Design Feast Series: Designer’s Quest(ionnaire)

César Campa

Graphic Designer and Founder of Campa Design

Primary design concentration:

Identity Design

Most preferred tool for designing:

Various ideas, pencil and paper.

1. How and why did you choose to become a designer?

I’ve been attuned to my life’s surrounding ‘details’ since I was very young. such as noticing the colors in my room, the conversations my parents used to have, places I used to visit, the way a song would start and how it would finish, nature itself, the zoo, textures of things, the taste and smells of food, how my toys functioned, cartoons on the TV. Now I’ve come to the conclusion that these and many more things that I haven’t mentioned, have order and a reason for being or existing. How did these things come about? Who makes these things work or what makes them work? What do they mean?

I began drawing since I was 5 years old and always had the easiness to express my ideas on paper in a very orderly fashion. I’d look around and my creations would resemble things that were out there (graphically speaking) and that would excite me and give me the confidence to continue exploring design throughout my coming of age.

2. Challenges you encounter as a designer and how do you deal with them?

Challenges to me (like it or not) can be the direction of the medium designers choose to use, such as web design, the use of programs, languages, programming, etc. I deal with it by becoming aware and informed of the direction the industry is going towards and then decide to emerge myself or not. Design skills will always be within the designer’s mind regardless what medium is being used.

3. Your definition of an “elegant solution,” that is, good design?

Fulfilling one answer: Did the design reach its objective? Did it communicate or inform the message? The rest is bells and whistles.

4. From skills to values, what makes a designer successful?

Good listener, good communication with the client, objective, disciplined and always execute the project as if you were getting paid a million dollars for it.

5. How do you stay motivated and grow personally and professionally as a designer?

Many ways to stay motivated. It’s a state of mind I guess. I stay motivated by reminding myself the rewarding sensation of successfully delivering the final product to the client. Another motivation is sharing my final work with my wife and son. And last but not least, just plainly survival ... putting food on the table for my family.

6. For those aspiring to become a designer, whatever the discipline,what is your advice?

Don’t follow trends. They come and go. Follow your instinct regardless of all the design rules that do exist; take some and leave some. Experiment and explore the ‘idea’ as much as you can at school and after school. Be confident of your actions and of your final delivery (to your instructor or client).

7. What is your quest in design?

To evolve into a seasoned designer, to be involved in meaningful projects that coincide with my points of views (socially and politically) and that my work can withstand the test of time and trends ... longevity.

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