We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Natacha Lesty ("NL").

Natacha Lesty is an industrial designer who focuses on innovative and environmentally friendly products. Always trying to find new needs and new challenges, she comes up with original creative ideas. She has a structured approach and surprises with a breeze of fresh and appealing designs that carry the "Wow" factor! Natacha looks at the broader perspective, which leads to well founded concepts. She is a conceptual designer that combined with her collaborative and analytical skills is good at bridging the conceptual phase with operational feasibility.

Natacha Lesty Designs

We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Natacha Lesty.

Designer Interview of Natacha Lesty:

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?

NL : I always wanted to be a designer, an inventor or an architect. I studied product design and business engineering. Why do I choose these double skills? I wanted to understand the logic of the market and apprehend needs and to know how to transform ideas into reality.

DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?

NL : Lesty design is the name of my design studio. I focus on innovative and environmentally friendly products. I always try to find new needs and new challenges to come up with original creative ideas.

DI: What is "design" for you?

NL : The only important thing about design is how it relates to people. I just love creation and innovation. It is my true passion. To me design is an art of observation.

DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?

NL : Product and packaging designs with sustainable challenges

DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?

NL : Dyson Air Multiplier. The Air Multiplier is a fan with an unusual characteristic: It doesn't have any visible blades. Minimalist and clever.

DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?

NL : Artificial reef in Marseille to attract sea-life and work to protect the future of a fragile ecosystem.

DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?

NL : My favorite tool is my pen

DI: When do you feel the most creative?

NL : In the sunny natural place with my sketch book.

DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?

NL : Simplicity and reducing materials

DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?

NL : Excitement of my brain

DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?

NL : I am always moved and feel satisfied

DI: What makes a design successful?

NL : If people appreciate the product as I hoped

DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?

NL : Sustainability and quality

DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?

NL : A designer has to focus on innovative and environmentally friendly products. We are designing the world of tomorrow. We have to be aware of the environmental challenges to try to solve them.

DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?

NL : The designer has more and more responsibilities. He is in the middle of two different product approaches: marketing and engineering. Designer is the source of new ideas.

DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?

NL : No big exhibition

DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?

NL : Everyday life is source of inspiration. I observe everything around me and convert it into new ideas or inspirations.

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?

NL : My design approach is mainly about problem solving. Aesthetics comes after in the development.”The shape follows the function” As soon as I have solved the problem, the shape comes in a natural way. Reduce complexity is important for me.

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?

NL : I am French but I am leaving in Denmark. This country inspired me a lot in my project as the bike is the main way of transport.

DI: How do you work with companies?

NL : I am collaborative and analytical. It is important for bridging the conceptual phase with operational feasibility of the company.

DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?

NL : The portfolio and the personal projects tell a lot about the personality of the designer. It is important to find one with the same value of the company.

DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?

NL : 01. Find opportunity and needs. 02. Analyse and find inspirations 03. Challenge and solve problems 04. Find potential developers and realize the product

DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?

NL : The bed, the lamp, the chair, the table, the dishes

DI: Can you describe a day in your life?

NL : Each day is different and gives new surprises. I tried to enjoy each of them. Find solutions for your design is one of them

DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?

NL : Trust yourself and fight for your dreams

DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?

NL : The positive thing is that you are never bored, the negative thing is that you are always busy

DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?

NL : The only important thing about design is how it relates to people and to our environement

DI: What skills are most important for a designer?

NL : Creativity and curiosity

DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?

NL : Books and internet as inspiration. Sketch book for the challenge phase. And 3D and 2D softwares in the development.

DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?

NL : I tried to find limits to have the time to refresh my mind mainly thanks to sport activities

DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?

NL : Depends on the project and the conditions

DI: What was your most important job experience?

NL : My job with the LEGO group is a big experience for me

DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?

NL : Challenging project with problem to solve

DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?

NL : Design by myself for my personal projects but open for suggestions and help

DI: How can people contact you?

NL : By mails through my website: www.natachalesty.com