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

Toys lover and design enthusiastic Fabien Fontaine work is all about combining his passions and develop item with purpose. His favourite quote "simplicity is the ultimate sophistication". Following a 12 years experience in toy industry, Fabien started Lalaboom a preschool brand inspired by Montessori education where experimentation and open play are at the center of the game to optimize children learning curve.

FABIEN FONTAINE Designs

We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by FABIEN FONTAINE.

Designer Interview of FABIEN FONTAINE:

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?

FF : After having spent more than 10 year in toy industry observing play values that make a good toy and as design lover I naturally used these 2 passions to become a toy designer.

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

FF : Tralala Ltd is a company who bring innovative toy into the market focusing on 2 aspects: Open play function to maximize children possibilities to experiment and discover their own skills. Core play values which are the DNA to take into account when developping preschool toys.

DI: What is "design" for you?

FF : For me design is closely related to simplicity, practical use as well as evidences.

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

FF : All type of toys or products as long as they have a purpose

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

FF : Lalaboom educational beads was our first design

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

FF : I love soft material such as HDPE, EVA or silicone as they offer a unique feeling, it is easy to work with and safe. We are now working on solution to offer similar plastic based on bio-material to keep all the advnatge and to make them more attractive.

DI: When do you feel the most creative?

FF : With a pen and a paper.

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

FF : The meeting point between shapes and purpose

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

FF : It is a paradox between freedom and frustration between opn possibilities and reality.

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

FF : Satisfaction

DI: What makes a design successful?

FF : When it become obvious

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

FF : I am looking at the global picture rather than details

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

FF : The duty of designer is to offer a different point of view and to innovate. By doing this, designer can help society to rethink the way it operate for a better consumption.

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

FF : Design is becoming very important as business players tend to differentiate themselve against competition.

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

FF : We exhibit worldwide, last exhibition was in Nuremberg Germany in February ad we will be in London end of May 2019.

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

FF : My inspiration come from Nature and organic shapes. I feed my creativity by walking into the nature and watching details and patterns around 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?

FF : I was born in France and I live in Hong Kong for 12 years. It makes an interesting mix in terms of heritage, culture and landscape. Both side inspire me a lot.

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

FF : I like to work on ideas untill I found technical challenge, then I leave it for a while to let my subconscious working on it. Then, when I feel ready, I come back to my challenge and generally I find solutions. In order to finalize my design I repeat this process several times.

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

FF : I am not a full time designer but this is for sure the most positive aspect of my work.

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

FF : Everything depend from a point of view. I also use this rule in my life.

DI: What skills are most important for a designer?

FF : Listen and watch. Being open minded and stubborn at the same time.

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

FF : It takes about 1 year to develop a toy project.

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

FF : Did you find this idea alone?

DI: What was your most important job experience?

FF : Sourcing manager for toy company in China

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

FF : Keep doing what I like, keep developping toys

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

FF : I work alone for the main idea and concept, then I require the advise of 2 importants person I trust in.