Tihana Mikša

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Tihana Mikša ("TM") 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?

TM : I graduated from the Faculty of Textile Technology, University of Zagreb, Department of Textile and Clothing Design.

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

TM : I choose to become a designer.

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

TM : I am most excited about design based on textile research.

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

TM : I am not a design legend. I just enjoy making textiles and clothes.

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

TM : You think about great design for days. And it stays somewhere inside as inspiration.

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

TM : It seems to me that good design is one that respects its audience.

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

TM : Because it lasts a long time and provides added value...makes me happy.

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

TM : I don't have a dream project.

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

TM : Many...I remember when I saw Ma Ke Wuyong a long time ago how it affected me.

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

TM : There are a lot of good designers. I like to recognize that they have put a lot of thought into what they are doing.

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

TM : Always research.

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

TM : I don't know.

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

TM : The Past...at Last project. Because I had a lot of time, and invested a lot of money, to research the subject.

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

TM : I collect and filter information.

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

TM : None of that, fashion repeats itself in a circular fashion. Within this, new trends and designs are created.

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

TM : I would say it differently, I stick to the "holy trinity": shape, color, and materia. The aspiration is that all three are at a high level. And the ambient is something that can provide a description or context.

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

TM : ...who can read my mind. Not really.

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

TM : Designer and illustrator Goran Lelas.

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

TM : A lot of it.

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

TM : When I manage to create a new model that works. I have ways of observing myself, when it's good to work, and when it's better to take a breath of air.