We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Hootan Hamedani ("HH").
Hootan was born in 1972 in IRAN and started painting at the age of twelve, and Six years later, He found his way to the School of Architecture and graduated in Architecture in 1998. Hootan’s Inspiration in Art not only effected in every aspect of his life and design, but also lead him to distribute it by start teaching in university when he was 21. After 8 years, he was known as a “outstanding professor of Architecture” in Tehran. Hootan moved to United States in 2002 and continued his abilities in Design by establishing his firm “Hootan & Associates".
Hootan Hamedani Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Hootan Hamedani.
Designer Interview of Hootan Hamedani:
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?
HH : I was born in 1972 in IRAN and started my third grade when I was seven years old. My first passion in art started at the age of twelve, I experimented with oil on canvas and water-color and realized how limitless these techniques can be. From that time, I wanted to be an Architect. Six years later, I found My way to the School of Architecture and Urbanism at Shahid Beheshti University, also known as National University of Iran. I graduated in Masters Degree in Architecture in 1998. My Inspiration in Art not only effected in every aspect of my life and design, but also lead me to distribute it by start teaching in university at the age of 21 in Architecture field. After 8 years, I was known as a “outstanding professor of Architecture” in Tehran.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
HH : I moved to United States in 2002 and continued my abilities in Design by establishing my firm “Hootan & Associates". Hootan & Associates design studio is an award-winning design and research platform launched by Hootan Hamedani in 2006. Our design studio is dedicated to be a hub for creative designs and inventive projects. We aim to express, to convey, to translate ideas into drawings, and drawings of buildings. Our mission is to move from the realm of concepts to their application; and we are not afraid to test new methods and materials to meet our goal. Being deeply immersed in a design environment that emboldens change, our designs continuously involve both conceptual and practical innovations
DI: What is "design" for you?
HH : Design is aware manifestation which is inspired by present moment in silence.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
HH : Restaurant and Hospitality projects.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
HH : Bosscat Restaurant
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
HH : Glass, Concrete
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
HH : After meditation.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
HH : Excitement
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
HH : Excitement
DI: What makes a design successful?
HH : Being in present moment.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
HH : Respect and acceptance.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
HH : Future of design with timeless. it needs to float in time.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
HH : I connect myself more to the nature and outdoor. feeling the energy of universe, will inspire me to design.
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?
HH : I live in California. Only the specific energy which flow at the moment of design, will affect the design.
DI: How do you work with companies?
HH : Hootan & Associates, is my own company.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
HH : I, Sit, Silent for at least 10 minutes and then draw the first line.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
HH : Chandelier, window, fire place, lighting and clay work
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
HH : One present day.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
HH : Be present.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
HH : There is no negativity of being designer. All human being are designers.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
HH : Present Moment.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
HH : Being one empty space when they start designing.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
HH : One black Pencil.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
HH : I don't. I let it go.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
HH : from one month to 3 months.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
HH : Materials.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
HH : Restaurant
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
HH : More Restaurants.
DI: How can people contact you?
HH : Social media.