Interview with Eddie J DeJong

Eddie J DeJong ("EJD") interviewed on Monday, 19 March.

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

EJD : I have been a designer for around 20 years. I started in landscape design, and then moved to industrial designing components for playground equipment. My love of natural materials lead me to founding a high-end cigar humidor company by the name of Vanderburgh & Co Ltd. I worked for many notable brands including Hennessy, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Augusta Golf Course and many cigar companies.

How did you become a designer?

EJD : I have been a designer since a young boy, even designing my own 'variable automatic transmission' when I was 10 years old. It is in my DNA to find easy solutions to complex problems. I am very intrigued by automotive design, especially car interiors and I love the symphony that different natural materials make when coming together.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

EJD : I believe that good design and function come hand in hand. I believe in simple elegance, and minimalist design. My company motto is 'A synergy of art and function', and my ultimate goal is creating a desirable product that is not only artfully creative, but also contains function that makes people's lives easier.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

EJD : I find that design ideas sneak up on me when I least expect them. Usually its when I'm not in the office and when my mind is free from constraints. The initial concept is the most exciting for me. Then nearly as exciting is when I sit down and plan out the details of the idea building function into it.

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

EJD : I have always had a curiosity for how things work, and as a young child I found myself creating innovations - even potential products - out of things around me. When I was a boy I thought that a bar of soap and a washcloth was an unnecessary 2-product process. Unbeknownst to my mom, one summer day I took a bar of soap, wrapping it in a wash cloth and sold them as a one-piece cleaning product out at the road. This of course were all of my mom's supplies.

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

EJD : I love the concept of sustainability, and giving power to grow food into the hands of inexperienced, curious people. I love to create products that make the complicated simple. This is my goal with my company today, to have a game-changer product that helps people grow food for themselves.

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

EJD : Don't overcomplicate it. Often times I find the most beautiful designs are the most simple. In the beginning of my designing career I have often tried to add too many details, losing the soul of my original design.

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

EJD : As mentioned before, most of my inspiration comes when I am not in the office, therefore it is crucial for me to have time to explore and give my brain room to create.

What is your day to day look like?

EJD : Well I wish my day was spent more in conceptual design, but with a small design company I am involved in many of the little details on making a company move forward. I find that setting aside time throughout the week to work on concepts is always life-giving for me.

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

EJD : My company depends on product sales to be successful, so I do need to keep an eye on design trends in order to help influence future products to meet markets. I am very much influenced by other products that I see throughout my searching, research or travel.

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

EJD : To me a design is a good design if it stirs your emotions first. You know it when you see it. Then once the design captures your soul, unique features and surprising little elements that add value are just the icing on the cake.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

EJD : I think a designer needs to be humble enough to allow for changes, tweaks and modifications. I don't know if there's any design that is absolutely ready 100%. As much as I feel I am an expert, the further collaboration from customers reveals a lot of insight about how a good design can become even better.

What is your biggest design work?

EJD : I am currently working on a new product that will easily and quickly help people grow food for themselves.

Who is your favourite designer?

EJD : Jony Ivy. I love his simplistic approach to designing art and function together.

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

EJD : I love back-roads organic travel. I am a self taught musician with over 10 instruments. I am especially fond of using natural materials like wood, metal, leather.

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

EJD : One of my successful product idea has come from a gardening technique out of Rwanda Africa. In return for part of the idea I'm actively involved in reaching back out to the Rwandan community helping build sustainability in impoverished villages. Once a year we return with out team members through the Kageyo Gardens Project.

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

EJD : The benefits of winning the A'Design Award are recognition on a global stage. I am honored to be the Designer of the Day.

Eddie J DeJong Profile