Natasha Mozz

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Natasha Mozz ("NM") 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?

NM : I I've been working as a graphic designer, art- and creative director for more than twenty years. Currently I am collaborating with creative agencies around US working mostly on brand identities and marketing campaigns. I have masters degree in graphic design, also I have spent a year studying type design and calligraphy.

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

NM : Design is a great communication instrument. For me it’s also a way to understand the world better.

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

NM : I am focused on brand identity systems and marketing campaigns. Would be very interesting to design something interactive as a part of the brand system.

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

NM : Analyze everything. The key to success in design is an understanding of how it works

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

NM : A good designer knows the rules and knows how to do all the right things to create something amazing. A great designer knows also how to break the rules and change the rules to create something outstanding.

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

NM : Really good design is always thoughtful. It solves a problem, it translates the message, it creates some specific feel, and it helps with some kind of communication in a very logical, calculated way. It doesn’t mean that visually it should be dry, minimalistic, or uptight — not at all. It can be the craziest visual ever, but if it’s good there’s always some thinking behind it. That’s how design is different from art.

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

NM : As a tool for communication —just like with any language, if it’s not working, the message will be not understood. A poorly developed brand, UX, marketing materials are a waste of money. Visually, even for people who don’t understand anything about design, the sloppy design creates the same subtle feel as dirty shoes: we don’t necessarily look at them but they damage the overall impression.

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

NM : I would be happy to design a few books, both fiction and non-fiction, and also I would love to design for some music-related institution someday.

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

NM : Analyzing everything, constantly learning new things, being kind to people, working hard, and enjoying life

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

NM : Analyzing constantly how design works. Why something that looks nice — looks nice. Why exactly something that looks horrible or annoying is not working. What was the thinking process behind the project. In most cases, it’s the work that can be done in mind, by switching from passive to active perception, but going through case studies also can be super informative.

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

NM : Most likely I would be a musician.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

NM : Among many other things — studying type design. For a year I was doing just that, and in the end, I’ve got not only valuable another skill, but also a deep understanding of how typography works in communication. How the slightest change in letter shapes changes the feel. Another thing —building my own startup. After spending a few years “on the other side” I understand much better my clients' perspectives and the real value of what we do as designers.

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

NM : In the very beginning the most painful was a lack of real works in portfolio. I had to invent projects and find clients among friends and family to gain experience and works to show.

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

NM : I believe that explaining the process is extremely important. Of course, images themselves should explain the idea very well, but giving additional information on how it was created, what was the thinking process, the task, the challenges, the specifics of the market, and so on is extremely valuable.

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

NM : I think that design in general will be more about the tailored experience for each customer. Brand systems will be much more flexible, described rather through the behavior of elements than the elements themselves.

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

NM : Normally it takes a few weeks or a few months but depends on the project of course.

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

NM : Unless it’s already done — research. What is the business/product about, what is the market, target audience etc.

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

NM : Trends in general are a side effect of big design processes. The biggest mistake designer could do is to chase trends. General understanding of the visual language of today is important, but the way design looks should grow naturally from its meaning, not from inspirational boards.

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

NM : Most of my work is thinking so not big.

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

NM : Adobe, Google Docs, Figma

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

NM : The same as intonation in any speaking language.

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

NM : I do believe in co-design, and most of my work is teamwork. My ideal partner would be someone with complementary skills —for example, motion design.

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

NM : I really started growing fast as a designer after I’ve developed a habit of analyzing every visual work I see.

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

NM : I would love to discuss art with Albert Einstein

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

NM : Black, Central Park, tiramisu, spring, piano, Parachute.

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

NM : I guess we will do a lot of Mars-specific design projects.