We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Jara Freund ("JF").
Jara Freund is a driven industrial design student who has a strong focus and is passionate about her work. After her graduation from Highschool, she began to study industrial design at the University of Applied Sciences, Darmstadt. Since then, Jara created several award-winning designs and gained valuable experience during internships at established design departments. She is now in her last year in industrial design and will graduate from University College Howest in Belgium in summer 2018. Her curiosity and optimism make her a fast-learner and a great asset to every team.
Jara Freund Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Jara Freund.
Designer Interview of Jara Freund:
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?
JF : It was an coincident that I even found out that this kind of profession exists. I was planning on studying architecture but then did an internship some-when during my last High school years at the design department of Braun. I learned how to sketch and got a look at the process of developing a product. I was totally fascinated and started studying industrial design at the University of Applied Science Darmstadt. After two years of studying in Darmstadt, I did an Erasmus semester in Belgium and decided to stay. I am now in my last year and will graduate in June 2018 with a Bachelor of Industrial Design from the University of Applied Science Howest in Kortrijk.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
JF : I do not work in a company or design studio yet.
DI: What is "design" for you?
JF : As an industrial designer I want to give people more joy in products and make them special in use and appearance. I like to work on solutions for new products that are innovative, practical and suitable for production. It should strive to be an experience and deliver more than what’s expected.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
JF : Things that surround us in everyday life. That we almost forget
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
JF : I am a big fan of my 3D-printer. It is a great way to explore forms and make quick prototypes. That way, I get to hold the tangible product-to-be, which clears all doubts and questions I earlier had looking at the 3D-model on my screen. Being able to test ideas quickly and discover what doesn’t work accelerates discovery leading to an ideal solution.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
JF : When I am returning from a trip, exhibition or fair. Even taking a walk around the neighborhood, looking at my surroundings in detail, gives me a lot of inspiration and starts my imagination. Traveling and new impressions from other countries are also very important for my creativity. Seeing new cities and experiencing the different architecture and culture, is a real creativity boost.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
JF : Work on how we can do better for the environment and people, optimize existing products and reduce our negative impact.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
JF : My last exhibition was in Milano, displaying IMNU. I also enjoyed exhibiting IMNU at the Ambiente in Frankfurt.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
JF : As earlier mentioned, I love to travel, going to fairs, exploring new things and just havening an open eye walking through my cities and landscapes. Everyday life is therefore one of my biggest sources for inspiration. In addition, I like scrolling through different scientific or creative platforms and follow other designers on social media.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
JF : I start with really getting to know the product, online-research and/or analyzing different products that are on the market already. Through sketching, I produce as much irritations as possible. Mostly, I then have a sketch towards I tend the most and start over again brainstorming for iterations. I build the first ideas, then prototypes, then testing and go back because something does not work yet, so I adjust. That way, I slowly define the whole product and its details.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
JF : I am one of them, and I love to hear some advise ;)
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
JF : Designers are like modern inventor and therefore can have a great influence on the future. I enjoy being creative and love thinking about the things that surround us. There are so many new possibilities with our technologies and we as industrial designers can in some way determine how we experience and see our world.A disadvantage as a designer might be that there is no off-switch and I never really stop working because I am constantly thinking about projects I am busy with.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
JF : Simplicity and clarity lead to good design.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
JF : I think curiosity might be one of the most important soft skill to have as a designer. Observing, researching, testing and seeing different ways of usage is the basis of a design process and can lead to a well designed product.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
JF : My laptop is my work tool number one. I work with 3D modeling softwares such as Siemens NX or Rhinoceros. I like using Keyshot to visualize my work and use the Adobe Creative Cloud likewise very often. I enjoy sketching and quick prototyping. Furthermore, I make use of a 3D printer which speeds up my design process immensely. In a relatively short time, an idea, concept, dream or invention can go from a simple thought to a produced part.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
JF : So far, I always had deadlines that were due after a semester or even earlier. IMNU was the first project I still worked on even after the deadline had passed. Now, one and a half years later, I can almost call the project finished. Improvement is always possible and a never-ending process.
DI: What was your most important job experience?
JF : I gained great knowledge during my internships and am looking forward to soon start my first job.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
JF : I will graduate this year, so I am looking for interesting positions to work in and to gain more experience. Additionally, I am working on bring some of my products to the market including IMNU.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
JF : Half half. Half of the time I work together with colleagues from university on common projects and the rest of the time I spend working on my own projects.
DI: How can people contact you?
JF : You can contact me via email or my social accounts which are also linked to my website.