Kawn Designs

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Kawn Designs ("KD") 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?

KD : I did my bachelors degree in Architecture at the University of Jordan then did my Masters Degree in Design Futures at Goldsmiths Collage- University of London. My first design job was a site based architect with the team that worked on implementing the interior design of the Royal palace in Jordan. It was a great exposure and it made me see the the importance of the details. I enjoyed the learning process and seeing ideas becoming real. After that, I started taking interior design projects because I felt confidant dealing with interiors. Meanwhile I took projects in which I did the architecture, Interior design, interior decoration and landscaping. My design expertise got expanded as I had to deliver and could not accept a compromised outcome. I understood that design is a way of thinking and approaching problems. Design is all about finding smart, simple and creative comprehensive solutions to needs and problems. The more projects I completed the more I felt that interior and furniture design is my true passion.

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

KD : Its my passion and what I do best. I enjoy the process of creation more than anything else. I still feel that I own the world every time I finish a design and see it come to life and the mount of joy and happiness the design brings to me and my clients

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

KD : I chose it and had to fight for it. My dad wanted me to be a dentist and it was a big struggle to make him accept my choice to study architecture.

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

KD : I design furniture, interiors’ and architecture and in personal occasions I step into fashion. I would love to focus on furniture and products design more.

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

KD : Have faith in the power of their ideas. Listen to their clients and address their dreams and needs. A design that solves a problem and cater for a need is already a successful design. Not be scared of breaking the norms.

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

KD : A great design can wow the observer decades after its done but a good design can sustain its beauty for maximum of 10 years then fades with trends. A great designer can create timeless beauty despite all challenges, budget, context, social limitations, norms, etc… A good designer can create beauty but with no limitations involved.

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

KD : A good design is a timeless sustainable design that solves a problem or fulfills a need and is beautiful regardless of the context.

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

KD : A really good design lives through generations without getting old or useless. As a matter of fact a good designs ages very gracefully. They never loose their edge or charm.

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

KD : I would love to design functional, sustainable and beautiful furniture for low budget houses. I believe that beauty and style should not be exclusive to rich. Everyone should afford it.

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

KD : To work on the restoration of a historical building and turn it into a boutique hotel with all the details of finishing, furnishing, lighting and exterior. To create an exceptional experience that connects the past with the now gracefully.

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

KD : I design with love. I feel my designs and sympathize with my clients. I switch places with my clients and try to understand what fulfills their dreams of the perfect living. I question my definition of functional and beautiful over and over until I get it as right as possible.

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

KD : Frank Lloyd Wright Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe Philip Starck Tadao Ando Gabrielle Bonheur known as "Coco" Chanel

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

KD : •The Eames Lounge Chair and ottoman designed by Charles and Ray Eames for the Herman Miller. Its timeless and elegant and add to any interior space regardless of the interior design statement intended. •Fernando Mastrangelo sand mirrors. I admire the ultimate simplicity and uniqueness. •Melt pendant light by Tom Dixons. I like the light fluid distortion of the the round shape and the sharpness of materials used. •Falling water house by Frank Lloyd Wright. The integration with nature is done beautifully. •Totems lights by Prateek Jain and Gautam Seth from Klove. The whole collection is unconventional in the way it referred to an ancient tribal symbol that carried sacred significance.

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

KD : The Royal lounge at Jordan’s new airport. There was a design competition and I won the award of the best design and got the project. The space was so challenging, very long and narrow (6 X 80 meters with very high ceilings and 80 m long continuous glass overlooking the runway. Being a lounge at the airport the design had to have a glimpse of Jordan in it. So I created sliding metal screens with poetry of Jordan perforated with Arabic calligraphy. Walking by the long window became a beautiful experience because one would be busy reading the poetry and admiring the details. Those magic screens not only added a beautiful experience to the lounge but also created an outstanding reflection on the floor in the afternoon. This project with all its details is still my pride and joy those it was done in 2016.

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

KD : The key to becoming a good designer is to dare to challenge the norm and to be open to explore all possibilities. Staying safe and in one’s comfort zone can only create ordinary designers and outcomes. One very important tip is to love what you do and to truly have a real passion behind your design. Passion and purpose can do miracles.

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

KD : I think a lawyer.

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

KD : Its very difficult to define design. It can have so many meanings and translations. Design can be an endless list of things we do every day without even noticing. Design is fulfilling an existing need by adding a hint of beauty to an old room. Design is the art of using the right material, color, piece of furniture, art in the right place. Design is the ability to combine opposites and make them look inseparable. Design is the ability to see beyond the parameters that people see.

