We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Mahnaz Karimi ("MK").
She is a modern abstract artist, specializing in resin art, fluid art and acrylic painting. As a creative artist, her methods are unorthodox. She attempts to give viewers a glimpse of nature. She started art from an early age but it has always been her concern to work professionally. She is a resin art influencer in her country and is able to determine and design new trends in her art community.
Mahnaz Karimi Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Mahnaz Karimi.
Mahnaz Karimi Design - Dandelion and Wishes Wall Art Decor
Designer Interview of Mahnaz Karimi:
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?
MK : As a child, one of my wishes was to be a famous artist and designer, someone who designed uniquely and made different artworks. My interest to art was cultivated during my teenage years and further developed when I opted to take my Bachelor’s degree in Graphics from Alzahra University in Tehran, Iran. I had so many concerns in mind and have always tried to show these concerns differently; therefore, I found art the best medium to express my thoughts, concerns and my world, which is a unique utopia.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
MK : I have been working in my art studio for a long time. My studio is filled with all the materials and supplies I could want in one place. I've had lots of bittersweet memories there, so the walls and objects reflect all my efforts to reach my desirable results.
DI: What is "design" for you?
MK : Design is a kind of journey that no one can easily go on.Once the designer steps into this journey, s/he encounters many ups and downs that can be considered as the experiences they obtained. When the journey is over, the outcome and souvenir of this journey would be the great influences the design had on the people's lives. Like traveling to unexplored places with special and unique achievements, the designers' souvenir of journey of design can be all the creativity, new ideas and unique designs.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
MK : I like to design something that gives me a sense of flying, to have an upward motion in the design and convey happiness.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
MK : My favorite design is abstract painting specially minimalist which is a world of imagination, full of colors, dimension and effects.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
MK : I designed some paintings for ISTA company in 2010. I painted some of Van Gogh's paintings but used different material and styles which is a great deconstruction in glass painting. In fact, I applied Van Gogh's oil painting style using glass painting(vitray) materials. I also designed geometric paintings of computer scientists for this company.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
MK : My favorite material is resin, which can depict my feeling the best way. various forms and effects can be created with resin.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
MK : When I get an inspiration and use my materials to depict the feeling and sense and I've been successful in it.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
MK : I mostly focus on the message the design is going to have. I also try to focus on the unique forms that have not been seen or created before. It is also important for me to get out structures and lines and have a new dimension and layer in the artwork.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
MK : I have a sense of birth, when designing. I think I am created by my design not my design is created by me. Some of my artworks are so warm and nice that I think I am their child, therefore, I am extremely attached to them.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
MK : I think it can be the biggest thing for any artist or designer. I get a sense of calmness that covers all my failure and bad memories when performed the design. It gives me extra motivation to continue when my designs are realized and I get positive feedback.
DI: What makes a design successful?
MK : Designer's own belief and faith in his/her created design is the first thing to make a design successful.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
MK : The message the design has or the message I get from the design regarding the sense of calmness and peace is one of the aspects I consider when judging a design. If a design is taking a step toward thinking about the ideals in life, I will judge it as good. The designer's biography and background is another aspect which I pay attention to when judging a design.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
MK : Designers have the ability to make changes that politicians, governess and leaders are trying to make, without using power, money or force just with a single design. therefore, the designer must have ideals and goals toward excellence and perfection.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
MK : The design field is going toward the most wonderful state it can have, overcoming the basic needs and moving toward a minimal utopia.The perception of designs needs more knowledge of this field. Designs are created not just to express beauty but to communicate with the audience.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
MK : I am going to exhibit in WORLD ART DUBAI and ART SHOPPING in PARIS, in October 2020.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
MK : My big source of inspiration is the nature. In addition, I get inspired by human ideal life without any violence.
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?
MK : My dominant design style is abstract, however, sometimes I apply minimalist styles, too.My designs are primarily based upon pouring which means applying the paint by pouring rather than applying the paint with a brush. My approach is to give the most messages in my design having the least involvement, so that the colors and layers can themselves reflect the intention.
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?
MK : I live in Iran, whose cultural history goes back to 7000 years ago. The most prominent architectures, paintings and literature belonged to my country. In fact, We have a treasure of 7000-year-old cultural heritage. I got the most effect on my art from the king " Cyrus the Great", who always emphasized living in a world of peace,respect and kindness without war and violence. I try to depict these values in my designs.
DI: How do you work with companies?
MK : Upon companies' request considering exquisite gifts for their clients, various interior designs and decorations for their work space
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
MK : Unfortunately, the companies usually choose celebrity designers and artists. I suggest that they ask new designers to design for them. Have a little patience and let them show their great talents and abilities.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
MK : My designs first come from an instant idea in mind, then I try to perform them in various models, colors and sizes until I could see my first inspiring idea in my created work. Sometimes I need to master the chemistry and knowledge of the medium, take photos of the nature or search to further develop the process of designing.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
MK : A Geode painting Serving trays Coasters
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
MK : I start my new day from the previous day, thinking about what I am going to do the following day, the works I am going to do and the designs I am going to make. Then I go to my studio, which is again a new start for me.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
MK : I suggest that young designers settle goals for themselves,know where they are and how they feel when designing. Go beyond the boundaries and limits. Respect other designers and the design world. Be patient and persistent. Spend time and energy for what they are doing. Sometimes you have to sacrifice something such as youth to achieve better things in the future.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
MK : You can change your mood and feeling yourself. You can also lead others toward perfection or deterioration.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
MK : Harmony and right arrangement of colors on the painting to show the main design is my golden rule. It is not important how many colors are involved, but proper arrangement of these colors on the board is what is crucial for me when designing.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
MK : Living well, having enough information about how to use forms and colors, Seeing things around, having concerns in mind can be the important skills for a designer.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
MK : An idea first comes to my mind and then I try to use the "Paint" application to add colors, use "YouTube'' and "Pinter est" to see how various performances on the design. Sometimes I see other artists' and designers' works, maybe an architecture or a poem", gather the information I need and think about my design.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
MK : To be honest, I sometimes got immersed in my work and spend hours working on a design. sometimes it is really difficult to manage time. I try to sleep less to get my final desired result and then get the relaxation and sense of satisfaction of work at the end.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
MK : It depends on the process that needs to be taken. Some works can be created by some initial tests but some works need molding and some specific designing process, therefore they take more time, sometimes months.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
MK : They ask me how they can be good designers.
DI: What was your most important job experience?
MK : My most important job experience is to make progress every day and to be patient and persistent.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
MK : Decorators, galleries and art shops are usually my clients.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
MK : I enjoy Modern, Luxury Modern and Minimal designs.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
MK : To be seen widely in the world, expanding my design boundaries to other countries and helping others to learn the skills and techniques of my art in the world.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
MK : I mostly work individually but sometimes I certainly need a team to support me. I am so happy to have a team I can trust.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
MK : I have a collection of artworks that I am working on to be shown in Carousel Du Louvre in Paris, which is a synthesis of classical art and modern art of resin.
DI: How can people contact you?
MK : I have a website. www.mahnazkarimi.art My email address is mahnazkarimi.modernart@gmail.com You can search my name in YouTube, Pinterest and Linked-in, too
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
MK : A design can develop and progress when coming into production.There are some people who would like to support artists and designers and sponsor their designs and My biggest concern as an artist living in Iran is to provide the high quality materials which are not available in Iran or are very expensive and not affordable. I would like people to consider all aspects of a design when they select it, the costs, the time and help new designers develop.