Doug Garven

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Doug Garven ("DG") 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?

DG : I have been a designer for over 30 years in the Health Industry, designing durable medical equipment and specializing in high-tech, ultralight manual wheelchairs. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design from Kent State University.

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

DG : I enjoy the challenge of creating something new and original, to take something that would be considered ordinary and turn it into something really cool!

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

DG : I chose to become one after two years of studying Mechanical Engineering and realizing I was more into the creative side of things than the physical mechanics of making it function.

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

DG : I design high-end manual wheelchairs and as a chair user myself, that will always have a place in my heart and occupying space in my brain thinking of ways to do differently. I enjoy the creative, problem-solving side of new projects and not just the form development.

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

DG : Find something you enjoy doing and work hard at trying to be the best you can be at it. There has to be a passion involved with what you do, otherwise you will just be going through the motions and not enjoying what it takes to succeed.

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

DG : That level of dedication and personal involvement, to not be satisfied with "good" and pushing yourself to make it "great"!

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

DG : A clarity of form and purpose is a fundamental of really good design. There should be no question about what something is, at least not when it comes to product design.

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

DG : Good design helps to make the world a better place! This can be through solving a problem, improving someone's life or even just improving their mental well being.

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

DG : Wow, I'm not even sure how to answer that question. I would love to work on integrating accessible design solutions better into new architecture to eliminate physical barriers and make it not be a detraction to the overall aesthetic.

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

DG : That is a tough question as the TiLite CR1 was my dream project I've been wanting to do and spent the last 30 years gaining ideas for from other design projects.

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

DG : Every design should have a feeling, an underlying emotion to it and it is up to you to try and communicate that.

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

DG : Leonardo da Vinci, some automotive greats like Marcello Gandini, Battista Farina and Ferdinand Porsche. Also some furniture designers like Marcel Breuer.

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

DG : I am a big car enthusiast so lots of automotive designs, especially classics like a Ferrari 250 GTO or a Porsche 911. If we're talking furniture the Wassily Chair stands out in my mind. All of these designs are timeless and still look beautiful by today's standards.

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

DG : The TiLite CR1 carbon chair I am most proud of. It is a design driven by its functionality that created a purity of form that is a first for a product category that dates back to the late 1800's.

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

DG : Rely on your strengths but focus and practice on your weaknesses. Don't be afraid to learn from others.

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

DG : I would have become an Engineer, an unhappy one.

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

DG : I define design as how something is created, how its form is defined by its function.

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

DG : My parents who supported me and paid for my education.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

DG : A thorough understanding of each project and what is being asked. Learning all that you can about a project to better understand what is being asked of you.

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

DG : Experience, learning what you don't know and if you don't know, asking for help.

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

DG : As detailed and accurately represented as possible, full-size prototype models if possible.

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

DG : That is difficult to say. I am close to retiring, relatively speaking, and would like to explore doing something outside of the medical industry.

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

DG : First and foremost is to solve the problem presented and to try and do so in a way that maybe hasn't been thought of before and with as pleasing aesthetics as possible.

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

DG : Everything that was just mentioned in the previous question.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

DG : If done well, it solves a problem and improves a person's life either physically or intrinsically.

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

DG : I am helping to lead a design team on some new chair designs fabricated out of titanium which is an awesome material but presents its own challenges due to its manufacturing complexities and limitations.

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

DG : The high-end projects as they offer more opportunities creatively by not being limited financially. This is especially true in DME (durable medical equipment) industry.

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

DG : Better funding and assistance for individuals that don't have the financial means to afford the nicer equipment. Which, in my design industry means lighter weight and easier to push wheelchairs which have proven health benefits when it comes to long-term, repetitive stress type injuries.

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

DG : In the US health industry, it's a continual battle against reduced funding and trying to come up with more efficient manufacturing technologies. Lots of potential in the world of 3D printing.

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

DG : That is relative to the project size and the materials involved/selected. Normally, it's anywhere between 18-24 months for a new wheelchair design to go from concept to production.

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

DG : After learning all that I can about the project and what is involved, concept ideation and form generation. Everything from quick sketch concepts to rough prototyping of more complex mechanisms.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

DG : I have never been asked that one before......how about a number, 100%! That represents giving everything you have and should be your effort on everything you do.

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

DG : This depends more on your chosen design field, but I would say really good design sets the trend, don't follow, create!

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

DG : Technology plays a huge part, whether it's in the software used to help create a design, the physical technology utilized within the product itself or the manufacturing technology used to make it.

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

DG : SolidWorks is our primary design software.

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

DG : Depending on the project, they can be as critical and important as the design itself, especially materials. They define the essence of your project, what it is, what it's going to look like, how much it's going to cost, etc.

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

DG : To question why it looks different and the inspiration that drove the final design form.

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

DG : I think this is so cool and makes so much sense, a level of appreciation for a job well done.

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

DG : Someone who, hopefully, brings a different and complimentary skillset to the table.

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

DG : Typically, it's the Engineers that have the most influence on a design as whatever you create, it still has to work or be manufacturable.

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

DG : "Start With Why" by Simon Sinek.

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

DG : Practice and experience to learn what you're passionate about and enjoy working on.

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

DG : I would love to share a glass of wine or two with Leonardo da Vinci and talk about design.

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

DG : Yes, I am not fond of talking about myself or my work. It doesn't mean I am not proud of it or honored to be recognized but it is not my normal nature to self-promote.

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

DG : My favorite color is black but if we are talking traditional colors, then it would be blue. Favorite place is somewhere warm and by the water, food is freshly grilled fish, season would be summer, thing would be sports cars and band would be Nine Inch Nails (Trent Reznor).

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

DG : Well, the only funny stories I can think of center around tradeshows or conferences from back in the day and involved the consumption of too much alcohol, so I don't want to set a bad example. :)

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

DG : Every day is the opportunity to try something new, don't be afraid to try something because you won't know if it's worthwhile till you do. It will always be in the back of your mind as a "what if".

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

DG : No of course not, but it was obvious I enjoyed drawing and coloring and had a propensity for doing something creative.

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

DG : Ha, another deep question, these are some good ones! 1,000 years from now, barring some natural or man-made calamity that has set the world backwards, I like to think we will have some really cool technology in our lives. Floating cities, and maybe (finally) some flying cars!

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

DG : I am done talking about myself and for anyone who has lasted long enough to get to this point, I truly thank you for your time!