Interview with Theresa Lambrecht

Theresa Lambrecht ("TL") interviewed on Monday, 19 March.

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

TL : I started to learn my handcraft at the "Meisterklasse" in the "Meisterschule" Graz (Austria) in the subjects painting and photography. Afterwards I got educated in digital media designer by latif.oberholz Berlin. I worked as a photographer assistant for Mat Hennek and Felix Broede in Berlin. I finished my education with a master study as a Designer at the HTW Berlin. I worked for communication ans advertising agencies (Scholz & Friends, Y&R, select NY, ..). As a Art Director a took care of big companies and prominent clients like Mercedes-Benz, Loewe, Villeroy and Boch, Diesel, KaDeWe group and many more. Afterwards I started to work for my own. This means smaller customers, but more freedom to follow my spirit.

How did you become a designer?

TL : Since I was a little a girl I dreamed to become a Designer or a Artist. In this young years I didn't recognize the difference between both and if you ask me today the border is in my mind even quite close. In all my jobs I did this what people often called design. But most of the projects where decided by customer or budget restriction. That's felt not free to me and that's why I didn't recognize my job as a really Designer, it was more than a "creative robot". This changed afterwards I startet my own business. Because this was the time I can choose my clients, my brands and my projects by my self. I found this clients which trusted me to design there brands and products in "my style". It was a great feeling and, which is maybe more important, it was successfully.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

TL : My way for a good design is to see, to feel and than to transform. That's the best way to convert emotions and passions from outside into the products. For this I'm using different techniques. For sure my priority is the digital way. But honestly this is just the way of the output. First of all I walk around and looking for inspiration. Afterwards I try to connect my thought, moods or pictures. And than I'm starting to compose something new.

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

TL : Curiosity and exploration are this skills which make me go ahead. If you own this you will always find new ideas, new impacts and new people who inspire you.

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

TL : I'm always looking for new clients whose want to go new ways, climb new steps and are open minded to conquer the world.

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

TL : First of all learn a handcraft! And alway keep curious.

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

TL : Go your own way and belief on your self. Look around.

What is your day to day look like?

TL : First of all have a big cup freshly made coffee. i guess that's nothing special for me or the design industry. ;-) Afterwards starting with the immediately communication tasks. Talking to clients as well as with suppliers. Coordinate my design team and do some sales tasks. Normally I "come down" in the afternoon. That's the time to become creative.

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

TL : I live in Berlin. That's a creative melting pot. Visiting open house events and the big creative community are part of my daily business. That's why I'm very close to the latest trends flows.

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

TL : That's quite difficult to answer for me. Even design is a very individual thing. For sure, if you design something for the sale process, you can measure the increase of your sales or other commercial targets. But in the history you have some samples for great design and less sales as well. To win an design award is very meaningful for me, to get a professional feedback of my design success.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

TL : Design is never "ready". The benchmark for design is always in the view of the moment. If you think your are ready, sleep 1 or 2 nights and than you will always find some pints for modification. I means that's why especially corporate designs or brand logos or sings always are being modify gently.

What is your biggest design work?

TL : I designed a whole range of silk scarves for the label Pattern of Earth. For me that's more than just design. It's more like wearable art. This was a absolutely fantastic job.

Who is your favourite designer?

TL : I absolutely love the work from Dieter Rams. He is an German industrial designer and started to design things like Apple. But he did it 40 years before!!! That's really amazing.

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

TL : Well, I think my lifestyle isn't that special or has any special design attitude. I love to travel, I love to meet my friends and other people, I love to go to the museum, and for sure I also love my freshly made morning coffee. All this things are going hand in hand with design, because everything is designed. Al what you see in an urban hood is designed: machines, advertisement, clothes, sings, products, buildings, public transport... And if you go to the parks and woods you can find the design of the nature. For me it is also designed in the perfect way of form follows function.

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

TL : Be always fair to your partners, clients, suppliers an employees. Life it's like a boomerang.

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

TL : I think to give something back to society is very important not even for designers. It's important for every human. And if you are successful, you are successful also because your society give you a chance and possibility to do what you want to do. Nowadays this is for most of the people on earth a luxury thing and not a matter of course!

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

TL : First of all it's absolutely fantastic if you get the information, that you are one of the winer in your category. It's a great platform and possibility for designers all over the world to show current work. It's also a great chance to become more famous, find new partner or clients. I would like to take the chance to say thanks to the whole team of A`Design Award!

Theresa Lambrecht Profile