Yamile Salomon

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Yamile Salomon ("YS") 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?

YS : I graduated in graphic design in 2009, from the Instituto Superior de Diseño, Havana, Cuba.

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

YS : When the design assignment makes me think and investigate, when is it is something new, a challenge. The idea of creating, that something you think can be brought to reality is exciting, to say the least. The passion for creating.

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

YS : In Cuba to study design you had to take attitude tests that lasted 3 days, these tests I arrived by chance because I did not know before that there was a design career, but once I began to discover in those days what design was all about, it was a decision without turning back.

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

YS : I love the design made for a specific person or specific event. A personalized design.

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

YS : Be persistent and consistent in what you believe and do. Passion and stay curious about all design processes and live.

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

YS : Understanding the problem to be solved with the design, a strategic vision and a clear understanding of the needs of the public or the client, to find the best solution that in a unique and creative way works in terms of communication, economy and production for all. The curiosity to keep exploring and to think that there may always be a better solution.

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

YS : The concept should drive all solutions, the clear and simple communication over beauty, the strong message that can be understood by the audience for which it was created. The idea behind the final form. This is how I evaluate a design.

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

YS : Chris Do, Philipe Stark, Milton Glaser, Paula Scher, and the Cuban designer Erik Ravelo

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

YS : Recent work for a Cuban writer, an assignment with a special theme: exile, a subject that touches the fibers of this person and of the current Cuban panorama, that makes it special and important for me, because it touches me as a Cuban and it is my small contribution to visualize the current situation of my country.

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

YS : Keep dreaming, keep learning, keep doing.

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

YS : Design for me is storytelling.

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

YS : My parents and a few friends always support me and push me to keep going, no matter what.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

YS : Focus and believe in what you do.

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

YS : Rejection, understanding that sometimes, your design is not made for the general public, and this means that sales, the appreciation of your work, can take longer than you thought because closing your niche means specializing, and specializing means speaking the same language as a small audience, finding this audience has been the biggest challenge for me.

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

YS : My next project is a collection inspired by musical instruments and music styles.

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

YS : I don't really know what people can expect, I just hope that my passion for design will continue to enlighten me and that this will allow me to continue creating for everyone who needs and appreciates it.

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

YS : Is the same answer to a previous question: Recent work for a Cuban writer, an assignment with a special theme: exile, a subject that touches the fibers of this person and of the current Cuban panorama, that makes it special and important for me, because it touches me as a Cuban and it is my small contribution to visualize the current situation of my country.

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

YS : Approximately 4 to 5 weeks from the idea, the mock-up, and the final piece.

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

YS : Who is it for?

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

YS : Make it valuable!

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

YS : I think the good design, that it makes whit a purpose doesn't work for trends, although those trends, sometimes, are the solution.

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

YS : I work with Illustrator and all equipment for jewelry making: cutter, torch, hammer, needles, etc.

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

YS : Transmit sensations and communicate.

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

YS : Cuban people.

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

YS : Chris Do, Seth Godin, Gary V, Freddy Mercury, Buddha, and God.

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

YS : I really don't feel famous. I am still learning what this award means.

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

YS : My favorite color is yellow, my favorite food is all kinds of vegetables and cheese. My favorite things are chair design and I don't have a favorite brand.

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

YS : Do, at least, one thing that means something to a person.

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

YS : When I was little I used to draw and write, but those things never made me aware of design, maybe a little bit of a creative spirit.

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

YS : A crazy, crazy world, perhaps a disconnection from the true essence of the human being. Disconnected from being a real person, with shadows and lights, who needs to interact, touch, smell, feel, and express. A future only real in the digital world for me would be very sad.