Interview with Mohamad Montazeri

Mohamad Montazeri ("MM") interviewed on Wednesday, 2 December.

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

MM : I studied industrial design at university. Before that, I worked in various artistic fields such as painting and music. The result of these experiences and my artistic activities in painting and music are several solo exhibitions of paintings and several albums of non-verbal music by me. I have always been interested in design and I wanted to learn it academically to choose it as my career. That's why I chose industrial design to study at university. I am very interested in design and it has made my life more enjoyable.

How did you become a designer?

MM : My childhood interest in art, on the one hand, and my passion for inventions and discoveries, on the other, fascinated me with design. I chose design with awareness and interest, and during my studies and work in this field, my activities and experiences in design expanded day by day, and now a large part of my life is spent on design.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

MM : In all the designs I have done, I have gained a lot of experience from different techniques, tools and styles, but I have never preferred one technique over another and I believe that all techniques and tools, if used in the right place, lead to the best results.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

MM : The design process is always fraught with challenges, and sometimes these challenges are enjoyable and sometimes they can be very difficult and tedious. For me, who is interested in design, all these difficulties are enjoyable and even double my energy to solve that challenge with more power and finally see the best result in my design. In addition, I believe that design means creating. I love creation. It is a great pleasure to create. All these feelings make me enjoy every moment of the design process and finish the project with the best result.

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

MM : Certainly many of my personal behaviors, habits, and interests have influenced my career. For example, extensive study in various fields. Also, I am very interested in collecting and collecting them carefully, observing them as well as my Interest in various sciences such as psychology, sociology and economics are parts of my identity that have definitely influenced my career as a designer.

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

MM : Gaining various experiences at work, upgrading my knowledge and skills to reach an influential position in the world of design.

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

MM : The first and most important point was interest. Know the design and understand it heartfully, then you will love it and consider it a part of yourself. Only then can you succeed. In this path, you need a lot of perseverance, study and knowledge and gaining various experiences.

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

MM : Everyone can be one of the most successful in their field in whatever they do. It is enough to love it, to be careful and diligent, and most importantly to adhere to professional ethics and principles.

What is your day to day look like?

MM : Among my various daily tasks, I generally do some tasks every day. Things like studying and following the news and current sciences of the world. Because I believe the most important part in design is the up-to-date designer's knowledge. In addition, I sometimes pursue other hobbies. Things like taking care of my Bonsais, composing and recording songs from my music albums, etc.

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

MM : I believe that every designer should find his own style and method. But this does not mean that he is unaware of the trend of the day. He can take the initiative and design consciously by studying every day and keeping himself up to date, which I design accordingly.

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

MM : A good design has many factors and has had many definitions throughout history. But I personally see it at the height of the coordination between pure beauty and function. Each product can be an example of good design if it is consciously and effortlessly designed and does not deviate from its mission.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

MM : Design is a conscious process. So any activity that happens must be conscious and planned. During a project, I constantly refer to the pack list and plans made for that project and check each process of the design. What is important is that each step of the plan is completed qualitatively. The outcome of these plans and the quality of the product at the end of the project will show us whether the design project is over or not.

What is your biggest design work?

MM : I cannot mention a specific design and product. Because I love them all equally in their own place.

Who is your favourite designer?

MM : I know many designers and I love their work, but I cannot prefer any of them to another. A better understanding of each of them has helped me to use their experiences and try out the secrets to their success and think more professionally.

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

MM : Studying is the most important part of my daily life. In addition to design, which is my professional job, I also have hobbies that sometimes take me to their world, sometimes they are as meditation for me, and sometimes lead me to creativity. Composing is one of them. Sometimes when I need mental rest, I write a song or record a song. I always try to support younger and novice designers and give them tips and advice to improve and help them if needed. All of these things, both directly and indirectly, affect my design and my environment.

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

MM : My work philosophy is teamwork. Work with high discipline and accuracy. Every moment of work should be accompanied by ethics, attention to nature and environment and maintaining balance in any field.

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

MM : We are all, in turn, indebted to the society in which we grew up and live. We all owe the land and the environment. All of us, in turn, must dedicate our religions to society and nature. In addition to creating culture, observing ethical and professional principles of work, respecting nature and observing nature conservation standards, I personally teach my design lessons to younger designers and share my experiences with them and I love it.

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

MM : The challenge is always attractive to me. I created products that competed with the designs of other designers around the world and were able to be selected and won. This experience is very enjoyable for me.

Mohamad Montazeri Profile