Fayez Jazmati

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Fayez Jazmati ("FJ") 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?

FJ : I did my bachelor degree in architectural engineering at the University of Aleppo - Syria in 2010, and got my masters degree in Urban and regional planning from Paris-Sorbonne University in 2016.

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

FJ : I come from a family of architects; as both my parents and my sole younger brother are architects, and because of that, I was raised through architecture, as a young child, I learned how to do space planning before I even knew how to draw cartoon characters!

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

FJ : I Definitely chose it, and actually insisted on it, I was passionate about it since childhood

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

FJ : I do architectural designs for several types of projects, and i wish i can keep doing it and do more projects.

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

FJ : Stay motivated, keep learning, have a sense of ownership and responsibility toward your designs. From my personal experience, because I was passionate about design, and especially at a young age, I have always used every initiative to improve, I did not just sit there and wait for my chance, I created my chances, despite it many times being at my own expense and my own comfort. If we want to improve; we cannot just stay still, we need to get out of our comfort zone and work hard towards our goals.

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

FJ : In Architecture, there is a distinctive difference between a nice design and a brilliant one, and in my opinion in what makes a design brilliant is the ability to apply innovative ideas along with a considerate design concept that puts social, cultural, and environmental aspects into perspective and embraces the surrounding features for each project, exploiting advanced technologies and using smart yet appropriate building materials, which in turn can be a favorable addition to the allocated space and deliver a positive experience to both outer scenery and inner space.

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

FJ : I look at it from different perspectives, from the general proportions of the space to its comfort factor and connectivity of spaces, I ask the following 2 questions to my team when we come up with a design; are you proud of this design? and does it have a strong positive impact on the community? if yes, then we can evaluate the design and consider it a good one.

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

FJ : The design stage is the corner stone of each project, Good quality design can produce better quality of life, it is a human right to have the best possible way of life that can be provided for them.

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

FJ : I would design a community center for my origin home town Aleppo / Syria, to help in the healthy growth of young people in Syria

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

FJ : My dream project has always been to design a landmark building in the beloved city i grew up in; Abu Dhabi / UAE. which can become a symbol for the city.

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

FJ : Design with real care... - Care for our projects - Care for our clients - Care for our brand - Care for our reputation - Care for our history - Care for the details - Care for the greater good...

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

FJ : Inspired by great architects and learning from their design techniques such as Jean Nouvel, Norman Foster, Santiago Caltrava, Tadao Ando, and many others, when the opportunity presents itself to me, I always try to implement my own (continuingly developing) mark on my designs. Influenced by the memorable quote of the great Mies Van De Rohe “Less Is More”, simple yet smart designs are usually the ones to draw more attention and a have a clear and direct visual impact on the spectators, by utilizing architectural features at the right place and when it is needed.

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

FJ : I really love the museum of the future in Dubai which was designed by the brilliant architect Shaun Killa, this project had a massive global impact and became a unique landmark for the city of Dubai and the UAE.

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

FJ : Every design we did has a place in my heart, i do not consider one to be the greatest as every single project has a different story, different challenges, different success, but i personally love one of our recent villas, called ALMA, because every single detail in that project was studied carefully and meant something to us and to the owners.

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

FJ : Mainly, my strategy is to stay motivated and maintain my positive mentality towards design, In the field of construction and design, I believe that we can never stop learning and evolving. I always try to think outside the box when it comes to design (if it serves the purpose) and stay updated with every new idea that can make a difference. If we want to improve; we cannot just stay still, we need to get out of our comfort zone and work hard towards our goals.

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

FJ : I believe i would have been a psychiatrist, as I believe I understand people, and i have the gift of listening to them with empathy and understanding.

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

FJ : Architectural Design is life, it shapes our world, and have a direct impact on our daily life with major effects on our mental and physical health.

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

FJ : My parents, both my mom and dad are architects, they taught me everything i know, they supported me through out all of life, i awe them everything.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

FJ : Love, love for what i do, and i believe it shows in my work.

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

FJ : At first, was finding my path in design, and searching for the right job and mentors that enabled me to learn and grow, then once i found my path; the obstacles i faced during my career were easy to face and i welcome each obstacle and view it as an exciting challenge where i aim to thrive.

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

FJ : Presentation is key in our field, I always tell me team, that any project, even if it was done right in all its details, if it was not presented beautifully, it wont be received positively to its end users.

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

FJ : Land mark project in Abu Dhabi, this is what I am seeking for and what I want and aim to do in the upcoming future.

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

FJ : to be remembered in history, for my work to have a positive impact on our world.

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

FJ : The expectation is high and will be higher every day, as i set high standards for my self and my team first, aiming to Produce designs with the highest quality that applies innovative ideas along with a considerate design concepts that put social, cultural, and environmental aspects into perspective and embraces the surrounding features for each project,

DL: How does design help create a better society?

FJ : Designing high quality buildings that can provide comfort with a strong visual impact will create a better life for the people and lead to a better society.

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

FJ : We are currently working on big scale housing development in the UAE which I am personally excited about.

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

FJ : The satisfaction i get the most is when i see the smile on our clients when we present them their projects in each project, with every project we create beautiful memories, all of our projects have place in my heart and have its own moments in terms of satisfaction.

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

FJ : See designers put their hearts in their work, this will create a healthy and forward thinking competition which will lead to a better community.

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

FJ : I think we will rely more on AI, it will shift our current way of doing things to a different level, most of our known working software will be shifted towards AI.

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

FJ : There is no fixed timeline, it differs depending on each project and amount of work needed to get to best outcome possible.

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

FJ : Sketching with my hands, always. Our hands are directly connected to our subconscious and from there, we get the best ideas

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

FJ : Imagine, Believe, Achieve

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

FJ : Design sets the trend, we as designers create the trends and set the standards.

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

FJ : Major role, we depend heavily on it to do our designs and implement them in reality

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

FJ : We use multiple computer softwares to produce our designs along from the simple drawing softwares to the complex modeling.

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

FJ : It sets the tone and vibes of the space.

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

FJ : Ask about the process and how did we come up with these designs, as it is a journey in each project.

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

FJ : Great designers and dedication to their work.

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

FJ : Yes we do, with brilliant designers across the world, combined co-design might face challenges in the design making during the process but will lead eventually to great designs once they are aligned.

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

FJ : Visionaries and dreamers, these people have big visions and an ever growing ambition to achieve them, it motivates us as designers to make these dreams happen in reality.

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

FJ : A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction by Christopher Alexander The Eyes of the Skin: Architecture and the Senses by Juhani Pallasmaa

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

FJ : Practice, lots and lots of practice and learning from each experience.

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

FJ : Basketball legend; Kobe brynt, he was a master of his field and a legend in basketball, he was my idol growing up.

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

FJ : It fills my heart with joy and satisfaction, being famous is not that hard.

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

FJ : color: navy blue place: Barcelona Food: a good steak. Season: Summer Thing to do: Sports Brand: Nike