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

KD : My family is my biggest support. But I also had a dream, and I couldn’t let it go.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

KD : I have high expectations from myself and never stopped trying to learn more and perform better. I do not stop designing ever. My mind and eyes are trained to scan every single detail everywhere no matter what the occasion is and honestly, it’s a sickness. I also was lucky to get great opportunities and clients’ who totally believed that I have what it takes to transform their living spaces to magical rooms. The more faith they had the harder my job became and the more I tried to live up to those expectations.

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

KD : Finding the right opportunity was a main struggle. Building the right team and creating common language, understanding, trust and continuity was another obstacle. Getting the execution of the design done properly is also a challenge.

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

KD : It depends on the context, client, project. There is no one right answer. But visuals are very important when presenting any design. Clients related to visuals a lot more than text or technical drawings. But any design in any context must be presented with confidence, love and faith.

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

KD : I am working on a new furniture collection using old middle eastern tiling patterns in a modern twisted way in both metal and wood. So far, the outcome is looking great and I'm very excited about it.

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

KD : My ultimate goal is to set the furniture design trends in the MENA region and to design a whole collection for Roche Bobios and Minotti.

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

KD : People expect creativity and understanding. Being a good designer goes hand in hand with being a good listener. If you can’t hear you clients with sympathy and love when they are talking about their needs and issues and experiences you can never offer the solutions that work for them.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

KD : Properly designed cities, neighborhoods and buildings proved to have a major positive impact on the behavior of the users. When all the details are thought of and spaces are designed and furnished properly people will find it harder to misbehave. Having a bench in a park, distributing trash bins properly in a street, designating a path for cycling and many other little detail that affect the everyday behavior of the users.

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

KD : I am working on a landscaping project with a pool and its facilities. The project owner is a beautiful family who intend on enjoying every part of the garden which is making the project more enjoyable. Having a different feel and purpose for each zone to accommodate usages throughout the day and achieving the right balance between water, green and function areas is a nice puzzle that I am truly enjoying.

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

KD : All the projects that created happiness to their owners

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

KD : I would like to see more originality and less copying.

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

KD : It depends on the size and type of project.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

KD : Be Original

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

KD : Design certainly sets trends

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

KD : I find sketch up very resourceful and user friendly. 3D max is another powerful software to show the piece the way it will truly look. But I also need to see a mockup in the real size of the piece if possible, to make all the final decisions.

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

KD : How can this simplicity look this beautiful?

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

KD : What a beautiful mind!

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

KD : My best design partner is my manufacturing team lead by my carpenter. When I come up with a great design, I know it will not be complete until I discuss it with my workshop team. The excitement and energy and great ideas I see there is an inspiration on its own. I also love working with designers from different backgrounds and disciplines. Each designer I co worked with taught me something new.

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

KD : All my clients, the difficult and the easy ones. I did learn something from each project I designed. Contractors and workers who execute the designs taught me a lot.

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

KD : Furniture in Architecture: The Work of Luke Hughes “Architecture for the poor” by Hasan Fathi. The Century of Modern Design. S,M,L,XL

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

KD : I worked very hard and didn’t give up. I always believed that I can do better and I can offer more. I did lots of mistakes and I over-designed and over analyzed and got the design all wrong until I eventually got it right. The most important lesson I learned is truly “less is more” and its not only about how the design looks, its mostly about what it means

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

KD : Barack Obama

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

KD : I am not famous yet but can live with the hardships that might come with fame.

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

KD : Color: White Place: Anywhere by the sea Food: Burgers Season: Summer. Thing: A brass sculpture in my bedroom by an Iraqi artist. Brand: I don’t have a favorite brand. I go with what my heart desires not by brand.

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

KD : One of those days I got a call from a potential client who happened to be the biggest advertising agency in town at that time. They bought a new building and wanted to discuss with me the possibility of doing the interior design for them. I got so excited because it’s a nice project, in a great location with amazing exposure. They gave me directions and we set an appointment and somehow, I got confused and could not find the exact address. So, I called the client and he was explaining to me how to get there, until I interrupted him saying that “I am parked in front of an ugly building with a colored roof top” and this ugly building turned out to be their new offices!

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

KD : A lot of things can make a great day, a nice song in the morning, a good workout, a smile from a beloved one, a call from client saying “thank you for changing my mornings by your design” and many other little things that make a good day great. The freedom I have a designer is a bless and a curse at the same time, I can either be the most productive or go on for weeks without achieving much. To get over that and to stay motivated I make lists, I truly cannot function without them. I sometime even make the list after getting things done to assure myself that I am on top of things.

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

KD : I don't think so.

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

KD : I want all my fans to know that every piece I designed has a part of my heart and soul in it. Most of the pieces started with a memory or a sketch or a talk with a dear friend and took part of my sleep and dreams before it turned into its final shape. Each piece has so much character that only those who see themselves as special can relate to and want to own.