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

Zach Raven is an Industrial Designer with more than 12 years of experience, living in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Winner of multiple awards, including numerous Best of Neocon awards, A' Design Award, Good Design and Red Dot awards, he is the Owner/CCO of RVNDSGN, a multi-disciplinary design firm focusing on wearable design.

Zach Raven Designs

We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Zach Raven.

Designer Interview of Zach Raven:

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?

ZR : I grew up curious and drawing all the time. It wasn't until I discovered Industrial Design during my third year of college, that I immediately made an appointment at Kendall College of Art and Design to learn more. I knew right away this was what I wanted to do.

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

ZR : RVNDSGN designed the first 3D printed watch in 2011. Today we are partnered with Swiss engineering and manufacturing companies to bring our next line of timepieces to the market. As a firm, we focus on solving problems and designing minimal, beautiful products.

DI: What is "design" for you?

ZR : Design is all about identifying the problem or opportunity and solving those problems to improve peoples interactions with the product.

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

ZR : Furniture and watches.

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

ZR : Some of my favorite designs are the ones that dont change a lot from conceptualization to final product. That tends to mean that everything lined up, timing, engineering, manufacturing, price. Some of the seating products I've worked on like the Trillia Stool for Gunlocke and Vicinity Lounge for Allsteel worked out that way.

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

ZR : I worked on desking systems as an intern for a large furniture company in Michigan.

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

ZR : CAD can both be a great tool, or a great crutch. If CAD is used as A tool in the process, instead of the ONLY tool, you can do great things with it.

DI: When do you feel the most creative?

ZR : I need to be inspired. That can come from anywhere. Some cool picture of nature, or a sweet car rolling by. The mess of toys after our kids have been playing. Inspiration is everywhere.

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

ZR : The early, blue-sky conceptualization is my favorite part of the design process. Being able to interpret the brief in the least constricting time is my favorite and most creative.

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

ZR : When a design really comes together on every aspect, price, manufacturing, engineering, marketing, and design; that really leads to a lot of excitement.

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

ZR : Pride, I guess. As long as the client is happy, we are happy.

DI: What makes a design successful?

ZR : I think the most successful designs fit the need at a reachable price. Design doesn't need to be expensive or use exotic materials to work. The most successful products are the ones that the most people can use, and the right price can make a product much more accessible.

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

ZR : Usually if the design effectively solves a problem, closely followed by its aesthetics.

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

ZR : Most of the things we create and consume are not necessary. With that in mind, environmentally conscious decisions should always be at the front of a designers mind. From selecting materials, to manufacturing processes, to shipping. The least environmentally impactful methods should always be considered.

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

ZR : I'm excited to see more and more females enter the field. I think the more diverse design becomes, the better it becomes.

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

ZR : NeoCon in Chicago.

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

ZR : As answered above, inspiration can come from anywhere.

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?

ZR : Minimalist. I think the challenge of crating something simple, either in function or aesthetics can be very challenging, and when it works out, it's fantastic.

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?

ZR : Michigan. We are located in the heart of the contract furniture industry, so there is a lot of history in our backyard.

DI: How do you work with companies?

ZR : From beginning to end. From before there is even a brief, to after launch.

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

ZR : There is a growing movement for design thinking across company's executives. There is a reason for that. Any company ignoring design is ignoring potential growth in their future.

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

ZR : Robot vacuum, Vitra Slow Chair, our home (designed by myself and my wife), our patio fire pit, bar height table for entertaining.

DI: What skills are most important for a designer?

ZR : problem solving and innovative thinking.

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

ZR : Pen, paper, Rhino 3D, Keyshot, photoshop.

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

ZR : I don't think designers can sit down and shoot out 50 amazing designs just because they were asked to. Sure, you can do it, but most of them will be bad. Design takes time and thought. Thinking through solutions and collaboration always lead to a better product.

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

ZR : It depends on the project, usually 6 months to 2 years in my experience.

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

ZR : Where do you get your ideas?

DI: What was your most important job experience?

ZR : My current ones.

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

ZR : Conceptualization and blue-sky thinking.

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

ZR : Not sure, but I'm excited to go wherever my work leads me.

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

ZR : The M1 Timepiece is currently in development.

DI: How can people contact you?

ZR : Usually through LinkedIn, or email through our website.