We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Simone Hutsch ("SH").
I’m Simone Hutsch aka heysupersimi, a passionate graphic designer and enthusiastic self-taught architecture photographer from Berlin, Germany and currently living in London, UK. Self-motivated projects as well as commissioned work trigger my curiosity and keep my creative juices flowing. My work combines art and photography and lets people dive into a different world. I’m using my camera to explore the geometry in architecture. Afterwards, I give the buildings a surreal touch in my retouching process. When I’m outside with my camera, I see the world around me with a different eye. Having an imagination of the final piece is key when I take a picture. Pattern, colour or shapes, as well as the perspective, are very inspiring to me. The perspective has a crucial role. It’s always very impressing by how the geometry of a building changes when you change your point of view. My retouching process plays another key role. It gives me the opportunity to create completely new buildings, tidy up the facade and adjust the colours. I truly enjoy both parts in the process, being outside taking pictures and the retouch afterwards at home. But the most rewarding aspect of my work is when I can inspire people.
Simone Hutsch Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Simone Hutsch.
Simone Hutsch Design - Nght Architecture Photography
Simone Hutsch Design - Prt Architecture Photography
Designer Interview of Simone Hutsch:
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?
SH : I’ve studied graphic design, I was always really creative. However I never dreamed of being an artist/ designer.
DI: What is "design" for you?
SH : Design is about reimagining and transforming spaces to evoke new ways of seeing and experiencing the world, solving problems and making content accessible. It's a blend of creativity and storytelling.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
SH : I love designing and photographing surreal architectural compositions as well as creating brand identities. These works allow me to push the boundaries of reality and explore the interplay between structure and imagination.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
SH : I enjoy working with digital tools like Photoshop but I also love experimenting with traditional print techniques such as screen printing or generally different paper textures.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
SH : In the evenings after a good day outside. Coming home and explore on my own how I can transform buildings through my photography and editing techniques.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
SH : Some kind of freedom, calmness and happiness.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
SH : When my designs are realized, I feel a deep sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. It's rewarding to see my imaginative concepts come to life and resonate with viewers.
DI: What makes a design successful?
SH : A design is successful when it captures attention, evokes emotion, and challenges conventional perceptions. It should invite viewers to see the world in a new way. Simplicity is key.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
SH : I first consider its visual impact and originality. The design should be thought-provoking and technically well-executed.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
SH : Designers have a responsibility to inspire and innovate while considering the social and environmental impact of their work. Ethical and sustainable practices are essential in the design process.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
SH : I just recently had one in London (8th June 2024) which was really exciting. Next one will need to be planned soon.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
SH : My inspiration comes from urban landscapes, modern architecture, and geometric forms. I feed my creativity by traveling, exploring new cities, and continuously experimenting with new techniques.
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?
SH : My design style is surreal, minimalist, colourful and geometric – a little bit ‘Accidentally Wes Anderson’ like. This style evolved from my graphic design background, I love colours and shapes and creating a surreal world.
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?
SH : I’m originally from Berlin, Germany but moved to London in 2016 to broaden my horizon. I guess there’s a certain element of organisation and symmetry in my work due to being German?
DI: How do you work with companies?
SH : I collaborate with companies by understanding their vision and translating it into visually compelling and imaginative designs. Effective communication and a shared creative vision are key to successful projects.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
SH : My design process involves exploring architectural spaces, photographing interesting structures, and then manipulating these images digitally to create surreal compositions.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
SH : Art and design are two different things and everyone that is in the creative industry should ask themselves the question of whether you come first or your client. If you’re willing to put your clients/business needs first, be a designer, if you want to express yourself through your work, be an artist.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
SH : I mean I love what I do. Work not always feels like it’s work. Sometimes however putting the client first (and not me) can still feel hard. Tight deadlines are always challenging as well.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
SH : My golden rule is to stay true to your creative vision and not be afraid to challenge conventional norms. Innovation often comes from taking risks and exploring new territories.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
SH : My toolbox includes my camera, any Adobe Software and a lot of scrolling through design blogs for inspiration.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
SH : I manage my time by setting clear goals, prioritizing tasks, and being consistent in my process, everyday a little bit. Coming back with fresh eyes in the morning is key.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
SH : The timeline for designing a piece can vary, but typically it involves weeks of exploration, photography, and post-production editing for a series in my case.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
SH : Can you just ‘quickly’ help me with something, it’s real quick, just 5 minutes…
DI: Who are some of your clients?
SH : ADOBE, DELL, SLG CREATIVE AGENCY MANCHESTER
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
SH : A new exhibition would be great but first I want to finish a new series. I’m currently looking into a new series of surreal budlings in surreal landscapes, I want to combine a bit more nature photography I did during my last long holiday in America with my buildings. There’s a lot of Photoshop work to be done still.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
SH : In my day-to-day job I collaborate with many people but the photographs are done alone.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
SH : See question 36
DI: How can people contact you?
SH : People can contact me through my website https://www.heysupersimi.com email heysupersimi@gmail.com or social media @heysupersimi.