Interview with Adam Szczyrba
A graduate student at the Academy of Fine Arts in Katowice (Poland) in Design, specializing in the design of industrial forms. From November 2018, he runs his own MAO.ceramika ceramic workshop.
Designer Interview
29 April 2019
I have not always wanted to be a designer, but my childhood dreams were not too far from what I am doing now. For as long as I can remember, I dreamed of becoming an architect. I drew houses, constructed mock-ups of entire cities from what I had at hand. I was one of the few boys who preferred to build and draw than watch a football game. These plans and dreams have been unchanged for many years. It was only a year before the university exams that I began to think about it. Ultimately, I decided that I want to study industrial design. Subconsciously, I felt that this is what I want. The funny thing is that it was very subconscious because then my knowledge about design was negligible. I do not have any architects, artists, designers or anyone who would have any professional contact with the design, that's why the design was something completely strange to me. For me, it was one big leap into the unknown, but I took a chance and now I am very happy about it. I have friends who have been interested in design since high school and even designed something for themselves. It was only during my studies that I started to get to know what design is. I must admit I loved it.
The project was created under the supervision of Professor Agata Chmielarz in the Product Design Studio at the Academy of Fine Arts in Katowice. The Academy of Fine Arts in Katowice is a public university educating in the field of visual arts and design. It combines art and design, theory and practice, thinking and acting, research and education.
What I like the most are challenges that require a novel solution. I pay a lot of attention to the functional and technological aspects. I like unusual, niche topics.
I am the most creative when the subject of the project fascinates me. I must feel that what I do makes sense, and the project will in some way contribute to the improvement of the quality of life, comfort of work, safety or burdening the environment. I try to think not only about the individual but also about his environment and society. In addition, good coffee, a large desk, a supply of pencils and brilliant music are welcome. Good coffee works wonders.
Usually, I focus the most on the function of the project and the entire use process. I attach great importance to technological and material issues. All the time I think about the project to be accessible, understandable and safe for the user. In designing, I show great empathy and I want to create projects that have a real impact on improving the quality of life of the recipient. I create products not only aesthetic but also solving everyday problems of each of us.
The excitement and a sense of accomplishment.
I feel happiness, contentment and pride then.
I think that the 21st century will be a century of the economy based on design. But it seems to me that it will be a design that is completely different from the one we currently know. Designing will strongly develop in the direction of process design and to a much greater extent, we will use algorithms and computing and analytical skills of computers. It's worth taking a look at the current possibilities of generative design.I do not know, but perhaps in the face of the rapidly growing technology and computing power of computers and their analytical skills, the role of the designer will be based mainly on empathy.I think that the future of design is also the use of living organisms or organic matter. We can already notice the big development of biomaterials and projects where living organisms participate in creation. What is incredibly inspiring is what an Israeli architect, designer and professor Neri Oxman is doing.Like her, I think that science, engineering, design and art should be combined with the production of another.
Do it honestly and reliable.
The skill to ask the right questions.
It depends. Sometimes it takes several weeks and sometimes several years. There are many things that affect it.
I'm working on something big. I can not say more.
e-mail: szczyrba.design@gmail.com