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Interview with Marie Laurent |
Home > Designer Interviews > Marie Laurent |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer Marie Laurent (ML) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of Marie Laurent by clicking here.
FS: 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?
ML: My entire family is artistic. An architect, a painter, an illustrator and a designer.I think design is part of us, and always made me want to be a designer.
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
ML: Marie Laurent Architecture llc started in UAE 3 years ago. working on residential and commercial projects. We have been working on small and big projects...always striving for another award winning design! The company believe in " simply- simple", where fashion is irrelevant and the search of talent is adamant.
FS: What is "design" for you?
ML: Design is the pleasure of the eye. I believe architecture should be sure. This gives it character and strength through simplicity. I design simple lines so that you can focus on them only, and give them all the attention they need.
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
ML: I like designing with nature. Bringing the outside inside. No matter the size of the space you are designing, a window on a enchanting view is enough to design the entire space around it.The challenge of designing, enhancing the view on every angle, brining the natural light, playing with its shadows and creating volumes.
FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
ML: I am attracted to lighting design.I like how it integrates and stands out in the same time. A minimalist design that takes over, just with light. I embrace natural light in my design and recreate an atmosphere with artificial lights.
FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
ML: an awful design! I had no clue what i was doing, just very enthusiast to start..and listening to the client who wanted more and more and more, no more. Since, I keep it simple!
FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
ML: I would say, the technology of tomorrow in the platform of today to show the materials of yesterday.I like using materials as they are, not to hide them or transform them but show them as they are. natural wood beams or exposed cement slab will bring instant character and soul to the space
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
ML: I feel creative talking about design, explaining a first thought that leads to another one and so one. Team work is essential to connect all creativities to exponential solutions and options.
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
ML: After the primary function, i focus on the perspectives. Every angle should be interesting and finished. It is for me essential that thought the layout, you keep discovering places to rest, look, think, appreciate.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
ML: I feel very enthusiast of all the possibilities and impatiente do go more and more into details until i see the project alive. I love designing and creating projects, place to work, to meet, to play, to live.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
ML: Hopefully satisfied and rested after an exciting design process.
FS: What makes a design successful?
ML: if it makes people happy.
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
ML: I think a good design would please the eye and then makes you think and makes you want to look at it more. A bad design would be more questionable. what if this was more like this or like that?
FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
ML: As a general rule I believe all designer have the responsibility to present a design to the public that keeps all functions under the strict rules of environmental awareness, quality and safety.And creativity and uniqueness should be the only challenge for each designers
FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
ML: I think the new technologies are making the design evolving, when soon, everything would be wireless and we could design residential houses without any wall electrical sockets, and simplify again and again.
FS: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
ML: Last exhibition was at Interior Design Exhibition in 2012 - Dubai for the award of Majlis design with our concept " Al Tawash ". I will be part of Interior design Exhibition 2014 as nominated for the award of Interior design of the year for middle east 2014
FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
ML: I am always inspired by a perspective. Ocean, desert, endless corridor, windows, this could take me anywhere.From there, i believe in team work to make is realistic...or not.
FS: 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?
ML: my style would be simple? it sounds easy, but the challenge of keeping it this way is what made me explore more about it. My approach to architecture is that it should be beautiful, should be sure, should be simple and should be safe. Fashion is irrelevant, the search of talent and functionality is adamant.
FS: 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?
ML: I lived in Dubai for more than 13 years. we have more than 200 nationalities living and working together.This is a complex and sometimes superficial atmosphere where people pass by. Simple and minimalist is still not trendy here. However, the melting pot in Dubai is so unique and rich, all cultures are blending together everyday and this gives a fantastic platform to create without any boundaries.
FS: How do you work with companies?
ML: We usually have private clients and work with companies to built our projects. I have established though years and different projects a strong relationship with companies we work with. We work as a team.
FS: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
ML: I believe a designer should be the creative part and sometimes try to forget the technical part to keep an unlimited creativity. Designers should be the challenging part for companies (if not the client)
FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
ML: I always start by just being enthusiast and think in every direction. Usually, a small detail will become amusing, interesting, new, challenging, and i will create around this..remain essential:1) to establishing the program with the client2) sketches and perspectives3) construction plans
FS: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
ML: - a table lamp- the other table lamp- the cat toy , the only small " decorative item" in the house- the coffee machine- the designed pile of books
FS: Can you describe a day in your life?
ML: it is quiet difficult to describe as they are quiet full on! My day goes in every direction, from meetings with clients, to discussion with technical team, few coffee breaks that are more brainstorming sessions where crazy ideas come from, and when i stop...i enjoy family time.
FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
ML: to try not to loose their creativity with experience. Sometimes, a silly idea that seems impossible to realise becomes a challenge for a team and turns into a very unique design. Also not to bend in following the trend, but to create the new trend.
FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
ML: positive: challenging, fulfilling. You can get involved in any design and constantly grow.negative: it is without any doubt hard work to turn a design to reality. You have to love being a designer and enjoy it every day!
FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
ML: architecture should be sure. keep it simple.
FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
ML: to be good with people. to understand their need and to be able to translate in your sketches and final design.
FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
ML: 3 pencils, any color, and my moleskin.
FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
ML: an early start!
FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
ML: i would say it never ends until the client takes it from you
FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
ML: what do you think of this?
FS: What was your most important job experience?
ML: the design of a private island.
FS: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
ML: residential design is a very thoughtful process. your are in charge of designing a home for your client.Commercial, retail design are fun. You are designing to entertain the users.
FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
ML: continue, learn more, grow.
FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
ML: team work is essential
FS: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
ML: we are currently working on a villa in Center of Dubai. A very contemporary approach for this renovation work. The existing villa has been abandoned with design s lines from the 90s.. we are refreshing every part of it.
FS: How can people contact you?
ML: www.marielaurent.com
FS: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
ML: no
FS: Thank you for providing us with this opportunity to interview you.
A’ Design Award and Competitions grants rights to press members and bloggers to use parts of this interview. This interview is provided as it is; DesignPRWire and A' Design Award and Competitions cannot be held responsible for the answers given by participating designers.
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