Sophia Neill

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Sophia Neill ("SN") 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?

SN : I have always had a strong interest in creative subjects, ever since I was in pre-school. I attended boarding school in Christchurch, New Zealand from the age of 12. Here I learnt that my creative interests went beyond the subjects taught at school, i.e visual arts and graphic design. When I was looking at university studies, I was instantly drawn to the work that was completed at Victoria University of Wellington for its quality of innovation. Naturally, I proceeded to study my Bachelor of Design Innovation there and have thoroughly enjoyed the challenges they set for me in the three years of the degree. I am 21 now and have begun studying my Masters of Design Innovation, where I wish to continue in a more specific area of 3D printing for customizable products.

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

SN : As I am still studying, I find motivation in the projects we are assigned. The projects tend to provoke thought around how existing designs or systems could be further advanced using the latest technology. As to why I became a designer? It just happened. There was never a point at which I decided I wanted to become a designer, it happened naturally as the opportunities became available to me as I grew older.

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

SN : I have completed small projects that are of all kinds. As a young designer, I do not feel I should have one area that I want to design for yet. I am wanting to get involved with projects of all kinds, to explore properly the capabilities of my skill set. In doing this I will gain knowledge that can be mixed with new areas of design, broadening my scope of the products or innovations that I may design in the future.

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

SN : I think the really good designs tend to prove themselves. A really good design will tell its own story and take itself places once it has passed initial recognition. Good design is not decided by one person, it is decided by the population that gets the opportunity to experience it.

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

SN : Good design may require a slight shift in system which might come at a cost, however if it is good it would prove itself to be worthwhile.

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

SN : Prof Nari Oxman of MIT is someone I would aspire to work for or alongside, to work on a project with advanced 4D printing in relationship to biomimicry.

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

SN : To never underestimate those crazy initial concepts. However, I would not say I have had enough success stories to base this opinion off.

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

SN : I find inspiration in the works of Philip Stark and Zaha Hadid, for their work takes some of the most ordinary objects or architecture and makes them beautiful in simplification and organic form.

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

SN : I do not have a specific design in mind, however I enjoy design that is thought provoking or has a behavioural influence simply from the form of the object.

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

SN : Find passion in the area you design, as this is where I become the most creative and explorative. Not only this, it is a motive to create work that goes beyond the normal design parameters.

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

SN : My family and friends at university are my greatest support. My brother specifically is my biggest motivator as he always rings me to find out what my latest venture is and always shows the utter most excitement. I hope there is never a day that I disappoint him with an idea when he calls.

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

SN : 4D printing for customization in unique footwear. I wish I could share more, so ask me again in 14 months.

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

SN : To go to sleep at night knowing I have used my set of skills to improve the big problems that the world is facing currently or might in the future.

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

SN : I am currently working on my Masters degree which is by far the most exciting project I have ever worked on. The project is 4D customized printing combined with a design area which I have a strong passion for.

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

SN : I find it very satisfying when I have an idea and theory in my head that is successful when I go to make it. An example of this was a project I did using the Stratasys J750 3D printer and I worked out you could use coloured light to cancel hide colours within the 3D print. This project is on my online portfolio.