We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Jaco Roeloffs ("JR").
I am a Dutch South African sculptor based in Brisbane, Australia. I work with modern materials and technology to show the beauty of our planet. My speciality is interpretation and new perspectives on subjects and nature. Using old and new materials combined with modern tools and machines.
Jaco Roeloffs Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Jaco Roeloffs.
Jaco Roeloffs Design - Superegg Sculpture Installation
Designer Interview of Jaco Roeloffs:
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
JR : I am an emerging artist. I started in 2018 as a sculptor. I work with a russian design engineer to help me bring some of the complex manufacturing to life.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
JR : Work that links to a story or a human behaviour.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
JR : Late mornings
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?
JR : Innocent, idealistic.
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?
JR : I live in Brisbane, Australia. I was born and raised in rural South Africa. My early adult years I spent in The Netherlands. All of these places influenced me to become who I am today.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
JR : Learn to let your imagination go and just dont judge where it goes straight away.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
JR : Positives are seeing my work appreciated and resonate with people.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
JR : Trust your instincts and follow through with your ideas. Don't let them die in your head.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
JR : Adobe, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign. Also Inventor and Solidworks for 3D and manufacturing drawings.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
JR : IT is difficult as I have to be flexible with school age children while I work from home.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
JR : At this stage of my career most of my projects take average 3 months to complete.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
JR : How do you come up with these ideas?
DI: Who are some of your clients?
JR : Mainly school looking for unique and meaningful monumental artworks that resonate with all stakeholders.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
JR : Large sculptural installations that is bold and challenging. Regardless of materials needed, I use what I need to in order to get the desired effect.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
JR : I am working on a commission for a school that captures the flight path of a falling seed.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
JR : Conceptual work is done by me. Technical design and engineering I do with Andrew Strelnikov.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
JR : Currently I have a work in progress that is a response to the destruction of my first major sculpture called "Sandberg". The sculpture was destroyed by the bushfires in Australia in 2019.
DI: How can people contact you?
JR : Via email through hello@jacoroeloffs.com