Samin Mousavi

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Samin Mousavi ("SM") for their original perspective and innovative approach to design as well as their creative lifestyle, we are very pleased to share our interview with our distinguished readers.

DL: Could you please tell us a bit about your design background and education?

SM : I hold two bachelor's degrees, one in Architecture, and another in Set and Costume Design for Cinema and Theatre.

DL: What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?

SM : I love telling stories through design.

DL: Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?

SM : I proudly chose it.

DL: What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?

SM : I focus on conceptual and modern avant-garde costumes for my films and photos, along with set designs for my projects. These days, I'm also exploring AI to enhance the conceptual development of my visuals.

DL: What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?

SM : Never think of yourself as a legend—just keep growing.

DL: What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?

SM : Intuition and emotional connection to their design.

DL: What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?

SM : Authenticity. When a design is a genuine expression of the creator, it elevates the designer into an artist.

DL: What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?

SM : Uniqueness, Because it helps people stand out and be authentic.

DL: What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?

SM : For anyone who wants to see themselves inside a story through design. nothing else!

DL: What is the dream project you haven’t yet had time to realize?

SM : An international, multidisciplinary project combining photography, video art, and installation performance, based on Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot.

DL: What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?

SM : Not striving for perfection, just following what I truly believe in.

DL: Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?

SM : Alejandro Jodorowsky, Zaha Hadid, Alexander McQueen, and Tim Walker.

DL: What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?

SM : Alexander McQueen’s avant-garde gothic designs. He fused concept and form into something far beyond functionality, they were storytelling tools. Symbolic set designs of Alejandro Jodorowsky's films

DL: What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?

SM : The costume design for my character “Pine Lady.” From idea to execution, it took just two days. I didn’t overthink it, I trusted the process, and it found its own way to be seen.

DL: How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?

SM : Believe in the vision inside your head, and keep trying to bring it to life—find a way, no matter what.

DL: If you hadn’t become a designer, what would you have done?

SM : A politician.

DL: How do you define design, what is design for you?

SM : Design makes life better and more comfortable for living beings. But beyond that, it should make people think and feel deeply.

DL: Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?

SM : The entire universe.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

SM : Having the courage to follow what felt right to me.

DL: What were the obstacles you faced before becoming a design master?

SM : Turning my technical limitations into real-life creations.

DL: How do you think designers should present their work?

SM : Through competitions, concept stores, and with the help of a good marketing consultant.

DL: What’s your next design project, what should we expect from you in future?

SM : Projects with multicultural concepts that touch on global peace at different levels.

DL: What’s your ultimate goal as a designer?

SM : To be an artist and for my designs to go beyond utility and become poetic forms of expression.

DL: What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?

SM : Depth and originality.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

SM : When designers embed morality and meaning into their work, it shapes culture and conscience.

DL: What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?

SM : A feature film I’m producing, where I’m also exploring a completely new way of being a designer.

DL: Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?

SM : The ones where my vision was fully realized projects where I developed the dramaturgy of the story based on my perspective. I believe in storytelling through design.

DL: What would you like to see changed in design industry in the coming years?

SM : I hope it becomes more conceptual and artistic.

DL: Where do you think the design field is headed next?

SM : It’s merging with technology and media, especially AI.

DL: How long does it take you to finalize a design project?

SM : It depends. Sometimes just 3 days, sometimes over 3 years.

DL: When you have a new design project, where do you start?

SM : By gathering a trusted team.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

SM : Magic can always happen.

DL: Do you think design sets the trends or trends set the designs?

SM : Both, it’s a dialogue.

DL: What is the role of technology when you design?

SM : It depends on the project, but I love having AI as a creative assistant.

DL: What kind of design software and equipment do you use in your work?

SM : Depending on the project: Adobe Creative Suite, DaVinci Resolve, Sony and Canon cameras and lenses, ARRI and Godox lights.

DL: What is the role of the color, materials and ambient in design?

SM : They breathe life into a design and determine how it emotionally connects with the user.

DL: What do you wish people to ask about your design?

SM : Nothing. I prefer to hear their experience of it.

DL: When you see a new great design or product what comes into your mind?

SM : "This design is alive ,how can I connect with it?"

DL: Who is your ideal design partner? Do you believe in co-design?

SM : Reliable collaborators who can execute ideas. And yes, I believe in co-design.

DL: Which people you interacted had the most influence on your design?

SM : Anyone who believes even the hardest ideas can be born—and helps make them real.

DL: Which books you read had the most effect on your design?

SM : The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.

DL: How did you develop your skills as a master designer?

SM : By studying interdisciplinary fields like literature, philosophy, psychology, and dramaturgy. I wanted to go beyond technical design and give my work artistic soul.

DL: Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?

SM : Friedrich Nietzsche and Alejandro Jodorowsky.

DL: How do you feel about all the awards and recognition you had, is it hard to be famous?

SM : My greatest joy comes during the design process. When it’s finished, I release it to the world and start something new. Fame is nice, but the real joy is in creating.

DL: What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?

SM : Black and white. The whole world. French fries. Spring and autumn. My camera. Coca-Cola Zero.

DL: Please tell us a little memoir, a funny thing you had experienced as a designer?

SM : I once presented a super-minimalist model for a stage design—just a silver bowl with wine and a candle. While others made detailed models, I confidently explained mine conceptually. My professor was so stunned he joked about failing me because of my boldness.

DL: What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?

SM : Wandering aimlessly through chaotic city streets with a creative friend, discovering authentic places and objects.

DL: When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?

SM : Not really—I seemed more like an actress or performer. I was always singing and dancing.

DL: What do you think about future; what do you see will happen in thousand years from now?

SM : Dinosaurs might come back to Earth.

DL: Please tell us anything you wish your fans to know about you, your design and anything else?

SM : I'm just a simple person who loves creating art in different forms. If you like what I do, thank you, that means a lot. But please don’t call yourselves my fans. In my world, you’re all my friends.