We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Mohammad Reza Khakpour ("MRK").

Professionally an Architect, though a researcher and designer by nature, I am always looking to find ways to improve people's needs as well as how I can contribute in making people's lives more pleasant. My designs vary from architecture where I am working in metres, to pen making where I am working in millimetres. I have broad experience in working with wood, a material that I love for its lively nature. My Middle Eastern roots have enabled me to have direct contact and experiment with different materials such as stone, wood, paper since childhood on a primary level, while my academic studies in Architecture and my family life in the Mediterranean have given me the intellectual approach that is needed to be inspired and create on a different level.

Mohammad Reza Khakpour Designs

We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Mohammad Reza Khakpour.

Designer Interview of Mohammad Reza Khakpour:

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?

MRK : Design has always been in my blood as I have a connection with raw materials and sculpting. I love touching materials and create with my own hands. Of course, being an Architect has given me the knowledge to reach a deeper level of understanding and design.

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

MRK : Arteavita is more a passion made reality, as it is now embracing architecture and design. Starting up an initiative that can open new doors and new perspectives is giving us the joy to continue our path on product design.

DI: What is "design" for you?

MRK : For me, design is the inspiration gaining shape and altogether functioning perfectly.

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

MRK : I love sculptures and I love working with wood.

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

MRK : My most favourite design has still to come.

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

MRK : A jewelry case.

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

MRK : My favourite material is wood, by far the most beautiful and most natural material.

DI: When do you feel the most creative?

MRK : When I woke up in the morning early at dawn.

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

MRK : Functionality.

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

MRK : An inner peace and harmony, kind of an inaudible melody.

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

MRK : A feeling of fullness that is incomparable to anything.

DI: What makes a design successful?

MRK : Three axes: shape, beauty, function.

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

MRK : I would say as above.

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

MRK : A designer has to be conscious of environmental issues and needs to bring better solutions and more beauty to everyday life.

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

MRK : I cannot even imagine how design will evolve, but I am syure that the human grain will never stop amazing us.

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

MRK : Last wxhibition was in Tehran, in an art gallery. My next exhibition will be in Milan.

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

MRK : Design inspiration comes from my family, my kids, the love I give and receive.

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?

MRK : Industrial I would but by giving it a name is restrictive.

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?

MRK : I live in Greece, the birthplace of my wife. My cultural heritage is strong inside me. I am on a crossroad of cultures and i do belong somewhere in the middle within this Greek-Persian blend.

DI: How do you work with companies?

MRK : As a freelancer, but I am open to new opportunities.

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

MRK : Tell him what you need and let him/her to create.

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

MRK : I firstly sketch on a paper my concept and the I start the design process by bringing it into reality.

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

MRK : I can't deny my pencils are my favourites, I cannot stop looking at them.

DI: Can you describe a day in your life?

MRK : I wake up in the morning, have a good breakfast around the table with my wife and kids, and then leave to go to my beloved office/workshop, a place full of life and love that I created for myself. When I come back home, rest, gym or playing football with my son.

DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?

MRK : Listen to the society, feel the vibes and leave your brain free from any restraints. Just create!

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

MRK : A positive is the passion you carry to make people's life better. A negative is that unfortunately you cannot always succeed in it.

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

MRK : Less is more.

DI: What skills are most important for a designer?

MRK : Empathy and optimism. A stable hand is working miracles too.

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

MRK : My tools are my wood chisels.I have some special ones that I brought from the Middle East, from the masters of wood.

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

MRK : I trh not to think of time; throughout the years I realised that time is so relative that you should let yourself free from ot.

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

MRK : It can take anytime from two hours to a year depending on the complexity and tge research vehind the design.

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

MRK : What is your favourite design?

DI: What was your most important job experience?

MRK : The one I am having now.

DI: Who are some of your clients?

MRK : We have designers, Architects and fashion designers loving our products.

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

MRK : I am in love with product design for the moment, in particular handmade sculptures.

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

MRK : I am focusing on stationery supplies in particular in wooden sketching pencils for the moment but the ideas are infinite.

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

MRK : My wife and I are partners in life and partners at work, I am an Architect and she is an Arts Manager so we are complementing each other in design.

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

MRK : I have so many ongoing projects I would need another interview to discuss about them. More is coming and will be soon revealed.

DI: How can people contact you?

MRK : Send me an email, call me on the phone directly, text me on Instagram, facebook, send me a letter. Let me here from you in any way.

DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?

MRK : Tell me about you!