Interview with Daniel Devadder

Nothing really motivates me, the process goes fluently. It's more about doing what I like and what I'm relatively good at.

I never thought I would become a designer. I used to play football when I was younger and I really wanted to go pro. During that same period I studied economics, but I didn't want to pursue a career in that field. I wanted to do something more creative and thus I studied Interior Design. Afterwards I added a master in Interior Architecture.

I mostly design interiors, private and public spaces. Some projects contain the design of furniture as well. Sometimes I get the opportunity to conceptualise complete houses and buildings.

Don't be like me, be yourself, think for yourself, be your own critic, never settle for average and strive for absolute perfection, knowing you will never reach it.

Don't follow the crowd, dare to think for yourself.

Zaha Hadid, Oscar Niemeyer, Calatrava, Renzo Piano, Vincent Van Duysen, Tadao Ando

I probably would have pursued a career in economics.

My biggest supporters must be my mother, grandmother and sister. The love, courage and significance I get from them is unparalleled, they are the ones I want to make the most proud of me.

I would consider myself a great designer. The way I became who I am today is mainly because I didn't follow what others did. I always dare to think for myself and I am always my harshest critic.

The same way they envisioned it in their mind during design.

I don't think about the future since it's not in my control. I focus on the development of myself while I'm here, in the present moment. Everything that comes out of that should be worthwhile.

Design an icon, something that withstands the test of time and is recognized as great design for ages.

People in general want to be entertained. As we see daily, by the likes of social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, people want something new and fast for a dopamine hit rather than something of real value. As a designer you are faced with the choice to entertain people and follow trends or to make something for yourself, be and remain your own identity and hope that it will be appreciated by a wider audience.

I look forward to making certain designs public and being able to offer them to the world through a production house.

My personal design "Grace". As the name says, it is the design that graced my life and set in motion everything that happens in the present and awaits me in the future.

Not sure, I hope it won't go too digital with the rise of AI.

It goes both ways. Sometimes design responds to the needs of people/society. Sometimes design will push or lead people/society in a certain direction.

"Why didn't I think about that"

I'm not good at co-working, I used to hate it at school. I believe more in the power of sharing ideas and thoughts that you can build on.

I do read a lot of self development books, books on human nature and stoicism.
No idea whether or not these affect my design

My belated father.

I wouldn't call myself famous at all. I see the awards as confirmation of what I already consider good design.

Navy, by the sea, kiwi, summer, Ralph Lauren

When I was younger I loved to visit places and see things because I have always been very curious and interested. All of that has evolved into the person I am today.

I would describe my design studio as the bridge between my thoughts and the world as we know it.

Design to me means bringing a vision to life. Most obvious people think of objects, but I also place elements such as the formation of personality and success or failure under design.

I like to create furniture that is free of any standards. Free shapes and forms, yet useable.

The design of Grace. That came from very deep.

An enormous, round, vortex-like table for a hairdressing salon.

I'm really into 3D printing with all its possibilities. I believe it will be a big part of our future.

When I'm out for a walk or a run.

I mainly focus on the proportions and appearance of the design, which often results in sculptural designs that add value to the place where they are used, both during and outside use.

When I'm in the zone, I feel anything but human. My thoughts are taking over and my body just isn't there anymore. It's between me, a vision, a thought, a design and the search for perfection.

Emptiness. I feel more during the creation of the design, when I'm thinking and creating. Once that's over, I "come back to reality" and, well, reality isn't that exciting to me, it just is.

If it fulfills the wishes of its client or consumer.

If it can be properly used and if it's original.

As a designer you have the opportunity to mold society in a certain direction. It is therefore up to us to do this carefully and thoughtfully.
On the other hand, a designer often also follows trends, so the reasoning would be the other way around.

I think it will evolve in something rather mainstream than exciting. Everything is becoming "efficient" and thus boring, with a lack of soul. Look at the car industrie for example.

I never had one. It never really came in mind to hold one, not for know.

Nature is my biggest inspiration for its complex yet elegant forms. Besides nature I like to stroll through the streets and really have a deep look at the buildings, questioning how they were build and what materials and techniques were used.

I would say my design style is organic. I’m not a big fan of cuts and corners or adding and putting things together. I prefer to keep a fluid, continuous line through my designs.

I recently moved to Antwerp, Belgium. I consider myself lucky to live in a prosperous country where I was never short of anything, surrounded with al sorts of luxury and modern day technology, so ofcourse my country has an influence on what and how I design. In addition to Belgium, my Congolese roots play a major role as well. I grew up with its culture and everything that comes with it; from the music and clothes to the food, the love and the educational whack from time to time.

Never had the opportunity to do so. I'd like to change that in the near future.

Have a talk with the designer, get to know the person and what he/she's all about.

All the objects we see around us are thoughts or ideas which have come into materialization through the creative work of some human being. So of course, everything starts with a thought, a vision. Translating that vision into something we can grasb and comprehend is the most difficult part, that's where I put most time and effort in through sketches, plans, 3D's,... always thinking as little as possible about what is possible or not in terms of production so as not to limit myself. Once I get to a design that strikes the right balance between the initial vision and real-world usability, I see what the best option is in terms of production. Luckily for me, just about anything is possible these days.

Soriana Lounge chairs by Afra and Tobia Scarpa
The Chiara Floor Lamp by Mario Bellini
A two-toned carpet by Nordic Knots
The platner dining table by Warren Platner
the iMac (2019) by Apple, I have never seen any computer that elegant

An average day in my life would consist of some form of exercise, reading, working in an office as a day job, making sure I am in contact with family either through a message or a phone call as I do not live near anyone whom I consider family.

"As you sow, so shall you reap."

What I like most about being a designer is being able to share my visions with the world. The negative is that these views are not always appreciated by everyone and thus give you a sense of failure. But you should only learn from criticism, don't let it put you down. Always fail forward.

Know what you are doing, immerse yourself in it. Leave nothing to chance.

The capability to observe and listen. If you can do that, creating something that will actually serve someone becomes easier.

My senses will always be my first tools. Using my eyes, hands, ears and nose to grasp things. Then I usually go from a really wild sketch straight to the computer to capture something digitally.

I don't. When I'm in the zone, time becomes irrelevant.

From first sketch to final product maybe 2 years.

"So you decorate houses?" must be the most frequently asked one for me. Which at the same time probably is the most hated by me.

Maybe not the most important but definitely the most impressive one was when I was lucky enough to assist during the design of a private home in an exclusive place.

Especially private clients.

Holiday homes, because they give you more leeway as a designer. Most people want a wow factor for such places, something to suit their perfect holiday.

I don't really think about the future. Of course I have visions and ambitions, but I don't get lost in them.

I work by myself, I like it that way.

I'm a man of mystery.

By email: daniel@danieldevadder.com

That will be it.