We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Nimrod Riccardo Sapir ("NRS").
Nimrod Sapir was one of the first to coin the term "last mile solution" and develop an electric scooter brand, MYWAY, as a garage project which would help people commute with minimal time and effort, as well as help reduce the carbon footprint of car-use in urban environments. In 2014 Nimrod entered into a partnership with Ningbo MYWAY Intelligent Technology Co. Ltd. which led to the mass production of this model and, over the years, to the design and marketing of 3 other electric scooter model series and, most recently, one e-bike series.
Nimrod Riccardo Sapir Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Nimrod Riccardo Sapir.
Nimrod Riccardo Sapir Design - Ozoa Electric Bicycle
Designer Interview of Nimrod Riccardo Sapir:
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?
NRS : Since I can remember, I have been creating things; I was a fanatical LEGO builder from the age of 3 and built my own toys out of wood. From an early age I was fixing my parents’ electrical appliances (eg: record players, food mixers etc.). When I was 14 I met a friend of my parents who was a graphic designer. I was very inspired by his work and from that time on I knew I wanted to be a designer, although of what type I still wasn’t sure. When I was 22 my good friend started to study Industrial Design. When I looked into it I realized that this was the type of designer I wanted to be. The fit was perfect and I have loved this profession since then.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
NRS : Today I am a part of a company which I founded, that produces micro-mobility solutions. I design all the products, accessories and marketing material. We have an R&D team in Ningbo, China that is responsible for transforming my design concepts into real products.
DI: What is "design" for you?
NRS : Design for me is creating a new world from an idea. As new technologies emerge they bring to possibility new functions. I see the designer’s role as shaping available technology into structures and forms that meet people’s ever-growing needs and demands. My job is to present these ideas as products which are immediately understood and desired by the potential audience.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
NRS : In general I am drawn to the challenges of presenting products with wheels, with a particular focus on micro personal mobility.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
NRS : It varies from time to time. During my studies I greatly admired the designs of Luigi Colani. When I first saw the huge billboard ads for the then new Audi TT I was blown away. Similarly for Apple products.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
NRS : In my 2nd year of design studies (1989) I was challenged to design something for a company which created steel profiles. I was fascinated by the 40*20 steel profile and designed a piece of furniture, 2 meters high, combining bent cut and weld profile with steel cables, together with glass shelves. The product was perhaps too breakthrough at the time and the company did not adopt it. I sold the design (cheaply) to a furniture designer’s chain store. It was their flag product for a few years and it was named after me: the Nimrod Stand.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
NRS : I like using aluminum in its different forms and shapes of which there are many: 1) high pressure molding 2) low pressure molding/gravity 3) forging 4) extrusion Mainly I like to use extrusion if possible. It allows relatively low cost production with the added bonus of thin and strong material.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
NRS : When I draw my first rough sketches of a new concept in my notebooks, or when I find a solution to any kind of technical problem.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
NRS : Stress : )
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
NRS : When judging a design, I look first at the triangle combination of: Production, Function and User Benefits. If they all meet more or less equally I endorse the design. If I see it requires excess effort of manufacturing, or, the other way around, if the engineering is sound and viable but aesthetics and user experience are poor, I reject the design. I am not sure I have answered this question correctly, but these are the thoughts that it provoked in me.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
NRS : Regarding the environment, I actually live in a big conflict as I see myself as an environmentalist. However, industrial design is about promoting the industry and consumption. The least I can do is to think of products which have a long life span. Also, to try and see how to reduce waste during the manufacturing process.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
NRS : It’s a difficult to predict but I would like to see a platform over which many products can use almost the same manufacturing package. The details and the differences of the product would be only graphics that could be print or signs on the product to differentiate. Imagine if all home routers would be the same. There would be no need for extra molds.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
NRS : Be modest Prove yourselves by actions, not words Do not take yourself for granted Learn