We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Nadav Rikover ("NR").
Nadav is a UX design specialist and a product design consultant with over 16 years of experience in various creative fields. Nadav is the owner of Rikover Interactive and has a B.Des in visual communication design from Shenkar college of design (graduated with honor). He's also a Google UX expert, mentoring startups at the prestigious Google Launchpad Tel Aviv, a certified Google Design Sprint Master, and a lecturer. Nadav's specialty is in creating a complete experience for interactive products, user experience design and visual strategy for user interfaces. He's working with various international corporates and start-ups while putting an emphasis on friendly and innovative human-centered process.
Nadav Rikover Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Nadav Rikover.
Designer Interview of Nadav Rikover:
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?
NR : I started designing for the web as a teenager in the 1990s, driven by a curiosity about technology and how it could be used creatively. This early fascination with design led me to formally study it. I earned a Bachelor of Design degree, and during my time at the academy, I worked in the industry, gaining hands-on experience. I didn’t always know I’d become a designer, but the journey was a natural progression from my passion for problem-solving and creating engaging user experiences.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
NR : My company, Rikover & Co, focuses on creating meaningful digital experiences. We collaborate with startups and established companies, bringing expertise in UX, design, and product strategy. It’s all about aligning business goals with user needs to create something exceptional.
DI: What is "design" for you?
NR : Design is the perfect blend of empathy, creativity, and functionality. It’s about understanding people’s needs and solving problems in a seamless and delightful way.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
NR : I enjoy working on complex systems that challenge me to simplify and enhance user experiences. Whether it’s a startup platform or a sports team’s digital presence, it’s the impact on the end user that excites me.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
NR : One of my favorite projects is the app and website for Hapoel Petah Tikva. It’s a blend of my personal passion for this football club since I was a teenager and design, and it allowed me to bring their digital presence to life, connecting fans with their team in an intuitive way.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
NR : The first design I created professionally was a website for a small business. It was a simple project, but it taught me the value of understanding the client’s vision and the importance of clear communication.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
NR : Any interactive products
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
NR : I feel most creative in the early mornings or after engaging in conversations. Brainstorming with others often sparks ideas I wouldn’t have thought of alone, especially after I ask clients the right questions, and gather insights.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
NR : I focus on usability and emotional resonance. If a design doesn’t feel intuitive or doesn’t connect with the user, it’s not fulfilling its purpose.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
NR : Designing feels like solving a puzzle. It’s a mix of excitement, curiosity, and sometimes frustration, but it’s incredibly rewarding to see everything come together.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
NR : It’s incredibly satisfying. Seeing people interact with something you’ve created and watching it improve their experience is the ultimate reward.
DI: What makes a design successful?
NR : A successful design solves a problem, feels intuitive, and resonates with its audience. If users barely notice the design because it just works, that’s a success.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
NR : I look at clarity, usability, and how well it meets the user’s needs. A good design communicates its purpose without unnecessary complexity.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
NR : Designers have a responsibility to create solutions that are inclusive, sustainable, and ethical. Every choice we make impacts people and the planet.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
NR : The field is moving towards personalization and AI-driven experiences. The challenge will be to balance innovation with maintaining human-centered design principles.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
NR : I don’t typically hold exhibitions; my work lives in digital spaces. However, I’m open to showcasing projects in the future if there’s an opportunity to share the process behind the work.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
NR : I draw inspiration from the world around me—nature, technology, people, and experiences. I find that staying curious and observing how things work in the real world helps spark creativity. I also feed my creativity by collaborating with others, reading, exploring new tools, and staying in tune with design trends and innovations.
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?
NR : My design style is minimalist, focused on clarity and user-centric experiences. Over time, I’ve gravitated toward simplicity and functional design because I believe less is more, and the user should always be the center of attention. My approach is always about solving problems in intuitive and engaging ways.
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?
NR : I live in Israel, and yes, the cultural heritage here absolutely influences my design approach. There’s a strong sense of community, history, and innovation that shapes the way I think about design. The pros are the constant inspiration from diverse cultures and the emphasis on creative problem-solving. The challenge, however, can be balancing traditional values with the need for modern, globalized design trends.
