Interview with Zeinab Iranzadeh Ichme

Zeinab Iranzadeh Ichme ("ZII") interviewed on Sunday, 3 May.

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

ZII : I have an Associated degree in Graphic design and a BA in Fashion Design. After graduating from Graphic design, I immediately started working for some companies and I started working as a Freelance designer since 2011, as I moved forward, I had the opportunity to work with "XGABRIELX Productions" as a pattern designer. This helped me publish my first books on pattern design by Mode…information GmbH, which is an essential part of my journey.

How did you become a designer?

ZII : I enjoy expressing my emotions over designing. I love the process of creating and expressing myself through it, that’s the main reason for choosing to be a designer.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

ZII : My design process like any other starts with an idea, then I'll decide about how to express it, sometimes I have to go to the experimenting phase to can decide better about the final result. I could use almost anything regarding my inspiration to achieve my goal in the final step. There's no restriction, the journey could start from a simple sketch on a piece of paper and going through realistic painting mixing with digital modifications. But there’s an essential key to all of them and it's about enjoying all the steps.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

ZII : First of all, I have to mention that there is no project until I feel good about it. It means the most exciting part would be the idea. So, if I feel awesome and great about any idea I start the design process, and then the feeling through the whole journey will be the same and as a consequence, I will have a good design that expresses my feelings to others. That is called an absolute pleasure.

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

ZII : In my childhood, my paintings and drawing comparing to other kids weren't good at all, and I remember that my mom was very worried about it! But I always enjoyed doing them and as my cultural background, I was surrounded by colorful surface patterns and motifs. Also, my father's job was not related to art, but he has a passion for art, and as I remember he always has done many craft and creative kinds of stuff and installation for my birthday or for decorating my childhood room. As a result, all of them accompanied by my positive feelings about them shaped me as a designer.

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

ZII : As I changed my point of view I try to not to have any plan! All I'm trying is going with the flow and paying more attention to how I feel when I want to start a new project. I think when you achieve something then next step you want something more, by the moment it would be about an expansion of my designs based on new fascinating ideas and having my own shop to sell surface pattern designs for the home sector as well as fashion.

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

ZII : I think each one needs to go on his/her path and experience a lot of things to find their own way, cause I believe each one could be a unique one.

What is your day to day look like?

ZII : I get up early and I meditate every morning or even during the day. I do some exercise, cause it also helps me a lot to can free my mind and being more concentrate on my ideas and new projects, besides I'm training myself to enjoy little things in my daily life because the good feeling is something essential for my day. I try to pay attention to my feelings during the day, so if I feel bored or any other feeling related to it, whatever that I'm doing I will try to stop it, at least for that moment.

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

ZII : I update myself with all the trends information, but it doesn't mean that the trend by itself could catch the control of my new project. I mix the trends with my personal style or even an idea. This process by itself depends on my projects, but still, there are some projects that they are totally free of them.

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

ZII : In a good design, you must pay attention to every aspect related to design functionality and usage. But I think the most powerful and important part would be the idea. It's not about simplicity or being complicated. I think a good design it’s made by the harmony between the designing process part which starts from an idea and it ends with the final result.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

ZII : It totally depends on how I feel about it. I evaluate my feeling about a finished project with the feeling that I had when I got my idea, if they are the same or even stronger (obviously in positive aspects), it would be an absolute yes.

What is your biggest design work?

ZII : There are many of them published in my own books. I like the most of my floral patterns as well as animals that I created them inspired by my cultural heritage motifs. They are pieces that every time I take a look at them, I can get a good vibe from them.

Who is your favourite designer?

ZII : william morris, Yayoi kusama, henri Gillet, Alexander McQueen, Viktor and Rolf...

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

ZII : I lived in many countries and currently, I’m living abroad, but definitely I think my cultural heritage and background play an important role when it comes to design, I'm an Iranian freelancer artist and as you see my different artworks at least you can find some cultural aspects on them. The repetition, the bold and sharp colors, as well as symmetry and a mix of geometric lines with organic ones...etc, those are some aspect that you can find in historical motifs and designs of my country.

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

ZII : Nowadays, regarding our environment, I think, first of all, I have to pay even more attention in terms of creating a new project. I have to create a piece that transmits positivity, happiness, and a lot of good feelings to others, a piece full of joy that could distract them, even a second from all the things that they are surrounded by.

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

ZII : I think the most beneficial part for me, as a designer, would be helping me, even more, to maintain my current level of creativity in terms of every aspect of work quality and it pushes me into a higher level of the creative process.

Zeinab Iranzadeh Ichme Profile