We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Joana Júdice ("JJ").
Me? I am a perfect regular human being like all the other billions that cover our earth ground. Why Am I different? I don't know if I am because there is more humans in this world that I don't know comparing to the ones I do. But I do care about people. I do care about who is around me. I do care about trying to be good, to change a little bit what's around me everyday. I know I give my best to every little detail of my job. I know I work hard and I have billions of ideas in each second I breath. So... that's me! Trying my best to be better in a different way. Every day.
Joana Júdice Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Joana Júdice.
Designer Interview of Joana Júdice:
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?
JJ : Well my background is a mix of a lot of things and I think that's exactly what caracterizes me the most. I think of myself as a Creative which has a lot of ideas and likes to execute them in a beautiful way. I have na undergraduation in communications with a major in Audiovisual & Multimedia. Besides that I have always loved design, photography and vídeo and that's why I keep on learning about webdesign, ux foundations and so many other fields related. Some of that knowledge was achieved by certificate and some of it by myself and with the experience & learning from people who have worked with me. We could all live without design, poetry, cinema and art in general but we wouldn't live so happily and with the passion we do when we are surrounded by art and beautiful things. I love the meaning behind each object, business, act, clothes, products... so I have always wanted to be part of the team who gives the meaning to each little thing that happens in the world. And those people are the creatives, the publicists, the designers... Design is about how to tell a story and how do you choose to make people live that story with you.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
JJ : We are a Technology Services Consulting company. We want to deserve the natural preference of the CLIENTS, being a reference for the EXCELLENCE of the Services we provide, through the quality of our CONSULTANTS.
DI: What is "design" for you?
JJ : Design is an open window in a world of closed doors.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
JJ : A flyer and a banner
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
JJ : book/ magazine
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
JJ : near nature and art
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
JJ : the details
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
JJ : I feel calm and happy and I disconnect from the world in that single moment to be focus in each detail so that feels very very good
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
JJ : First I feel proud for what I finished then I feel a little sad because the journey is over. After that I realize there's still more to come and improve and I start thinking about the project again.
DI: What makes a design successful?
JJ : Evaluation and testing
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
JJ : The quality of the Image, balance between color choices and forms, balance in the arrangement of each element and of all of them together, the
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
JJ : As a designer you have the opportunity to make people feel, think and believe in things. That is a very important rule in society and for the environment. The ability to make you take action and to wake you up for the needs around you. It is also the designer responsibility to think about everyone and every situation and to make accessible the information to everyone.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
JJ : In the interaction with the user in a way that even the user will be abble to interfere and create different environments in his usability of the product. The design path is following maximum customization and user interaction with the platforms and products.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
JJ : My last exhibition was in Lisbon, Portugal in May last year. It was the launch of my collection Poetry is Life and it was about 10 different lamp pieces with poetry illustrated by me. You can look at the collection here: https://www.candlein.com/pt/artistas/joana-judice
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
JJ : Well I do walk in the streets with my head up and my eyes wide open. So I think the inspiration is everywhere. I observe carefully the society around me and when I start a creative process all that information comes together to give life to new ideas. But in the end, the inspiration comes from the world around me, from the people I know, the works I criticize...
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?
JJ : I think my approach to design is about always finding some smart connections between the audience, and the brand identity and the message we are trying to communicate. So there's a substancial part given to copy which I frequently do to as creative director and copy writter in my works. Another big and more connected to design part in what I do is the presence of the photography and the illustration as something I explore in a creative and disruptive way. Besides that a very big balance in color choice and usability. I love colors and finding how to use them.
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?
JJ : I live in Portugal but I don't see a big relation between my country and what I design because I travel a lot and I consider myself a human of the world more than a Portuguese citizen.
DI: How do you work with companies?
JJ : Right now I am working full time as an employer in my company but I use to work as a freelancer and I still do that in my free time so the relationship is completely different. In my company I design for some clients but I also design for my company which becomes my client and my supervisor at the same time.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
JJ : I think the most important thing about a designer (in a world where we have so many people with those skills) is to find someone with great design skills and communication ability too. Someone that can understand the purpose of the company and design for that in a very unique way. So it is more about connection between the two worlds rather than just looking for a great designer himself. So look carefully for the work designers have done and be aware that his/her design is compatible with your vision and what you are looking for.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
JJ : Think, search, think, search, think... and then design.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
JJ : the chairs; the record players; the lights; the chairs and books.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
JJ : Right now it is very easy. I wake up, I choose what I am going to wear, I pick my bag and I walk to the closest subway station with my headphones while I listen to my favorite music (which I put together on a playlist). I look around to the city waking up and pay attention to the windows and people and everything around. Then I take the subway and usually start posting on my company social networks and my personal facebook page too. I spend some time looking at people around and sometimes I write or I design in a sketch book. I change the line, take the second subway and then I walk to my company. I say good morning to everyone and I usually turn my computer on and go to the terrace to take a view to the city. Then I start working with my headphones while listening to the music. I take some breaks with my team mates and brainstorm a little about the projects we are running while the machine is responding, rendering or whatever. I take lunch with everyone, work again and then I go home. Sometimes I choose to go by walking to enjoy the city around me and observe what it is happening since the subway goes underground and you can't see anything. I walk my dog, spend time with my love and then I go out for dinner or more usually I cook the dinner at home and the lunch for the next day. I watch something on the internet (like serie or movie) or I read a book or sometimes I look for designers works to look at them. Some other times I just make zapping on facebook looking for something interesting. And then I sleep.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
JJ : Work hard, never forget about the most important thing in life which it is also the most important thing in design. It is all about people and it is all about users. Be humble, take critics and improve your work and your abilities every day. Never stop learning and never stop trying to be better.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
JJ : Worst part: you will never be completely happy about your work because it is always an unfinished business; you will never pleasant everyone and you are always dependent on the opinion of your client. It is not something scientific and there no right. The best part: If you can't please everyone you can't also not please everyone. If it is not scientific and there's no right answer, you have the freedom to create everything and always remember there's also no wrong answer. It is very fulfilling when you can actually go inside your clients mind and guess exactly what he was looking for.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
JJ : Be creative; be persistent; be patient; be hard worker; be perfectionist; be flexible; be technological; be humble...
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
JJ : Adobe Creative Cloud programs; UX-pin and other inspiring platforms with a lot of knowledge and tips about the latest design; the various design award platforms around the world are an excellent research field; the design of everyday things book; apple, coca cola, ikea and google marketing and launching products...
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
JJ : That's an excellent question. You fell in love and you find out easily how to do that.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
JJ : It depends a lot. Can't answer just like that.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
JJ : How do you come with those ideas?
DI: What was your most important job experience?
JJ : All of them. Each one in a different way. Everything that we do makes us become in what we are.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
JJ : Quinta da Lua; Candle In; Dyvia & Victoria Group; O.Love; Smart Consulting; Loop Unique Companies; Shake app; Well Sushi
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
JJ : Publishing.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
JJ : Be happy! Find peace and be aware of the importance of everyday in our life.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
JJ : Normally by myself but I would like to be in a co-design team.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
JJ : I do but I prefer not to talk about. I can just share that I am working in a very interesting project for a beautiful organization and I am preparing my personal new website too which you will be able to see soon in my domain www.joanajudice.com
DI: How can people contact you?
JJ : Right now from facebook: joana.judice; email: joanabgjudice@gmail.com and on linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/joanajudice/
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
JJ : Be happy!