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

Born on September 13, 1980, in Iran, Mohammad Mahdi Fakhimi got a Master’s degree in Architectural Engineering from Azad University in 2006. He won several international award in design and architecture.

Mahdi Fakhimi Designs

We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Mahdi Fakhimi.

Designer Interview of Mahdi Fakhimi:

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?

MF : In the past, I had no idea about the profession I would pursue in the future. I remember though I had instinctive skills in design and creative mind as well, both of which helped me become an architect at time being.

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

MF : In 2002 when I was a student I established my studio and named it Idea Pardazan Akad. through out activities in the studio, we follow 3 design fields: 1-Architecture 2-Decoration 3-Advertisement

DI: What is "design" for you?

MF : design is all original tool by which I express my innovation.

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

MF : As I previously mentioned in question number 2, the studio currently works in the three fields of Architecture, Decoration and Advertisement but I wish further expand the scope of activities to all fields of design.

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

MF : The fact is my best design which I have worked on for many years, has not accomplished yet. I attempt to finish it though and as soon as possible.

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

MF : as my first project, I designed all entrance element for the university I studied at. In fact it was a competition in which I won.

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

MF : I am interested in fusion approach in design that creates a composition of the old and novel methods. this approach is applied not only technique-wise but also regarding the form and material.

DI: When do you feel the most creative?

MF : Almost at bed time.

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

MF : I act upon a famous motto ‘ beauty stands within the function’.

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

MF : I feel excited.

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

MF : It is pretty strange, but I feel like a mother,giving birth to her baby, undergoing both join and pain.

DI: What makes a design successful?

MF : A good client.

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

MF : To have beauty inside the function.

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

MF : In my opinion an architect affects on environment much more than the other jobs, as he make the environment in shape of his idea and purposes.

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

MF : Technology can help design in future and could harm it as the same.

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

MF : A’Design exhibition,2015-2016

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

MF : My inspiration originates from the large amount of books that I have read and also I inspired by environment.

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?

MF : My designing approach has based on fusion architecture which join past to current form, context, technique, materials and etc.

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?

MF : I live in Iran, certainly cultural heritage has a huge effect on my schemes in order that my design approach base on incorporation design.

DI: How do you work with companies?

MF : I usually work contractual.

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

MF : I suggest companies to review designers portfolio and records and definitely evaluate designer capability.

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

MF : First: research, second: create idea, third: developing idea and finally ultimate design

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

MF : Lighting, ceiling, partitions

DI: Can you describe a day in your life?

MF : I usually accomplish administrative part of project in morning and attend in office all afternoons.

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

MF : Try to be best in any field and level.

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

MF : You should be a lover at first otherwise you can not stand the pressure, except you want to be a businessman not a designer!

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

MF : Focus on details, care about context and design functional as much as design well.

DI: What skills are most important for a designer?

MF : right thinking skill

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

MF : My first tool is my imagination, then I use 3D soft-wares to comprehensive spaces.

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

MF : when I design I do not consider time.

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

MF : just design process last longs about 3 months.

DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?

MF : The design price.

DI: What was your most important job experience?

MF : where there is a wish there is a way.

DI: Who are some of your clients?

MF : mostly private companies and normal people who care their working and living atmosphere.

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

MF : Interior design, because it includes more aspects in comparison with the other types, and I enjoy it more.

DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?

MF : To finish my book that it is named 'fusion design theory' and work on a project with this subject.

DI: How can people contact you?

MF : they can contact me through my website and social networks.