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

Miroslav Stibůrek is a Czech industrial designer based in Barcelona. If you were to describe his true nature, it’s that of the Renaissance man. A student of unquenchable curiosity with a feverishly inventive imagination. His thrive for knowledge, the exploration of all his abilities and boundless childlike creation is what makes him a man on a journey.

Miroslav Stiburek Designs

We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Miroslav Stiburek.

Designer Interview of Miroslav Stiburek:

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?

MS : I never actually knew. All I always did was follow my feelings wherever it leads unless it's a place I don't want to go. I'm a self-learner and self-made designer, so I have always tried to figure it out on my own and learn from other people. I discovered all my passion and abilities by trying and experimenting in various fields, until I found my love in art and design, where I realised that my fast learning, visual ability, logic and persistence pays off. My biggest influence is Antoni Gaudi, Mossimo Giannulli, Bob Marley, Yves Saint Laurent and Galileo Galilei.

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

MS : My studio is called Miroslavo located at miroslavo.com, which I set up quite recently. The name is derived from my first name, and plays with it a little, in fact, it's a Spanish adaptation of my first name. I use Miroslavo as my professional name. The focus is on design, art, photography and engineering.

DI: What is "design" for you?

MS : Doing what I love and a tool to share the love and happiness I experience while being open to the world.

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

MS : No preference. I love creating whatever form it takes. Anything that appears in my mind and sounds like a good thing to pursue. I learn by failing, and failure is a gift that I have learnt to love receiving.

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

MS : Antoni Gaudí's main hall in La Sagrada Família. Spending an hour inside to appreciate the art that he created brings me immense joy and peace. Not only is the design and artwork incredible, but feeling the love that Gaudí has put into creating it, as well as the love of the builders and others who followed helped me quickly realise that his work is brilliant. All doing it for their belief in a higher purpose and love for something that goes beyond the consumer and material world. Gaudí is my favourite designer, and it's due to his love for his craft and his desire to give something to the society, so for centuries people can find peace and love through his work.

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

MS : A Website.

DI: When do you feel the most creative?

MS : After few days of intense introspection.

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

MS : Love, Anxiety, Fear, Joy, Surprise, Courage, Respect and Openness.

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

MS : Joy, self-acceptance, modesty, humility, love and peace.

DI: What makes a design successful?

MS : When it sells.

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

MS : I base my judgement based on my intuition and feelings that it evokes in me.

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

MS : Ethics, accepting society and believing in people that they will figure it out, and not trying to imprint and force opinions onto them. Offer what a designer can offer, show it to as much people possible and see if people would like to be a part of it.

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

MS : Designers will focus more on considering emotion.

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

MS : Philosophy, sociology and pursuit of happiness. Also, I find inspiration in personalities and energies like Ray Charles, Mozart, Bob Marley, Yves Saint Laurent, and Antoni Gaudí.

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?

MS : I design by following my intuition and drive, so whatever design appears in my head, I realise it and usually it's something that is pure and simple, yet inventive in nature.

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?

MS : I now live in Barcelona, where I have plenty of opportunities to pursue what I love. I still keep close ties to my country though, where design is currently on the rise.

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

MS : Be open, listen and then trust your guts. When you feel good, it probably is good.

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

MS : I usually submit to complete openness and let things happen naturally.

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

MS : Markes, paper, my iMac, my philosophy and my brain :-).

DI: Can you describe a day in your life?

MS : I let things happen naturally, when I want to work I work, when I want to nap, I nap, if I don't want to eat, I don't eat, if I just want to spend a day watching movies, I watch movies, if I want to dance, I get up and dance. But if I was to describe some routine in my day, I'm at my studio and working, listening to Ray Charles or Mozart while having movies playing in the background. This is almost a daily routine and it helps me get in the zone.

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

MS : Well hard to say, I'm one of them, even though my grey hair doesn't speak for it, but if I was to say anything, I would share one of my quotes: "The happier you are, the better choices you make.".

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

MS : + Getting to touch people's lives - It can be painful at times

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

MS : Have full confidence in your intuition.

DI: What skills are most important for a designer?

MS : Having confidence in one's intuition, and surrounding oneself with positivity and all kinds of love.

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

MS : A cup of earl grey. Three copic marker and paper. Computer Software. My iMac with good internet connection. The complete works of Gaudí and movies such as Yves Saint Laurant, Ray or Amadeus. Music - Mozart, Ray Charles, Elvis Presley, Bob Marley. Enough of things things need to be going on in my space.

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

MS : I have yet to figure it out completely.

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

MS : Where do you get the inspiration from?

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

MS : I don't have a favourite, I love designing whatever form it takes.

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

MS : Achieving complete openness.

DI: How can people contact you?

MS : My email: hola@miroslavo.com In: Linkedin.com/in/miroslavstiburek