We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Rozita Sophia Fogelman ("RSF").
Fogelman is a conceptual artist and eco-friendly designer originally from Tbilisi, Georgia USSR. Having relocated to Israel in 1975, she has been living and working in Berkeley, CA since 1998. With a diverse educational background encompassing dance, music, fine art, and design, Fogelman established a groundbreaking multi-disciplinary media art graduate program at California State University East Bay in 2011. Her exceptional contributions to the field have earned her the prestigious title of Research Scientist by the Israeli Academy of Sciences and Humanities in Jerusalem, Israel in 2016.
Rozita Sophia Fogelman Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Rozita Sophia Fogelman.
Rozita Sophia Fogelman Design - Roses and Kaleidoscope NFT Digital Art
Rozita Sophia Fogelman Design - Facebook Museum ASCII Digital Design Museum
Designer Interview of Rozita Sophia Fogelman:
DI: Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
RSF : B I O Rozita Fogelman is a Russian/American conceptual artist and eco-art activist. Born in 1964 in Tbilisi, Georgia, she immigrated with her family to Israel in 1975, and since 1998 she lives and works in Berkeley, California. She studied dance and music in Tbilisi, Georgia; graphic design and sculpture in Jaffa, Tel Aviv; Avni Institute of Art and Design, and in 2011, she pioneered a new multi-disciplinary media art graduate program at California State University East Bay with an emphasis on multimedia, communication, and contemporary studio practice arts. "Style of Fogelman's work is mainly abstract expressionist with emphasis on experimental use of unconventional tools and techniques. The work's primary focus is on energy, color, and surface." Grace Munakata A B O U T Conceptual, abstract-expressionist, colorist, minimalist, avant-garde, an anti-war environmental activist. I work with elements, language, and abstract; using contemporary and traditional media: drawing, painting, photography, and video-art installations. Dealing with abstract representational often triggered by language, and experimental use of multi-media, times study of a single hue or a minimal form of structure. Influenced by dance and jazz, shamanism and zen, dada and Art School of New York, the ancient Jewish Kabbalah, and Gutenberg's Movable-type, science and technology, I distinguish visual communication and sound as my first language out of five.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
RSF : TADs = Tech + Art- Design service.
DI: What is "design" for you?
RSF : Lifestyle Perfection Solutions Knowledge Craft of typography
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
RSF : I like challenges. So try it all
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
RSF : ............. Andy Warhol's graphic design work.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
RSF : Logo Identity Typography Advertising Books Packaging
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
RSF : I use Adobe Final Cut ASCII HTML Google Facebook Twitter Instagram Amazon Self-publishing online Creating fashion is an online gallery Selling my original artworks and designs online: saatchionline.com/rozitafogelman fineartamerica.com My publication on: Amazon Blurb issue Arthousecoop My online archives and collection at: linktr.ee/rozita_com twitter.com facebook linkedin instagram/www_rozita_com ASCII Facebook Museum
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
RSF : 360 days a year. Mostly at night time or really early in the mornings. When the moon is full. When I feel good. When I am in love. When I travel. When I meet people by chance. Sometimes, without any plan.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
RSF : All the aspects are equally are important to me when I design something. It should be perfect. All the elements. The composition. The colorous. I want to see something new. I want to be able to understand the object without reading any manuals. As a designer, my goal is to hypnotize you and to sell you a perfect new object. An object that will change your life vision.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
RSF : Wonderful!
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
RSF : Excellent!
DI: What makes a design successful?
RSF : A problem solver.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
RSF : The first glans. What is the focal point? The composition? That is right and what is wrong? What is the problem? What is the solution? Can I view it 360 degrees around? Are you telling me something new that may be interesting?
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
RSF : To tell a new story. To show a new object. To create a need for the new object. Establish a marketplace for 10-25 years from now. Will it be fresh and classic looking in 2050 or 2100? Like IBM? How green are you in your design? How eco-friendly are you to the local and global community? What are you giving back? Will you live your signature on this planet before you leave?
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
RSF : I don't know. A.I. will take it all over soon. We are all creating platforms, knowledge, and tools for A.I. to take over in the next ten years.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
RSF : SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS & UPCOMING SCHEDULE OF EXHIBITIONS 2022 - 40 x 40 A’Design Award Exhibition Istanbul, by A'Design Award Competition Como, Italy 2022- Xi An City - Xi'an Aerospace City Center, A' Design Award permanent exhibition, China 2021 - Shijiazhuang City - Hebei Design Museum & Innovation design center, A' Design Award, China 2021 - 40 x 40 Shenzhen Industrial Design Fair (SZIDF), A' Design Award, China 2021 The VERY WRONG Biennale PART 2 a Collective of International WRONG Artists 2021 The WRONG Biennale - International Digital Art Project 2021 - On My Walks, Lost & Found - CSUEB Annual Alumni Exhibition 2021 - 40 x 40 A’Design Award Exhibition Istanbul, by A'Design Award Competition Turkey at Usta Design 2021 A.I. & Loftier Reality - The Nexus of Tech + Art + Design = Art Web Gallery - Italy 2020 - Send Me Love & Nude Letters - WWW Gallery 2020 - ONDA MEDIALE Exhibition the 10th edition 2020 at the Art Web Gallery - Italy 2019 The Wrong Biennale - International Digital Art Project see more https://competition.adesignaward.com/designer.php?profile=283596
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
RSF : From everywhere, and anything. From my walks to my night or daydreams, my meditations, when I cook my food, when I clean my studio, when I meet new people, from the radio, and from many other online channels like Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Wiki,... and so much more.
