Interview with Faldo Andreo

Faldo Andreo ("FA") interviewed on Wednesday, 15 May.

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?

FA : I am more than 8 years in design industry and consultant in diversified categories (since 2010), including city planning for mayor candidate and numerous property developers. Mainly a consultant for Property Developer, Architecture and Interior, but also a published architectural books writer, guest speaker in notable seminars, former Autodesk Instructor at ATC, former managing director of property developer and former research & development for creative paper-product manufacture company.

How did you become a designer?

FA : Art is my passion. Architecture is everywhere. Wherever I am, I'm always observing Interior Spaces and Architecture on how does it perform in real life and how to make it better. I am quite perfectionist and critical in creating better living space, and that's what makes me a designer.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

FA : The most important aspect in designing is the end-user itself, as everything is created to fix the flaws and fulfill the client's demand. This is the top priority to achieve high satisfaction and design-accuracy. Everything else are following. If I could understand my client(s) and their problem(s), then I know exactly what tools and steps do I have to take.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

FA : Nothing particular. Art is an express of emotion(s), while architecture is something that you created for the user. So, how do I control my emotions when designing is more important than expressing my free-will of emotion.

What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?

FA : It's quite a long journey. In short, I am a fast learner, especially in learning new technology that could help me in achieving my dream. As I would like to master all design software, I'm end up becoming an instructor and writing book about BIM Software. Then the journey leads me to get involved in diversified design industries, but everything are round-up to Architecture.

What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?

FA : I am planning to create a design hub. A firm that involves internally for several company and bridging their design difficulties. Not only limited for architecture, but a consultant that could help any difficulties in starting and/ or maintaining planning development of property developer companies.

What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?

FA : Do not let fame and the size of a design firm be your standard measurement of a success. Be yourself.

You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?

FA : Do not let someone who could not value a design let you down. They may not understand it yet, but in fact, they are already using the benefits of design in their daily life.

What is your day to day look like?

FA : I do not keep myself in specific routine as I would like to improve myself everyday. Daily routines could make someone spend their life in non-improving years, but I am adopting priority professionalism which work on something that requires prior action and work over-time as needed.

How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?

FA : Going online. As space and distance are limited, online publications/ media are covering almost everything that happening now, including design trends. I am always keeping up with the latest international design trends from online news as local trends are something that I could face directly, everyday.

How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?

FA : As what I mentioned earlier, client's demand is the top priority to follow in achieving work-satisfaction. There is nothing defines as a good design, a well-designed is when I could fulfill my client's demand. Art is an abstract objectives that may differ in point of view, but demand is an absolute objective that could be won by solving their problems.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

FA : A design is ready when it is tested by feasibility studies and proven by the client (or end-user for property developer). For an architecture, it is complete when it is done and used by the user.

What is your biggest design work?

FA : It is hard for me to name a specific work as my biggest design work, because I am always giving my all in all design projects and all of them have a special part in my heart. In short, just like a parent who treat their children. I do treat them equally, giving my best and I do proud of all my projects.

Who is your favourite designer?

FA : Zaha Hadid and Foster & Partners company. They are all great designers and inspires designers worldwide, including me. I do like them the most as their work is always something "out-of-this-world", futuristic and a great example of post-modernism architecture.

Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?

FA : As I am living in Indonesia, a rich in culture and nature, architecture becomes a part that needs to express its natural beauty while providing solutions for the user. There are also wide opportunities in development, especially architecture. Resorts and Low-cost Residential are also become a prime objective of several developers which designer need to give the best in it.

Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?

FA : I do have trusted business partners such as notable contractors, civil engineers and designers. They are all trusted by experiences as I am working with them for years. They are also have a good reputable portfolios. Honestly, I am quite difficult to trust a project with new people as it carries my client's trust. In a specific case, I do work alone for a design project that need incremental attention.

What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?

FA : Me as a designer is responsible to create better living for humanity. It is not by chance or an option to choose, but a designer is existed to fix the flaws and solve the problem with creative solutions. In this case, all designers are responsible to design something better everyday in order to get quality-living.

What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?

FA : As A' Design Award is the most prestigious and surely the highest caliber among other design awards, it is such an honor to get involved and attend the La Notte Premio. It giving an exclusive actualization as a designer and we could meet other great designers worldwide. What I mean as great is an award winners from all over the world. Something that I could not experience anywhere else.

Faldo Andreo Profile