Meet the Designer's Desk

How would you define yourself as a designer?

I would say my approach to design is with irony and wit. My style is
direct and my goal is to be memorable, like nice perfume.

In your opinion, what is the most important step of the
design process?

A quick, often rough, sketch that really captures the essence of an idea. We
tend to think a marker drawing or a detailed sketch meant for presentations
shows the creative moment, but often that simple sketch is a doorway to so
much possibility to develop your idea.

What’s your favorite item on your desk?

My origami Doberman Pinscher. I started making origami dogs after I saw a movie about
Dobermans when I was young. Finding the unique characteristics of each kind of dog and
translating those features into paper construction has many parallels to the design process.

In your opinion, what is the most important step of the
design process?

Ideation and brainstorming. While it’s important to make something
pretty and stylish, coming up with a good idea takes hard work. In
my opinion, a good idea ultimately yields good results.

How would you define yourself as a designer?

I think experiencing new things is important. I personally like to
learn and feel new things. Accepting them, visualizing them and
organizing them into something I could use later on in my work is
what inspires me and my design.

What’s your favorite item on your desk?

An empty perfume bottle I use to put flowers in. The bottle is curved,
which I prefer to the straight lines of a normal perfume bottle.
Some days there will be ranunculus, and other days, I’ll have
pompom flowers that really brighten up my desk.

In your opinion, what is the most important step of the
design process?

I think the direction of the design and the core value comes
out during the ideation stage. But really, every step along the
way is equally important.

How would you define yourself as
a designer?

Experiencing as many things and as
much as you can. Nothing is more
important than that.

What’s your favorite item on your desk?

My earphones. While they may look like hearing aids and not
very high-end, the sound is impeccable. And because they
fit inside your ear, they’re good for times when you want to
avoid outside noise and really concentrate on your work.

What’s your favorite item on your desk?

LEGO IDEAS 21301 BIRDS. The fact that a bird lover developed
this LEGO IDEAS series and that it’s so cute to look at makes it
the most important thing on my desk!

In your opinion, what is the most important
step of the design process?

Research and ideas. During this stage I really get my inspirational
juices flowing. I find out about different worlds and experiences
that add to the creativity of the project.

How would you define yourself as a designer?

I aspire to be a designer that makes something
that gets better over time.

What’s your favorite item on your desk?

My Galaxy Note 10.1. Since I don’t always carry around pen and
paper, the tablet really comes in handy. Whether it’s in
meetings or on my day off, I always have it close by.

How would you define yourself as a designer?

Because I view being a designer as needing to understand the inner workings
of a product or a project and not just the superficial details, I strive to meet and
converse with professionals from diverse fields and backgrounds. If you lend an
ear to what they’re saying you’ll gain valuable insight into what consumers
need, if not society as a whole.

In your opinion, what is the most important step of the
design process?

In school I thought it was having a good idea. Now, after working a bit, I
realize that it’s the final attention to detail when complete the project
or product that really makes the difference.

What’s your favorite item on your desk?

Messages from my colleagues. When a project becomes difficult or we reach a
standoff, the kind words of encouragement from my team members or others
in the office often help me back on my feet so I can continue to trudge on.

How would you define yourself as a designer?

I’ve always wanted to move hearts with my design work. Finding
out what exactly triggers such emotions and thoughts has been
a recent pursuit of mine.

In your opinion, what is the most important step of the
design process?

Design research. It’s vital to find a basis for your design and to
develop a goal for it. Research is fertilizing the seed of creativity
for your design work.