is key to growth.

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

KW : Sometimes, will be a creative writer or a teacher.

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

KW : Design is anything that involves thought and intention. Without thinking about something as a design, how can we truly recognize or introduce it as such? Design has no limits, no boundaries, and no specific space—it can exist anywhere, at any time. While this might not be the conventional view, it’s how I see it.

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

KW : colleagues of mine

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

KW : Before becoming a design master, I struggled with understanding who I truly was. It took two to three years of self-discovery to recognize my potential.

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

KW : More than a designer, I see myself as an artist. Every artist has a unique way of presenting their ideas, and similarly, designers should present their work in a way that reflects their vision. Ultimately, the audience connects with the artist through the design.

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

KW : When designs are of a high caliber, people will value them. If they don't resonate with the audience, they will be overlooked. As an artist, I plan to focus on creating more designs that address societal issues in the future. This is what people ultimately expect from both artists and designers.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

KW : Good designs will awaken the eyes of the society.

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

KW : The "Masterpiece of Abuse" project brought me the most satisfaction because it involved significant contributions from both society and my friends. The collaborative effort made it deeply meaningful and impactful.

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

KW : In the coming years, I’d like to see new technologies being leveraged to raise awareness about social issues in the design industry.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

KW : Believe in yourself and never give up.

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

KW : I believe it's a dynamic relationship where both design set trends and trends influence design.

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

KW : The role of technology depends on the specific design and its requirements.

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

KW : I don’t think there’s one specific book that had the most effect on my design. I typically read novels and poetry, as they nourish my mind and fuel my imagination.

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

KW : I believe it became clear to me that I would be more of an artist than a designer.