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

Jon is applying his industry expertise to social change by developing sustainable products that inspire actions which support a healthy environment. Through industrial design and the supply of 'products as a service' Jon is aiming to enhance the current approach to recycling by both increasing and improving the practice. The 'Why' behind this is people - by preserving a healthy environment in which to live and grow we can help to give everyone a fair chance in life.

Jon Walker Designs

We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Jon Walker.

Designer Interview of Jon Walker:

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?

JW : I'm not a trained designer but have always designed - making pots from the clay in our garden, tables from the wood in the garage... I wanted to be an architect originally.

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

JW : dwiss is a young company concerned with designing products and services that help people behave sustainably. We collaborate with academics, students, designers and makers from across Europe.

DI: What is "design" for you?

JW : Working out how to compete a task with simplicity and style.

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

JW : Practical objects that make the task in hand easy.

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

JW : I like Mies van der Rohe's Barcelona chair - proportionally elegant, durable, simple and functional.

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

JW : The dwiss is our first offering.

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

JW : Wood is my favourite. I'm enjoying the possibility of 3D printing.

DI: When do you feel the most creative?

JW : Whilst taking an early morning run.

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

JW : Human interaction and component interfaces.

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

JW : Focus, clarity, satisfaction.

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

JW : Satisfaction, joy, pride.

DI: What makes a design successful?

JW : Functionality that gives rise to elegant form.

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

JW : How well it achieves its purpose.

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

JW : Design in a way that supports the circular economy - the conservative use of sustainable materials to develop durable products that can be easily repaired.

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

JW : The value of design is being ever more realised. Design will move to a more central position in human evolution.

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

JW : September 2016 at Tent, which is part of London Design Fair. We're hoping to exhibit at Stockholm's Furniture and Light Fair in 2018.

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

JW : People and world around us. I like using public transport and walking round public spaces to see people and how the interact with the world around them.

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?

JW : Simple, sustainable and elegant. I'm a minimalist and so this style works 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?

JW : I live in Sheffield, UK. We have a strong history of making, starting with steel and cutlery. I think that the durability of this material and product is captured in my designs.

DI: How do you work with companies?

JW : In a real collaborative win/win way.

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

JW : Listen to their ideas and give them space. I think selectin is gut feel, so extended conversations work best when selecting a designer.

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

JW : It's very much based around the 'design-thinking' approach. My designs are about the user, providing them with a solution. So rapid prototyping and feedback are key.

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

JW : An old Singer sewing machine - beautiful engineering. A pan set that we got as a wedding present - simple and durable. A Wedgewood vase that we inherited for some flamboyance. A cutlery set that we also inherited - dripping with Sheffield heritage. My Orange mountain bike - fun!

DI: Can you describe a day in your life?

JW : Rise as early as I can, meditate and shower. Get the kids up and off to school. Come home and design. Lunch and then make calls / have meetings. Then get the kids to bed and grab dinner with my wife.

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

JW : Talk to as many people as possible to understand an issue from multiple perspectives - you never fully understand anything so react more than you plan.

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

JW : Positives are freedom of expression, creativity, craftsmanship. Negatives include uncertainty, doubt...

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

JW : Never consider anything as finished yet know when to walk away.

DI: What skills are most important for a designer?

JW : Communication, vision, ability to suspend judgement.

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

JW : I tend to sketch in a book and knock up prototypes. I work with the people that are skilled in the use of software to create the digital models.

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

JW : I don't try and manage it too much but I do apply the principle that sometimes done is better than perfect and move on.

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

JW : It can be hours or it can be years. The dwiss has been over 10 years in the making but I designed a desk in a few hours.

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

JW : How did you come up with the idea?

DI: What was your most important job experience?

JW : It was actually writing a quality procedure - it talk me how to capture expertise.

DI: Who are some of your clients?

JW : In the interest of their privacy I'd rather not say.

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

JW : The concept stage right at the beginning, when an idea flickers into your mind.

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

JW : Developing a low cost version of the dwiss made from surplus material that we can supply as a 'product as a service'.

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

JW : As a team.

DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?

JW : I've a desk that I'm working on. The idea is that it can be shipped flat pack to anywhere in the world and built using something as a basic as a rock.

DI: How can people contact you?

JW : jon@yourdwiss.com

DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?

JW : Anyone can design, just think of something that you need help with.