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Interview with Veronica Jibodh |
Home > Designer Interviews > Veronica Jibodh |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer Veronica Jibodh (VJ) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of Veronica Jibodh 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?
VJ: I didn't attend any design schools, but it appears that I have creativity in my DNA. I never knew how creative I was until I designed my first multifunctional POUCHI fanny pack. I never thought that my professionalism would be in design. But here I am, designing all kinds of fashion items for my brand and I have to tell you: "I LOVE IT". It's the part I enjoy the most of my whole entrepreneurial life.
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
VJ: POUCHI was officially founded in 2012. Our office is located in Amsterdam and employed by me and two interns at the moment. We are planning to open our first flagship store in the centre of Amsterdam.
FS: What is "design" for you?
VJ: In my vision "design" is "art" and "perfection" combined in one.
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
VJ: I don't have a specific category yet, because I am all over challenging myself to make something beautiful on which topic comes in my head. I started with bags, so these are my easiest to design because I know the process from inside and out now.
FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
VJ: My most favorite design is my first design. It is a multifunctional fanny pack, which you can wear as a shoulder bag, cross body, wallet, or pouch. The chain of the bag is completely removable and can also be worn as belt or a necklace. It's made of high quality leather, embossed with a croco print.
FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
VJ: A multifunctional fanny pack to be worn as a shoulder bag, cross body, wallet, or pouch. The chain of the bag is completely removable and can also be worn as belt or a necklace.
FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
VJ: Leather, all kinds of leather!
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
VJ: I don't have a specific time... It's mostly when I am most motivated. It can be by a motivational conversation I have, or an idea I have that I want to create for my brand.
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
VJ: Quality and Perfection... The first thing I am looking at are the stitches.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
VJ: Excitement.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
VJ: Excitement and Happiness.
FS: What makes a design successful?
VJ: Quality, Perfection and the must have feeling of my customers.
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
VJ: The stitching part and the functionality of the design.
FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
VJ: Well, it's not only about designers but we people should all take care of our society and environment by taking care and being responsible for our own deeds. Be good, do good.
FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
VJ: I think we are going back to the 50's with some enhancements here and there... It's a cycle.
FS: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
VJ: In 2013 I had an event showcasing my collection but never really had an international exhibition. My very first international exhibition will be in 2018.
FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
VJ: My inspiration comes from motivation and my motivation comes from my own needs and lifestyle. I am a sucker for beauty and perfection and when I see beautiful quality materials I just want to make something perfect out of it.
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?
VJ: Timeless.
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?
VJ: I live in Amsterdam.
FS: How do you work with companies?
VJ: What do you mean? What companies? I work with manufacturers to make my designs, and with partner stores to sell my designs.
FS: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
VJ: Ask to see some of his or her work and trust your gut feeling.
FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
VJ: First step: I know what I want. Second: I have the materials in my head. Third: I start sketching. Fourth: I sent my sketches to the manufacturer. Fifth: We discuss. Sometimes I have to travel to the Manufacturer and sometimes it get all worked out by whatsapp. Sixth: I choose materials. Seventh: A sample is being made. Eight: I control the samples and if it need to be improved, I sent it back or they just make a new one. I go on until it's perfect. Ninth: At last, but not least, I start the production part. Tenth: Quality control before we start selling. And be we I mean, my team and I.
FS: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
VJ: My first collection, My kitchen, A jacket from Saint Laurent, A necklace with a pendant and earrings in the same style my grandmother gave me before she passed away, A wooden statue of a woman I once bought in Suriname.
FS: Can you describe a day in your life?
VJ: Hectic! Everyday is different. In the mornings I am a little slow, so I start at the office at 10 AM. Sometimes I have meetings out of the office, in this case I come in a little later. At this moment I have two interns. We are working on fine-tuning our website, marketing strategies, social media, and other boring office stuff. In between I also plan meetings... sometimes with bloggers, with other designers or who-ever is in need of that moment. In between I also communicate via whatsapp with the manufacturers to get our production or samples right. When we have our newest production we send them out for product photography or stills. Then we try to get in touch with retailers to show case our products. After 7 I go home to have dinner, or at a restaurant with friends. I often think that those restaurant dates would get me to relax but I have a couple of entrepreneurial friends so we keep talking about work.. It is relaxing in some kind of way but also not. At home, while having dinner, I always watch a movie or serie.. and then finally try to relax. I take a shower, brush me teeth, go to bed, sometimes with my laptop trying to do some last to-do's, after that I scroll on Instagram till I fall asleep. Designing I do in between.
FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
VJ: Maybe it's cliche but: Don't give up on your dreams. Do is with passion and you will see that something beautiful will come out of it.
FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
VJ: If you are a perfectionist like I am, it can be very irritating... On one hand it's a good thing because you will do everything to make a perfect product, but on the other hand 1 design can take too long before it's finished. The same with everything else... sometimes we (designers) have to be less critical because it only slows us down.
FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
VJ: Do it with passion, use nice fabrics, try not to copy.
FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
VJ: A creative mind and the will to do it.
FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
VJ: A pen and paper and my head ;-)
FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
VJ: When I want to design something, I take how long I need. Mostly I work at home on my designs because I don't want to be disturbed. I take my time and get relaxed by it.
FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
VJ: A couple of months, 2 to 4 months mostly, from sketching, meetings, materials, samples, final product.
FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
VJ: "How did you become a designer?" or "How did you came up with the idea to start your own brand or company?"
FS: What was your most important job experience?
VJ: My first collection from the beginning till the end and what to do after your designs are ready, how to set a retail price and how to market and sell.
FS: Who are some of your clients?
VJ: At the moment: Women between 25 and 60, in love with the uniqueness of the POUCHI touch. Women of all sorts, from entrepreneurs to rich housewives to hairdressers to lawyers. Also retailers with who sells Elisabetta Franchi, Kenzo, Hugo Boss, Gucci and other high end brands.
FS: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
VJ: Bags, because I started my company with these and I have learnt all the materials. For me it is easy.
FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
VJ: I would like to POUCHI expand with more products such as matching shoes, perfume, watches, other accessories and clothing. Beside POUCHI I have a new label idea (the name has already been registered), for the mid segment.
FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
VJ: At the moment I develop the designs myself. Since february 2017 I have two interns who are giving their input.
FS: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
VJ: Yes, except for the new bags, a shoe collection, a parfume line and a t-shirt line.
FS: How can people contact you?
VJ: Via email: veronica@pouchi.com Via socialmedia: @pouchiofficial @pouchimoments @veronicajibodh @veronicajibodhofficial
FS: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
VJ: No, except for that I hope you enjoyed this interview ;-)
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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