Simone Hutsch

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Simone Hutsch ("SH") 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?

SH : I studied graphic design in Berlin, where I learned the fundamentals of visual communication, typography, and digital design. My education was supplemented with photography courses, which helped me develop a well-rounded approach to creativity.

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

SH : I’m motivated by the idea of solving problems through creativity. Design allows me to blend aesthetics with functionality, creating solutions that are both beautiful and effective.

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

SH : I became a designer because it felt like a natural extension of my interests and skills. I’ve always been creative throughout my whole life.

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

SH : Young designers should be curious, constantly learn, and stay open to feedback. Keep pushing boundaries and don’t be scared of failing.

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

SH : A good designer creates functional and visually appealing work. A great designer, however, pushes boundaries, evokes emotion, and creates memorable experiences that stand the test of time.

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

SH : Good design is intuitive, solving the user’s problem seamlessly while being aesthetically pleasing. I evaluate design based on its usability, originality, and the emotional response it generates. If design is made good, sometimes it’s not even noticeable, like one navigating through an online shop, buttons are where one would expect them, the checkout is quick, etc.

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

SH : Good design enhances user experience like I just mentioned in the previous question. It fosters brand loyalty and drives business success. It’s an investment that pays dividends in customer satisfaction and market differentiation.

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

SH : Designing doesn’t feel like work it’s more like freedom, I just love what I do and that leads to motivation to never stop exploring.

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

SH : To improve as a designer, one should stay updated with design trends, and continually practice, and take on diverse projects to challenge oneself and expand your skill set.

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

SH : Something with sports (my other passion in life), maybe a PT?

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

SH : Design is a problem-solving process that combines creativity and functionality to enhance user experience and interaction.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

SH : I constantly keep pushing myself and asking myself: Is this the best I can do in my current stage? Taking the extra mile is worth it and I keep challenging myself with things I’ve never done design-wise to get better and expand my skill set.

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

SH : I think when it comes to presenting work, choose a medium that fits the project. Talk about it with passion, showcase the problem, the design process, and the solution’s impact.

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

SH : A new exhibition would be great but first I want to finish a new series. I’m currently looking into a new series of surreal budlings in surreal landscapes, I want to combine a bit more nature photography I did during my last long holiday in America with my buildings. There’s a lot of Photoshop work to be done still.

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

SH : I’d like to create work that not only stands the test of time but also contributes to peoples happiness.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

SH : Good design helps to create a better society by improving functionality, accessibility, and aesthetic value in everyday objects and environments.

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

SH : A new photo series that merges nature and architecture.

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

SH : In my day-to-day job, I work in healthcare design and it always makes me happy when we have projects coming into the agency that lead to improving people's lives/making things more accessible.

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

SH : I’d like to see a better work-life-balance.

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

SH : AI is a big thing that’s currently happening.

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

SH : I start new design projects with thorough research and understanding the client’s needs and goals, followed by brainstorming, looking for inspiration and sketching ideas digitally.

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

SH : Technology plays a crucial role in design, enabling innovation, precision, and new possibilities that were previously unimaginable.

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

SH : I use a variety of design software of the Adobe Creative Suite.

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

SH : I’m inspired and motivated. I’m looking carefully into it to understand why it’s so successful and how I can incorporate similar excellence in my work.

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

SH : I developed my skills through continuous practice, learning from critiques, and staying updated with the latest design trends and technologies.

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

SH : I would love to meet and discuss design with Jessica Walsh.

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

SH : While awards and recognition are gratifying, they come with the pressure to continually meet high expectations. However, I embrace it as motivation to keep improving.

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

SH : My favorite color is blue, favorite place is Berlin, favorite food is a banana, favorite thing is my bike, I don’t have a favourite season, and favorite brand is Nike.

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

SH : We once had a client that judged my website design by printing it out. He decided that the colour of his text marker is so great that he’d like to have some words highlighted on the actual site as well. Also, all the type was too small to read as he printed the whole site on one A4 sheet.

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

SH : As a child, I was always drawing and building things. It was clear early on that I had a passion for creating, which pointed towards a future in design.

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

SH : Not sure if humanity will still exist by then…