Esmail Ghadrdani

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Esmail Ghadrdani ("EG") 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?

EG : I have an academic background in design and have been professionally active in the field of product and industrial design for several years. Alongside formal education, a large part of my growth came from hands-on projects, experimentation, and continuous self-learning. I have participated in numerous international design competitions, where my works have been recognized with multiple awards, which helped shape my professional perspective and refine my design approach.

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

EG : Design allows me to translate ideas, emotions, and cultural values into tangible forms. I am motivated by the challenge of solving problems while creating meaningful and lasting experiences for users. Becoming a designer felt natural to me, as I have always been interested in how objects influence human behavior, lifestyle, and emotional connection.

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

EG : I consciously chose to become a designer. It was not a forced decision, but rather a gradual realization that design is the best language through which I can express my creativity, curiosity, and analytical thinking. Over time, this choice became a clear professional commitment.

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

EG : I mainly design products that balance functionality, aesthetics, and conceptual depth. I am especially interested in designs that combine contemporary needs with cultural or artistic references. In the future, I would like to focus more on meaningful product systems and collectible or concept-driven designs that tell a story beyond pure function.

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

EG : Young designers should focus on building a strong design mindset rather than chasing trends. Consistency, curiosity, and discipline are essential. It is important to experiment, fail, learn, and develop a personal design language. International exposure, critical thinking, and patience play a key role in long-term success.

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

EG : A good designer can solve problems effectively, but a great designer can redefine the problem itself. Great designers think beyond the brief, consider long-term impact, and create designs that remain relevant over time. They design with intention, not just skill.

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

EG : A really good design achieves harmony between function, form, usability, and meaning. I evaluate good design by how clearly it communicates its purpose, how intuitively it works for users, and how well it stands the test of time both aesthetically and conceptually.

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

EG : Good design improves quality of life, reduces complexity, and creates emotional value. It is not a luxury, but an investment in efficiency, sustainability, and user satisfaction. Well-designed products last longer, perform better, and build stronger connections with people.

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

EG : If time were not a limitation, I would design products that explore the intersection of culture, craftsmanship, and modern living. I would design for users who value thoughtful design, authenticity, and long-lasting objects rather than disposable products.

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

EG : My dream project is to develop a complete design collection inspired by cultural narratives, where each product functions independently yet forms a cohesive story as a whole. It is a project that requires time, research, and freedom, and I hope to fully realize it in the near future.

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

EG : My secret ingredient is consistency combined with curiosity. Continuously questioning assumptions, refining ideas, and staying committed to quality has played a major role in my success.

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

EG : I am inspired by designers who combine concept, function, and timeless aesthetics. Both classic industrial designers and contemporary conceptual thinkers influence my approach.

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

EG : I admire designs that appear simple yet are deeply thoughtful. I am drawn to works where every detail has a reason and nothing feels unnecessary.

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

EG : One of my favorite and most meaningful designs is Cubecor. I consider it a great design because of its high level of creativity and its puzzle-based nature, which encourages focus, exploration, and imaginative thinking. The modular structure invites users to actively engage, solve, and create, rather than passively use the product. Cubecor reflects my approach to design as an interactive experience that combines functionality, creativity, and cognitive engagement.

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

EG : Designers can improve by practicing regularly, studying great designs, and learning from failure. I focused on constant experimentation, feedback, and real-world projects.

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

EG : I would likely have pursued a creative or problem-solving field, as the need to create and analyze has always been central to my personality.

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

EG : Design is the process of turning ideas into meaningful and functional solutions. For me, it is a balance between logic, emotion, and purpose.

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

EG : I have largely walked this path independently and without specific institutional support. However, the one person who truly encouraged, supported, and guided me along the way was my respected mentor, Dr. Ebrahim Bagheri. His belief in my abilities and his thoughtful guidance played an important role in helping me stay focused and confident throughout my journey.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

EG : A combination of persistence, openness to learning, and international exposure helped me grow as a designer and refine my perspective.

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

EG : The main obstacles were limited resources, time constraints, and self-doubt. Overcoming them required patience, discipline, and long-term commitment.

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

EG : Designers should present their work clearly and honestly, focusing on the idea, process, and value behind the design rather than only visual appeal.

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

EG : My upcoming projects will continue exploring the balance between functionality, concept, and cultural narrative, with a stronger focus on meaningful product experiences.

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

EG : My ultimate goal is to create designs that remain relevant over time and contribute positively to both users and the design community.

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

EG : People expect thoughtful solutions, consistency in quality, and a clear design vision that goes beyond trends.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

EG : Design improves everyday life by making systems more accessible, efficient, and human-centered, ultimately shaping better interactions between people and their environment.

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

EG : I am currently working on concept-driven product designs that combine modern functionality with deeper narrative and identity.

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

EG : Projects that allowed creative freedom and resulted in strong user engagement have given me the most satisfaction, especially when they achieved both recognition and real-world impact.

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

EG : I would like to see a stronger emphasis on originality, sustainability, and long-term value rather than short-lived trends.

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

EG : The design field is moving toward more interdisciplinary, sustainable, and culturally aware solutions.

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

EG : The timeline varies by project, but I prioritize thoughtful research and refinement over speed to ensure a well-resolved final outcome.

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

EG : I start by understanding the problem, context, and user needs before moving into concept development and form exploration.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

EG : Design with purpose, not decoration.

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

EG : Strong design sets trends, while trends often follow meaningful and well-resolved design ideas.

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

EG : Technology is a tool that enables ideas, improves precision, and expands creative possibilities, but it never replaces concept or intention.

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

EG : I use a combination of digital modeling, rendering, and visualization tools alongside traditional sketching and prototyping methods.

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

EG : Color, materials, and environment shape perception and emotional response, turning a functional object into a complete experience.

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

EG : I wish people would ask about the idea and reasoning behind the design, not just its appearance.

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

EG : I immediately think about the idea behind it and how clearly the designer translated intention into form.

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

EG : My ideal design partner is someone who challenges ideas and shares a strong design vision. I believe co-design can lead to richer and more thoughtful outcomes.

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

EG : Designers, mentors, and creative professionals from diverse backgrounds have influenced my perspective through shared ideas and critical discussions.

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

EG : Books on design thinking, art, architecture, and philosophy have had the most influence, especially those that focus on human-centered design and timeless principles.

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

EG : Through continuous practice, critical self-evaluation, and learning from both success and failure across real projects and competitions.

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

EG : I would like to discuss ideas with visionary designers and thinkers who reshaped how we understand form, function, and meaning.

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

EG : I see awards as motivation and responsibility rather than fame. Recognition encourages higher standards, but staying focused on design remains essential.

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

EG : I prefer neutral and natural tones, inspiring cultural spaces, simple well-crafted food, calm seasons, thoughtfully designed objects, and brands with strong design values.

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

EG : Once, a simple sketch was mistaken for a final product, reminding me how powerful visual communication can be even at its earliest stage.

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

EG : Seeing an idea evolve into a clear solution motivates me. Progress, even small steps, makes a great design day.

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

EG : Looking back, my curiosity for objects, drawing, and problem-solving hinted at my future path, even if it wasn’t fully clear at the time.

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

EG : Design will continue to evolve as a bridge between humans and technology, focusing more on sustainability, ethics, and coexistence.

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

EG : I believe design is a continuous journey of learning and refinement. Curiosity, honesty, and purpose are at the core of my work.