JASON MIZRAHI

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer JASON MIZRAHI ("JM") 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?

JM : My academic background is in Architecture, but my passion is to put beauty and form together in the most unique way. My training in Architecture provides the underlying concept in my unconventional designs that are compositions defined by proportion.

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

JM : I’ve always been a very visual person who can hone in on a particular element that speaks to me, and immediately begin visualizing its potential. There is a wealth of visual inspiration that allows me to see things not for what they are but rather what they can become.

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

JM : I absolutely chose to become a designer. I don't think anyone should be forced to become a designer because the vision and inspiration primarily come from within.

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

JM : Each design is a personal pursuit to balance elements heavily rooted in minimalist design and architecture to create an aesthetic vision of contemporary lines with a classic feel. I’m currently working on developing a collection of furniture and lighting pieces centered towards contemporary luxury with a timeless feel. I initially started creating sculptural edition pieces which was more about the expression of the material and less about everyday use. Now the challenge becomes how to unify the same contemporary elements to create unique, functional furniture for residential and contemporary use.

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

JM : Persevere and do not follow what is trendy but create something unique.

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

JM : A great designer is one who creates something beautiful and timeless and is not interested in just designing things that are commercial. A good designer produces what is commercially popular.

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

JM : The artistry in the design evokes some emotion and enjoyment, thus making the piece a collector’s item.

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

JM : Good design is timeless.

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

JM : I would design something sculptural and timeless for someone who appreciates art being integrated into a design, be it furniture or lighting, that goes beyond the boundaries of an era.

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

JM : A home with minimalist architecture filled with furniture and lighting designs that make each space unique and yet flow seamlessly.

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

JM : Each designer has his/her own individual recipe for success. The definition of success, however, varies with each individual. My definition of success is to get recognized for designing pieces that evoke a response, "That design is Jason Mizrahi's" and no one else's.

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

JM : Frank Gehry was the first architect that showed me the possibilities of thinking intuitively . Seeing Bilbao for the first time inspired me to sketch without constraints and begin to view things not for what they are but rather what they can become. I began developing an interest in sculptural and expressive works from Calatrava, Picasso, Ron Arad, and Mcqueen all who were able to break free creatively. expanding upon design elements across various disciplines. Their work made me feel excited about design and in a way creating my own designs has been an omission to want to retain that feeling as much as possible.

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

JM : Through design, I apply a minimalist approach that utilizes concepts of fluidity and balance expressed through the language of color, texture and shapes. I think the Belcanto or Symphony chair are equally great designs. Each piece comes from a desire to breathe life into design, thus, becoming more about the expression of the material and discovering its potential unrestrained by convention.

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

JM : Focus on your vision but be receptive to feedback from people who opinions you value. Do not make your designs replicate an element from someone else's design. It is better to be copied than to copy.

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

JM : I would have remained in the field of architecture and design minimalist homes without sacrificing functionality.

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

JM : Iconic design attains the perfect mastery of elements from the past, present and future to create something new, powerful and exciting. It sets the standard, creating a movement that inspires one to become more.

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

JM : My family is my biggest supporter.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

JM : Staying focused on what I wanted to achieve in my designs and yet, integrate what the client wants.

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

JM : Finding local artisans who can fabricate and who understand my designs.

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

JM : There are multiple ways of presenting one's work and each designer does whatever works for him/her. I do not believe there is one formula.

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

JM : I never want to be considered a one-dimensional designer and am working on expanding my designs so these are more suitable towards minimalist comfort. I will be introducing more fabric and texture that develops a tone of masculine luxury. I will continue to have two lines of furniture – The “Limited Collection” and the “Home Collection.” The former consists of sculptural edition pieces that are more about the expression of the material and less about everyday use. The latter, on the other hand, is a collection of pieces centered towards contemporary luxury with a timeless feel. The challenge is to unify the same contemporary elements to create unique, functional furniture for residential and contemporary use.

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

JM : I have a selfish desire to unify elements of design and art to create minimalist pieces that embody a strong but silent presence in contemporary form. My creativity is fueled by the challenge to design furniture with lines that elicit emotions from the viewer.

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

JM : I think people expect each piece to breathe life into the design, thus, becoming more about the expression of the material and discovering its potential unrestrained by convention.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

JM : Art and design help create a better society because these are motivated by creativity and beauty, rather than by a search for material compensation. Nowadays, I think society is more focused on making money and equating the esthetic value of art or design to how much it costs.

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

JM : I am currently working on a lighting collection that conveys the same aesthetic as my furniture designs.

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

JM : Belcanto and Symphony are the most satisfying. The lines of Belcanto change the general perception of a chair as being static and structural. Wood is pushed to its limits by exposing its potential to be fluid, dynamic and continuous. Symphony attains a balance between form and function, art and design, positive and negative space. Elements of movement, dance, sculpture, and continuity are infused into the design of Symphony.

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

JM : More individuality in the designs.

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

JM : I’ve noticed a strong display towards color and texture, modular furniture, increasing competition in lighting as well as a desire to make furniture for multi-use. Designers continue to expand upon what they envision is either necessary or missing to occupy our spaces and even though trends change the commitment to challenge yourself to produce something better will always be the same.

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

JM : 6-8 weeks.

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

JM : Depending where I see the final design going, I start to envision what materials or combination of materials would work best for that particular design. I spend an equal amount of time understanding the restraints and advantages of each considered material combined with the cost and techniques of fabrication.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

JM : Furniture should be sleek, elegant, practical, but also represent and showcase uniqueness

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

JM : I think that, initially, design sets the trends and then the trends set the designs. Trends change the commitment to challenge yourself to produce something better

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

JM : I’m not sure that technology has influenced my designs. However, some of the technologies have made it more feasible to fabricate my designs in a more timely manner.

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

JM : AutoCAD and 3D Max.

DL: What is the role of the color, materials and ambient in design?

JM : I feel color is representative of how a person would want to be perceived and projects how the space is intended to be used.

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

JM : What is the inspiration behind the design.

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

JM : An increased appreciation and respect for the designer.

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

JM : I prefer to work alone.

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

JM : My career is, and continues to be, shaped by friendships and acquaintances, regardless of how brief they might be. Every brief conversation with another designer/architect/artist/client adds to my knowledge base on what designs I could generate based on anyone’s lifestyle – from simple elegance to artfully luxurious.

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

JM : There are too many to list here.

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

JM : First of all, I would not call myself a master designer. To be honest, my skills were developed by a series of trial and error due to my inherent trait of being a perfectionist.

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

JM : I would like to meet and speak with Michelangelo.

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

JM : I do not consider myself famous. I do think that I have received recognition for my designs.

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

JM : I favor neutrals instead of bold colors. My favorite place is Vienna in the spring. I love Mediterranean food and Italian fashion.

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

JM : I designed a chair with symmetrical lines and made of wood. It has a lot of negative space and someone thought it was a desk for a child.

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

JM : My day is great when the concept is materialized into something I can touch and see.

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

JM : No. My parents are in science and finance, hence, the artistic gene must have been from my grandmother.

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

JM : I think the future is daunting and I just hope that humanity survives.

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

JM : All of my designs pieces have a sculptural quality to them; a statement frozen in material that yields a piece which brings a space to life. My furniture is bespoke and the goal is for each design to be a statement piece.