Albert Potgieter

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Albert Potgieter ("AP") 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?

AP : I was a Physiotherapist in South Africa before I became a designer. I don’t really have a background or education in designing. I learned on the job.

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

AP : The dream I have for the business is my motivation and the reason I became a designer. The dream for the business is that I can grow the business into a place where I can get people into the workshop (people without skills or education - off the streets or refugees etc), teach and mentor them and in that way use the business to have an impact in people’s lives.

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

AP : I choose to be a designer, but it came because of the dream that God placed on my heart.

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

AP : I design wooden functional art pieces. I would like to design more different products in the future and also more architectural designs.

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

AP : Just start, take one step at a time and don’t give up.

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

AP : I think balance. Just a great design is not good enough. You need to have more, like being able to work with people. Integrity, good communicator etc.

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

AP : Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but also a good design needs to touch on functionality and look good. It needs more than one element of good.

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

AP : There is a saying in my native language that translate into - buying cheap is buying expensive. And this is what good design can conquer. Good design can last a life time.

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

AP : I love designing functional art objects like I do now but I would also like to design home spaces, like architectural design or interior designs.

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

AP : I have a lounge chair design that I’ve been working on for quite some time. It has potential. I’d like to realize that.

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

AP : Try and get away from the hustle and bustle of every day life. Go walking in the morning, take quiet time, get into nature. It’s only a full cup that can overflow.

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

AP : Angelo Mangiorotti George Nakashima Pierre Chapo

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

AP : Pierre chapo’s round dining table and shelving system Sergio Rodriques’ Kilin Chair or Sheriff lounge chair George Nakashima’s Conoid dining chair There is something about simple strong lines in furniture that I really like and all of these above have that is some way.

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

AP : I think of my Optique Bench as my greatest design. Just because of what it started. It was basically the first of my pieces that launch me into the Design world.

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

AP : Don’t be scared to try new things and take chances. Well, you will probably be scared, but do it anyway. Don’t stop learning from others. Don’t stop growing.

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

AP : I would still have been a Physiotherapist

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

AP : Design, now, is like a lifestyle to me, I can’t turn it off. I am always taking in different lines and shapes around me, always thinking of new ideas or designs. Design is trying to make something beautiful with whatever your hands are touching. Trying to create something better. Design is also a little bit of yourself or what you are going through that comes out.

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

AP : Definitely my wife

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

AP : People around me

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

AP : There are many in different seasons, but the biggest obstacle I face currently is time management. Trying get things off my plate so I can focus on designing and not the 100 other things that I am not good at.

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

AP : In their own style. Don’t all present it on a white background because that is what everyone does. Find your style and go for it.

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

AP : I am designing a new Optique dining chair and some smaller abstract functional objects.

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

AP : My ultimate goal is when I can grow my business into a place that mentors and teaches a multitude of people while making great handmade designs.

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

AP : People expect to get what is promised or what is seen on pictures. The same quality and excellence every time

DL: How does design help create a better society?

AP : I think it challenges progression and is always pushing at change.

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

AP : I am working on a more sculptural functional art range. Very excited! Then I am also working on a design range that I use to mentor and teach people on. It’s very new but I have a few pieces already. The idea is that it should be minimalistic and have a lot in the pieces as to be able to teach skills on each piece.

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

AP : The sculptural functional art pieces I mentioned above. The process is fun and the end result was better than I thought it will be.

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

AP : I would like to see design incorporated into every company and every problem. Designers think out of the box and might find different solutions.

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

AP : It seems like design is becoming more and more abstract but I think there will always be people that wants strong sculptural, minimalist and brutalist kind of designs and there might even come a time that people will fall back into that. More tangible design.

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

AP : This depends on each piece. My own designs takes months from idea to prototype, but the making of the prototype usually takes between 1-2 weeks

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

AP : I start with finalizing the design, ironing out the detail and try and make sure I know what the client wants. There will be communication back and forth until the client is happy.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

AP : Never stop growing.

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

AP : Design sets the trends

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

AP : My designs are hand made, but there is always technology playing a part. My design program and my tools are technology, the rest is manually

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

AP : I design everything on my iPad on two apps - Concept and Shapr3D Equipment that I use are quite a bit as I work mostly with wood and need all kinds of tools

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

AP : O wow massive. One small change in either of these can make a massive difference in a design.

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

AP : Where can I buy it :)

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

AP : I like to look at it and study it. Trying to learn from it and take inspiration from it. I would often also like to find out how it is built or put together.

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

AP : Yes definitely. I love collaboration. The ideal design partner would be someone that thinks different from me, so we can learn from each other and compliment each other.

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

AP : People that I worked with in the past and sometimes still do.

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

AP : Books that influence my character. Good to great - Jim Collins Becoming a King - Morgan Snyder Chase the Lion - Mark Batterson X - John Bevere Driven by Eternity - John Bevere

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

AP : By learning form others, taking chances, trying new things and trying think artistic first before thinking practical.

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

AP : I would love to talk to Michelangelo, people like Pierre Chapo or George Nakashima

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

AP : O my word. I’m not famous. I and my business still have so far to go. I don’t want to be famous, I want my designs to be well known yes because it brings exposure and with that I can use it to grow the business into a place where I can mentor people on those designs.

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

AP : Color - earth colors Place - Stellenbosch, South Africa or the Family farm in South Africa Food - ribs Season - definitely summer Thing - Multi tool knife Brand - leatherman

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

AP : I once took a friend with to a exhibition opening and would tell him a few times, I’m just going to walk through the exhibition as I want to see the designs and meet people, but he would keep telling me he will just stay here with the food. Hahaha. I enjoyed that moment a lot.

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

AP : I love working with wood and figuring out what piece will look the best where. It makes my day every day. Also the place I work at is great with a lot of entrepreneurs

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

AP : Hahaha no

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

AP : In a thousand years I will probably still be doing this. Just with some different company around me and not for money but for the love of it

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

AP : I would love people to know about the mentorship program that I started called Redemption Designs. The goal of all my designs and work is to grow this side of my business. To get to a place where I can mentor people and grow a furniture design business that makes hand made designs while having a impact on the people creating the designs.