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Interview with Mimaya Dale |
Home > Designer Interviews > Mimaya Dale |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer Mimaya Dale (MD) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of Mimaya Dale 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?
MD: I am a self taught designer. Initially I entered into the jewelry industry by training to be a gold smith. I believed I was born to be a designer and that is what my family tells me as well. I feel like there was an invisible force that pulled me to take this path. However, my key person who convinced me to become a jewelry designer is my mother.
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
MD: My company, MIMIDALE DESIGNS is located in beautiful British Columbia, Canada. My designs are inspired by Japanese art and culture, which are mixed with Western elements. I design mostly on a sketch book and my computer in my studio. I have a jewelry bench and many other tools, Sometimes I sit on my bench and finish jewelry pieces, other times with intricate pieces I pass them to jewelry maestro.
FS: What is "design" for you?
MD: For me, design is based on my personal life experiences brought to life from inspirations.
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
MD: Anything that excites me! I like working with clients because it allows me to create something that is totally unique.
FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
MD: Any designs that have Japanese influences are my favorite things to design.
FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
MD: A cocktail ring.
FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
MD: Yellow gold and Gemstones are my favorite materials. My design platform is Matrix 9.0.
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
MD: Just before going to sleep I tend to be most creative for some reason! So I have my sketch book on my bed side table.
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
MD: When I have a design in mind, I focus on the detail to get everything precise, including the perfect measurements and shape.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
MD: Joy, Happiness and pride, sometimes frustration!
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
MD: Over the moon. Ecstatic! Pure joy!
FS: What makes a design successful?
MD: A successful design can make a social movement and can touch other's hearts, and to me that is a successful design.
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
MD: Overall appearance, function, and quality.
FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
MD: This is a very important and serious issue that we are facing. We are leaving too many environmental footsteps on this beautiful planet. As a responsible citizen I am focused on designing and creating jewelry that will last for generations. Quality over quantity is my goal, and I aim to create jewelry pieces that do not end up in the landfill.
FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
MD: Mixing elements, mixing cultures, mixing ideas are all important for the future of designs. Also the future of designs need to have multi purpose functions.
FS: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
MD: I would love to hold my first exhibition in beautiful Italy.
FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
MD: Inspiration comes from everywhere, all I need to do is to be open minded and to have wide perspectives. Do some exercises regularly because that is a key to a healthy mental state. Feeling grateful for what I have and being happy are very important sources of my inspirations.
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?
MD: My style of design is a collaboration between Japanese and Western elements. I realized it is who I am and I am expressing my emotions and knowledge through my jewelry. Designing meaningful jewelry is my goal.
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?
MD: I live in beautiful British Columbia, Canada. And yes I do feel that my cultural heritage affects my designs. Pros of living in Canada for my designing, is it is super relaxing to be here so I feel free to express my designs. Since my designs are strongly influenced by the Japanese culture and arts it is frustrating sometimes not to be able to visit and see historical monuments, buildings, and traditional plays in Japan and that must be the cons of living in Canada.
FS: How do you work with companies?
MD: First I need to study the company history and motto's. When I work with companies I need to know that we are a team and need to be on the same page. Communication plays a big role and understanding their needs is a must.
FS: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
MD: Before working with a designer, a company they must know if the person is worldly, open minded and have a vision.
FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
MD: I first rough sketch it on paper, then transfer the idea on to the computer. Draw it in CAD software and then print it with a 3D printer. If it looks good it goes thorough to production.
FS: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
MD: CAD software, a sketch book, Gemstones, Japanese art books, and a Caliper.
FS: Can you describe a day in your life?
MD: I wake up, I drink tea, I turn my computer on, I check my email, I do general housewife and mother duties, I design whenever I can, I work in my studio.
FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
MD: Believe in yourself. One does not dream if the goal is unreachable. Set your goal, keep steering towards it.
FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
MD: Being an designer can be lonely. Because we need to improve and produce designs that are forever improving. We are not competing with others but competing with ourselves.
FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
MD: Not to copy others is my golden rule in designs. The moment you copy someone else's work you become a thief, and not a designer.
FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
MD: Multitasking, to be open minded, Seeing possibilities that many people do not see.
FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
MD: My two most important tools to use are my caliper and computer software as most of my designs are done on my computer.
FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
MD: Little by little, but it is important to start projects in advance.
FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
MD: Depends, sometimes few days to few months. I am a perfectionist so it really depends on the project.
FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
MD: "When do you find time to design?" , or "Where did you get your creativity from?"
FS: What was your most important job experience?
MD: To make a client/customer happy is the most important and enjoyable experience that I gained over time.
FS: Who are some of your clients?
MD: People who like my original style of jewelry and appreciate high quality art pieces. Although my clients vary in their professions they tend to have very open minded views and are established in their fields.
FS: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
MD: Japanese and Western collaboration is my favorite because it is a big part of me.
FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
MD: I keep moving forward. My next plan is branching out and designing in different areas.
FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
MD: I design by myself.
FS: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
MD: Not right at this moment.
FS: How can people contact you?
MD: mimidaledesigns@gmail.com. Cell+1 604 928 6227 mimidaledesigns.com
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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