Interview with river

river ("River") interviewed on Monday, 26 March.

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

River : I have no formal Art education as I'm a high school drop out, everything I know I've learned by myself. I've been an artist since 1998 and have worked with many different mediums over the years: photography, video, interactive art, installation, sculpture. I've shown my work worldwide at galleries and museums.

How did you become a designer?

River : It was never much of a conscious choice. I'm on the Autism Spectrum and always had difficulties expressing myself, thus Art was a natural path. I was driven by a strong desire to reach out and translate my own self to the world and fellow human beings.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

River : It's important to me to create something that is both visually pleasing and functional. Perfection is also a visceral need of mine, I could never even fathom the idea of releasing a piece that is not of the best quality.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

River : Excitement, from a new idea sprouting until its full completion. I strive on problem-solving and creating a new piece always come with a series of problems that need to be resolved. The creative journey, fixing issues, finding solutions, is what really gets me going. It's very rewarding in itself.

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

River : I think my Autism allows me to think differently and outside the box. I might also have made things more complicated but, overall, I consider it a strength, as I'm good at finding solutions.

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

River : I had to overcome a lot of challenges because of my Autism, the journey was not easy and often lonely. But since 2015 I've found people to support my vision, either as backers or business partners, I'm very thankful for them. Currently, my ultimate dream project is to design my own house in Japan.

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

River : Do not be afraid! If your ideas are truly innovative, people will eventually recognize them and support your projects. Think big, this is our duty as humans to advance our culture and technology.

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

River : Do not be pretentious and be open to people. I had no peers to help me in my various endeavors and I really wish I had people to ask for pieces of advice or support. Helping fellow creators is part of a fulfilling creative journey.

What is your day to day look like?

River : I'm trying to no longer be a workaholic and give myself time for personal improvements. In the mornings I work out, meditate and study Japanese, then work in the afternoons. I try to force myself to no longer work on weekends or until late in the evenings. It's a tough habit to lose, but giving yourself time is fundamental. I still feel guilty for not working nonstop sometimes, it's really a process.

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

River : I do not follow any trends at all. I do follow the works of artists I like. I also follow science advancements, that inspires me a lot. But SF books might be the most constant variable for inspiration.

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

River : When it's both visually pleasing and practical. If it doesn't improve your daily life in some way, then it failed as a good design.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

River : When I'm fully satisfied with a prototype and that it no longer requires improvements. If a piece could still be made better in its current state, in the technological context of the time, then it's not ready. I thrive on perfection, I could not imagine ever releasing something that was not 100% ready.

What is your biggest design work?

River : My SpaceTime Coordinates projects, I was very much obsessed with the idea of illustrating time and the human life within the context of space. I've been working on the first prototypes back in 2014 and I was very surprised by the popularity of the first project that I launched on Kickstater in 2015. I had no idea it would resonate with so many people then. I'm glad I found business partners who believe in my projects and with whom I have created a company together in 2017, to allow me to focus exclusively on exploring new ideas.

Who is your favourite designer?

River : I admire the visionary mind of Elon Musk, it's inspiring to see someone trying to really make a difference and make us dream of a better future. It's a shame that most companies are more focused on profit than true innovation. I hope more people are going to follow his influence, and create for the sake of progress not wealth.And I like that he's not afraid of getting involved in so many different industries, I can really relate to that, as I never quite understood why one should remain stuck within one industry, one category, one skillset, one life... I hope someday I'll be able to make a project as grand as any of his and inspire humanity as he does. Reaching for something more and not remain in a comfort zone is so crucial for the evolution of our species.

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

River : I'm a foreigner at heart! I never felt like I belonged anywhere, especially not in France, my home country. It's probably because of my Autism and its itinerant exclusion. Because of that, I've learned to feel at ease when excluded.I'm the most comfortable when I'm in the most alien context. I am driven by challenges as, I suppose, my whole life has been a continuity of them. That's why I enjoy always trying to create with a new medium, trying to pierce a new industry. My choice of moving to Japan is fueled by this idea, daily life can become quite challenging when you hardly speak the language, and I like to have to start over every time I move to a new country or city. I would hate for my life to be the boring continuation of the same variables since birth. I want to learn and experience as much as I can while I'm alive.

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

River : Quality and innovation are our main focuses. I ask for all my business partners to be committed to quality as much I am. Strangely enough (to me anyway) it is not easy to find people who share the same value of quality as I do, and it really always surprises me. I can never fathom how people are ok with not doing their best. We aim for the best, as anyone should.

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

River : I support the work of artists and craftsmen. I try to provide the knowledge I have accumulated to anyone reaching out to me for advice and help them with their projects. When you finally make it, it's primordial to give back and help in any way possible.

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

River : I had the opportunity to meet inspiring and strong creative women, with whom I'm still in touch with. And having a project recognized by peers is quite the positive experience! It's a morale boost for sure, and make me think I indeed did my best.

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