ERIC LALANDE
LEGENDARY INTERVIEW
Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Eric Lalande ("EL") 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?
EL : As a kid, I would always try to figure out how objects and products were made. Eventually, it was just a natural progression.
DL: What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?
EL : Curiosity is my driving force.
DL: Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?
EL : I chose to become a designer. I am a late bloomer (lol).
DL: What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?
EL : Useful products.
DL: What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?
EL : Be curious and always improve their skills.
DL: What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?
EL : I am still trying to figure that out.
DL: What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?
EL : Personally, a good design is something that is useful. A "nice" product kept on a shelf and never used has no interest to me.
DL: What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?
EL : My opinion on this issue is very simple: We are in the business of creating value. Value-added products should bring more sales.
DL: What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?
EL : I always incorporate inclusive elements in my designs. If I had the time (and resources), my next project would be something related to mobility.
DL: What is the dream project you haven’t yet had time to realize?
EL : A reimagination of the door handle.
DL: What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?
EL : My intuition.
DL: Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?
EL : Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Philip Johnson and others
DL: What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?
EL : Muscle cars. I just like them.
DL: What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?
EL : The paper clip: simple, cost-effective, useful, intuitive.
DL: How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?
EL : Get a job in a shop. Find a job where you have to work with your hands. I had the privilege in my twenties to work for a pipe organ builder. This helped me better understand the relationship between design and manufacturing.
DL: If you hadn’t become a designer, what would you have done?
EL : Mechanical designer
DL: How do you define design, what is design for you?
EL : Making something better. Anything can be designed or redesigned.
DL: Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?
EL : My teachers.
DL: What helped you to become a great designer?
EL : My curiosity and a good amount of luck (lol).
DL: What were the obstacles you faced before becoming a design master?
EL : Time. I am a late bloomer.
DL: How do you think designers should present their work?
EL : So far, entering design competitions has worked great for me.
DL: What’s your next design project, what should we expect from you in future?
EL : My next project will be for the aerospace industry.
DL: What’s your ultimate goal as a designer?
EL : Have fun every day.
DL: What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?
EL : If you can figure that out, please let me know (lol)
DL: How does design help create a better society?
EL : I'm interested in inclusive design.
DL: What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?
EL : It's a secret... (lol)
DL: Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?
EL : My final project in school. It was my first time designing something from A to Z.
DL: What would you like to see changed in design industry in the coming years?
EL : Some designers should focus their energy on the design process and less on their ego.
DL: Where do you think the design field is headed next?
EL : We will have to wait and see.
DL: How long does it take you to finalize a design project?
EL : It varies.
DL: When you have a new design project, where do you start?
EL : Sketching, sketching, sketching...
DL: What is your life motto as a designer?
EL : "Will this be useful?"
DL: Do you think design sets the trends or trends set the designs?
EL : It works both ways.
DL: What is the role of technology when you design?
EL : It varies. I am interested in crafts as well as mass production design work.
DL: What kind of design software and equipment do you use in your work?
EL : It's a toolbox. You have to select the right tools for the job.
DL: What is the role of the color, materials and ambient in design?
EL : Very important. I like using colors to had a fun element to my designs.
DL: What do you wish people to ask about your design?
EL : "Where can I get one !!!" (lol)
DL: When you see a new great design or product what comes into your mind?
EL : Why didn't someone think of that before?
DL: Who is your ideal design partner? Do you believe in co-design?
EL : It depends on the work. Some work is better done alone. Some works require a team.
DL: Which people you interacted had the most influence on your design?
EL : So many people had an influence on my vision of design. The list would be endless.
DL: Which books you read had the most effect on your design?
EL : Mechanical Handbook 26th edition, books about Cubist-Impressionists painters, books about crafts and metalwork.
DL: How did you develop your skills as a master designer?
EL : Trial and error.
DL: Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?
EL : John B. Watson
DL: How do you feel about all the awards and recognition you had, is it hard to be famous?
EL : It's more about improving my skills than being famous.
DL: What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?
EL : Orange, Tokyo, New Orleans cooking, Fall, watches, Coca-Cola
DL: Please tell us a little memoir, a funny thing you had experienced as a designer?
EL : During my school days, I made a cardboard model of a product for an exhibit. I used the wrong scale for my prototype. I ended up with a model half the size of the others student's models. That was a fun learning experience.
DL: What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?
EL : I stay motivated by alternating between design work and craft projects.
DL: When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?
EL : I would take apart appliances to see how things worked.
DL: What do you think about future; what do you see will happen in thousand years from now?
EL : The future is uncertain...
DL: Please tell us anything you wish your fans to know about you, your design and anything else?
EL : I am a jack of all trades.
ERIC LALANDE
LEGENDARY DESIGNER
ERIC LALANDE IS A DESIGNER, TECHNOLOGIST, AND ARTIST. VARIOUS FIELDS OF INTEREST FEED HIS EVERYDAY DESIGN WORK. WITH EXPERIENCE IN DESIGN, AEROSPACE, AND CRAFTS, HE BRINGS HIS UNIQUE POINT OF VIEW TO EACH NEW PROJECT AND ENDEAVOR. WITH A STRONG EMPHASIS ON FUNCTIONALITY AND USER EXPERIENCE, MOST OF ERIC'S DESIGNS INCORPORATE INCLUSIVE FEATURES TO ALLOW FOR MORE PEOPLE TO USE THEM.
Esc Syringes Transport Container by Eric Lalande
