Rezvan Yarhaghi

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Rezvan Yarhaghi ("RY") 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?

RY : I studied graphic design in art school, but later pursued architecture at university because I felt I could achieve more success in that field. I hold a strong belief that architecture is the mother of all arts, a discipline that bridges creativity with social impact.

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

RY : Design is my way of connecting with people and the environment. I’m motivated by the idea of creating meaningful spaces that improve human well-being and reflect cultural values.

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

RY : I chose to become a designer. My passion for architecture grew naturally from my early interest in art and space.

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

RY : I design residential villas, office buildings, and cultural spaces. I would love to design more projects that combine Iranian traditional elements with modern approaches, especially therapeutic and sustainable spaces.

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

RY : They should deeply explore their cultural roots, be patient in their creative journey, and always seek meaningful connections between people and place.

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

RY : A good designer meets the client's needs; a great designer elevates the experience beyond expectations and creates timeless impact.

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

RY : A good design is one that solves problems while evoking emotions. It must be functional, sustainable, and inspiring.

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

RY : Good design improves quality of life, fosters community, and adds long-term value. It's not just about aesthetics; it’s about enhancing experience and efficiency.

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

RY : I would design a cultural-therapeutic center in my hometown of Kermanshah, integrating nature, traditional Persian architecture, and neuroscience principles.

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

RY : A self-sufficient eco-village in Iran that blends smart architecture, sustainability, and Iranian design heritage.

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

RY : Authenticity. I try to remain true to the culture, climate, and spirit of place while balancing modern needs.

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

RY : Nader Khalili, Zaha Hadid, Peter Eisenman, and Rem Koolhaas

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

RY : I truly find it hard to choose. As an architect, I find all great works of architecture deeply inspiring and thought-provoking. However, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater House and Guggenheim Museum always captivate me.

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

RY : Taravat Villa. It combines traditional Iranian elements with modern warmth, using brick, tile, and thoughtful spatial storytelling.

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

RY : Read, travel, observe, and reflect. I also practice spiritual presence and deep listening to context.

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

RY : Probably a writer, dancer, or psychologist—still involved in creative and healing fields.

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

RY : Design is the translation of meaning into space, form, and experience.

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

RY : My faith in God and support from my inner circle, including a few professors and my spiritual partner.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

RY : Curiosity, resilience, and a constant desire to serve and inspire.

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

RY : Financial limitations, societal expectations, and moments of self-doubt.

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

RY : With clarity, storytelling, and emotional resonance.

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

RY : Let’s keep it a secret for now—some things are more magical when they unfold in their own time.

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

RY : To create spaces that heal, inspire, and connect people with themselves, each other, and the divine.

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

RY : They expect vision, cultural sensitivity, emotional intelligence, and a commitment to excellence in every detail.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

RY : Design can restore harmony between humans and nature, foster inclusive communities, and elevate the human spirit through beauty and meaning.

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

RY : I’m exploring a series of adaptable therapeutic environments based on mirror neuron stimulation and emotional resonance in spatial design.

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

RY : My modern courtyard home and Taravat Villa both brought great satisfaction. They reflect my passion for blending tradition, nature, and well-being into everyday living.

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

RY : I’d like to see deeper focus on emotional sustainability, fairer opportunities for women and minorities, and broader integration of spiritual intelligence.

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

RY : Towards more intuitive, neuro-responsive, and soul-centered design—where AI assists but the human spirit leads.

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

RY : Depending on the scale, anywhere from a few weeks to several months. Conceptual clarity and client trust speed up the process.

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

RY : I start by listening—first to the land, then to the people. I study the context, culture, and energy before touching any tool.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

RY : Design as prayer, architecture as love

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

RY : Timeless design sets the trends. It leads with vision rather than following fashion.

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

RY : It’s a servant, not the master. It helps me explore forms, simulate environments, and express ideas—but never replaces soul.

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

RY : AutoCAD, Sketchup, 3d Max, Adobe Photoshop, and I use AI to test conceptual ideas.

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

RY : They are like poetry—setting mood, grounding the senses, and shaping the emotional atmosphere of a space.

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

RY : I wish they’d ask, “How does this space make people feel?” or “What story are you telling here?”

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

RY : I wonder what values and emotions shaped it. I also reflect on how it can teach me something new.

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

RY : Yes. My ideal partner is someone who listens deeply, challenges me gently, and shares a spiritual and emotional design language.

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

RY : My professors, a few mentors, my clients, and local Iranian artisans.

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

RY : The Timeless Way of Building" by Christopher Alexander, "The Eyes of the Skin" by Juhani Pallasmaa, and the poetry of Hafez and Rumi.

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

RY : hrough continuous learning, emotional reflection, and daring to bring vulnerability into the design process.

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

RY : Rumi, Frank Lloyd Wright, Nader Khalili, and Leonardo da Vinci.

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

RY : Recognition is meaningful, but I try not to attach to it. What matters most is staying true to my path and purpose.

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

RY : Color: Clay red and turquoise. Place: Zagros Mountains. Food: Fast Food. Season: Autumn. Thing: My journal. Brand: I prefer handmade and local over big brands.

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

RY : To be honest, I don’t have a particularly funny story that stands out. But if anything, I’d say the sleepless nights before deadlines—half-lost in sketches and renderings—are the kind of chaotic moments that make this journey unforgettable in their own way.

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

RY : When I see light in a client’s eyes or find a design that just feels “right.” My motivation also comes from prayer, poetry, and gratitude

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

RY : It was always clear that I would become an artist of some kind. I used to draw the best paintings in class, and creativity was part of my identity.

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

RY : Design will become energetic—spaces will shift dynamically with our emotions and needs, and architecture will help elevate human consciousness.

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

RY : Every line I draw is a prayer for peace, a whisper of beauty, and a tribute to my homeland. I design to reconnect.