Interview with Martin Foret

Martin Foret ("MF") interviewed on Saturday, 17 March.

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

MF : I am quite short time between professionals designers becouse I am 28 years old but on the other hand I started work for design studios during my studies wich is 6 years ago. I worked even for studio where we designed heavy maschinery tools and maschines, I worked even in Skoda Auto in Motosport department and all these kinds of design have very interesting parts and I am glad that I could to get too much expierences from different enviroment of design and industry. But now I enjoy my own project and furniture design and complex living enviroment. Becouse the way how people is living is changig so design should reflect that.

How did you become a designer?

MF : I wanted to be graphic when I was child but then stated work more with 3D objects and models of cars, toys etc so I decided to go on art high school and then university where I study product design. In this time I knew that I want be really designer.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

MF : Maybe first step should be to say, that design is all of these parts ( technique, style, ergonomy, visual, materials, practicality etc). The most basic is functionality and steadiness. Then is egonomy and visual which should not be just for itself but it should works with environment around.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

MF : Its pleasure but in the same time even the responsibility. The hardest is to do things which looks absolutely simply. Becose design of each product is done, when nothing more is possible to remove, but its also the biggest challenge.

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

MF : Its good and important question. I think that sports are very important for to be successful in whatever people do. Sport helps to relax and clean your mind, thanks that you can to see your project from distance. Also sports learn you to go through the barriers and create yourshelf a motivation which is very important. Becouse not every time all things are going as you want. And last but not least sport helps to get focus on goals step by step. So for me and I think not only me, is important to do more things and develop your personality complexly in culure, social life, but even sports, travelling etc.

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

MF : I would love to have my own brand with products which I developed. I am very happy when I can to see people that they are happy from my products, its stunning satisfaction. I would like to create brand which will have a high credit and level in all aspects not only products but even in communication with clients, benefits, service and corporate culture.

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

MF : Patience. Nothing is immediately so focus on each step which you just do. And I think that is important to do long research not only product which already exists but even situations and environment. Because is very important to have a good founded basic theory.

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

MF : To be honesty and self-criticism. Becouse the market will not have mercy if your products will be bad.

What is your day to day look like?

MF : Its no so interesting, usually I try to do some sport or exercises and then to start with work. I like meeting and brainstorming becouse I can to get some overtures and another view how to see a topic which I design.

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

MF : Designer can not to ignore trends but trends are going so fast that if you will to try keep this speed, I will be one step behind so designer should focus on specific problem that you try to resolve. But depends on your philosophy and possibilities.

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

MF : For me is important to have distance. When I to do some sketch or prototype, then I need a few weeks just to observe it and to think about it. If it still good , then next step is to show it another people what they will say about it. If I will not find some issue even after a some time, then it could be ready to introduce it to all.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

MF : For me is important to have distance. When I to do some sketch or prototype, then I need a few weeks just to observe it and to think about it. If it still good , then next step is to show it another people what they will say about it. If I will not find some issue even after a some time, then it could be ready to introduce it to all.

What is your biggest design work?

MF : Its my own first product which I designed for myshelf. I did all steps from research, first prototype, drawings, to develop it till the end which means wrap it in box and sell it to clients on my eshop.

Who is your favourite designer?

MF : I like how to work the brothers Bouroullecs. Thery are really fantastic designers.

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

MF : All elements in our life influence us. Elements like environment where we live, people who are our friends, etc. I am happy that I can to live in really cultural city as Prague is.

Martin Foret Profile