DI: How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
RSF : Geometrical, minimalist abstract expressionist.
DI: Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
RSF : I was born in Tbilisi Georgia, at the time was part of Russia. Then I moved with my family to Jerusalem, and end up living in Tel-Aviv for the next 23 years. In 1998 I moved with my new family to Berkeley, California, and never left since then. Yes, It very important to have a rich background and as many languages as you can. However, it is also important to be stable and to learn in-depth. I am always ready to explore new adventures. Call me up!
DI: How do you work with companies?
RSF : With contracts only.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
RSF : A good designer should know everything about the companies he/she wish to work for. You have to know that it is going to be a perfect match for you and for the companies you want to work with. Be authentic, be ethical, be yourself in your best, to try to fool anyone. Know what is special about you, and how you can bring your specialty to work with others in harmony, fun, and a friendly environment.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
RSF : My design process is always evolving with new technology, new knowledge, and new skills.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
RSF : My bedroom. My working desktop. My computers. My bathtub. My garden.. And my
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
RSF : I get up, take a hot, and then a cold shower, make my juice, drive to the pool, swim 90 -120 mins. Then drive back home which is also my studio but before I stop and pick up some fresh food to cook for my lunch/dinner. When all is down, I get work on my computers, starting with emails, social media, and etc,... before I go to bed, I go out to take a 2-hour walk in the park near where I live.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
RSF : No fear to try new and original ideas And if you believe in your doing it right do not stop, keep going. Be eco-friendly. Always keep learning. Have a unique style.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
RSF : I love my work! I am a workaholic and when I start It is very hard for me to stop because I am so focused on what I am doing. Sometimes I had to work 24 hours and even more. But this is all part of the trill of knowing that your mission was successfully accomplished.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
RSF : It should work in Black and White and is 360 degree. later come colours.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
RSF : So many, non stop learning, knowing 'everything' and if you get stock, Google it. In real life, It is important to learn how to be flexible when working with others. Do sports, eat healthy, learn how to deep dive in many subjects at the same time. Be like a sea and have a knowledge of an ocean. Always make a 3D or 360 model. Never give up. Never say sorry. Feel what you feel. Take your time to think. Sleep on it. Swim in it. Reasoning it. Listening to it. Know how to justify it. Feel safe about your feeling it. Always ask yourself again, really? why? No. Is not a good reason to stop. Always try to better. Otherwise no point. Create something new before others.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
RSF : I am an Adobe user since 1990. I paint with acrylic of canvas. I create sculptures from found object. I photograph with my little Canon Power Shoot. I use Final Cut. I like to improvise, and even using HTML code can be my tool. I create art and designs using ASCII only on HTML walls in real-time online. My backups, my macs, my memory cards,.... etc. I am a digital artist and eco-artist - meaning I have ZERO merchandise and all you can buy is in number of online galleries, on amazon my books are printed on demand. I still have some paper, pencils and pens.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
RSF : Well,... I am being super productive with my time, and what first needs my attention needs to be addressed first. I take time daily for my physical body and mental body before I get to my design work. Indeed, designing often is a very time consuming work, and therefore, I try to manage everything before my mind is 100% clear about my design task. Often, I have to pool myself, and go to swim, to take a walk, or go to sleep, so when I come to do my design work I feel fresh, and mind free.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
RSF : Some object can be designed in 10min or less. Others can take years or longer. It is really all about the momentum, knowledge of the subject, knowledge of the problem and having the correct solution. After all asking "design an object" is an abstract question. Some objets also only have beginning but never end.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
RSF : That is a good question. I need to think about it.
DI: What was your most important job experience?
RSF : Creating a weekly newspaper all by hand, back in Tel-Aviv in 1990 which was done all by hand before we got the very first Macintosh computers. Also working in the dark room in 1990, doing colour separation, going down to the printer at 3am and trouble shutting often till 5-6am. ... and so much more. Creating a logo for the career department at California State University East Bay in 2009. Working, teaching and exhibiting works of elderly and disabled artists in the Expression Gallery from 2011-2015 in Berkeley, California. It was a great working experience as an Art Director managing the artworks of 80+ artist for every art show. Working in Advertising agencies as an Art Director and managing art studies and often working 24 hours before presentations to win the yearly advertising budget. It was a great adrenaline rush!
DI: Who are some of your clients?
RSF : World wide.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
RSF : I love working on large brands, starting from A point which is the logo to Z point of 100% perfect product, or working solution to a new innovate problem.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
RSF : Keep working every day, I do not know what future holds for me. I am open to see and try it all.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
RSF : Yes, I love working with teams, however, 99% of my work comes from working in solitude.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
RSF : Yes. I always have number of series work in progress. "Too much to do, too little time."
DI: How can people contact you?
RSF : Email: rozita.fogelman@gmail.com