DI: How do you work with companies?
NR : I collaborate closely with companies to understand their needs and vision. My approach is hands-on, ensuring that we’re aligned on the strategy, the user experience, and the final product. I believe in clear communication and iterative design to refine the work along the way.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
NR : My advice would be to look for a designer who not only has technical skills but also understands the business and user context. A good designer should be a problem-solver, willing to collaborate, and open to feedback. The best designers are those who can balance creativity with practicality and empathy.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
NR : My process starts with research and understanding the user. I then move on to wireframes and prototyping, refining the design based on feedback and testing. Finally, I focus on the details—polishing the UI and ensuring the experience is seamless and intuitive.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
NR : I enjoy having objects that are both functional and beautifully designed—such as my white living room lamp, minimalist dining chairs, pop art posters, my electric smart table, and my favorite coffee cup. Each piece serves a purpose and adds to the ambiance of my workspace.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
NR : My day usually starts with a cup of coffee and reviewing design projects. I spend a lot of time in meetings with designers and clients, brainstorming, and iterating on designs. I balance that with personal time for creativity, usually through spending time with my family or collaborating with my team.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
NR : My advice would be to stay curious and never stop learning. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes because they’re the best opportunities to grow. Build a portfolio that showcases your problem-solving skills, and always keep the user at the heart of your creations.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
NR : The positives are the opportunity to impact people’s lives, solve interesting problems, and continuously learn. The negatives can be the pressure of meeting client expectations and the challenge of staying ahead in an ever-evolving field.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
NR : My golden rule is: Keep it simple, keep it clear, and always keep the user in mind. If your design isn’t intuitive and doesn’t meet the needs of the people using it, it’s not doing its job.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
NR : Apart from technical skills, empathy is key. Understanding users' needs, behaviors, and emotions allows you to design better experiences. Communication and collaboration are also essential, as design is rarely a solo endeavor.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
NR : I rely heavily on Figma. I also use tools like Slack, Toggl, and Trello for project management and Fig Jam and Google Docs for brainstorming sessions. My inspirations can be anywhere on the internet, apps, or in a physical environment - depending on the project.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
NR : Time management is all about prioritization. I break projects into smaller tasks, set deadlines, and stay focused. I also make sure to take breaks and recharge when needed, as a fresh mind leads to better design.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
NR : The time it takes can vary depending on the complexity of the project. For smaller tasks, it might take a few days, but for larger, more intricate designs, it can take weeks or even months. It’s a process of iteration and refinement.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
NR : One of the most frequently asked questions is, "How do you come up with your ideas?" I usually explain that creativity is a mix of research, experience, and collaboration.
DI: What was your most important job experience?
NR : One of my most important experiences was working on the website for the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics. This project was a significant challenge, as it required creating a platform that would present complex statistical data in an accessible and user-friendly way for the public. It taught me a lot about balancing design with functionality and accessibility, ensuring that information was both accurate and easy to navigate for a wide range of users.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
NR : I’ve worked with various startups, such as Innoviz, Iguazio, and Rail Vision, as well as larger organizations like Google, Stanley Black & Decker, and Siemens.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
NR : I love working on UX/UI design for products that impact people’s everyday lives. There’s something incredibly rewarding about solving problems and making complex systems simple to navigate.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
NR : I’m focused on continuing to collaborate with innovative companies and exploring new opportunities to teach and mentor young designers. I also want to explore more sustainability-focused design projects.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
NR : I work with a team of talented professionals, as collaboration often leads to the best results. While I lead design projects, I value input from others to ensure we create well-rounded, effective solutions.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
NR : I’m currently working on a few exciting projects, including a collaboration platform for lawyers and an AI-driven investment platform in the real estate industry. Each has its unique challenges, and I’m excited to see how they evolve.
DI: How can people contact you?
NR : People can contact me via my website www.rikover.com email, or LinkedIn. I’m always open to conversations about design, collaboration, and new opportunities.
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
NR : I’d like to emphasize how important it is to stay true to the values that drive you as a designer—whether that’s empathy, creativity, or a passion for problem-solving. Design is about more than just aesthetics; it’s about making a positive impact.