Interview with Esmail Ghadrdani

At first I liked to create what was in my mind and I started to design my own mental images. After a while, I realized that creating in the right way and in fact, the right design can make the world more beautiful, and when the design makes it more beautiful and even solves the problem, it has a special comfort and pleasure for the designer. And now, design is a part of my life.

This can vary slightly depending on the project. But in any project and in the design process, I first consider the needs of the user and the community, and even examine the examples available in the market. i analyze the way the user’s living and habits to understand some hidden needs. and then I start to come up with ideas with different techniques. This step can have a different time depending on each project. During the design process, trial and error are performed at each stage and the design flaws are eliminated and more details are given.

The design makes me feel relaxed. Because I do not think about anything else when I am designing. I think the stage of brainstorming and sketching is the most enjoyable part for me. Because I can create my own mental images and create something that does not exist.

I have been painting professionally for a long time. And this art has been with me for a while. Now I think my painting skills in the past have helped me in drawing and this can be seen in my imagination and idea generation and even hand drawing.

I am producing some of my projects in my country, but I am very excited to step into the international arena and create projects abroad. In the future, I hope I can be more involved in the design of different fields such as products, and I am currently involved in the design of new projects .

Certainly effort and determination along the way can be the most important factor for success in any field; But in design, gaining experience as well as study can help a lot to accelerate success. Constant study and practice and repetition in this field will lead to different experiences and this will be a factor in achieving success.

Innovative and creative design, paying attention to the needs of the user and the community and responding to the needs .

I spend a lot of time working during the day. Part of it has to do with idea generation and creativity and design. I spend some time reading design books and articles, as well as following design news and trying to be aware of new developments in the design world. Another large part of my work is devoted to working in the field of 3D software. Of course, I also take time for rest, exercise and fun. Sometimes doing all this work during the day becomes tedious and I may rest more that day to recover, but I will definitely work harder the next day.

I believe in personal style in design, but I definitely follow the design trends. But most of the time I try to adopt my personal style and show the feeling and concept that I have in mind in my design. I love nature inspiration and this can be seen in some of my designs.

I have to say very simply, good design is the design that makes the world better. A good design conveys the concept and purpose correctly, responds to the needs correctly and has a positive effect on both the user and the community. I use different creative tricks and take different paths to achieve the desired goal.

Each project is based on the design process and proceeds with planning and scheduling. When I feel that all the necessary considerations and needs in the design have been applied, then I can consider that design complete.

My best project was the "cubecor" project. I like this very much. I spent a lot of time designing it and it was the first project I worked on professionally. I was able to implement almost everything I wanted to do in this project. "cubecor" was the first project in which I participated in the most prestigious competitions and won many awards. I will produce this design soon.

I am very interested in the style of minimalism. A style that is beautiful yet simple. And I like minimalist style designers more .

I am from Iran . Iran is a civilized country. Iranian culture is very rich and Iran's historical cultural heritage is unique in the world. The people of Iran also consciously learn about their culture. I will definitely try to express the influence of my country's culture and civilization in my design.

I am a responsible person, and being committed and responsible is one of the most important things that I adhere to not only in design but also in my life. This can be far more important in designing and carrying out a project, and neglecting it and ignoring responsibilities and tasks can create problems in the project process.

I like design in line with humanitarian goals and I agree with it and I think a designer with a design in this field can also have a positive impact.

A’ design award was the first competition I participated in. It was very exciting for me. In my opinion, participating in competitions is very important and can be very effective in the career and progress. Participating in competitions can be a different experience for the designer, while creating a competitive atmosphere makes more effort. Competitions can help introduce a designer to the world of design, and winning competitions can accelerate progress. I thank A’ design award for creating this opportunity.

Design allows me to translate ideas, emotions, and cultural values into tangible forms. I am motivated by the challenge of solving problems while creating meaningful and lasting experiences for users. Becoming a designer felt natural to me, as I have always been interested in how objects influence human behavior, lifestyle, and emotional connection.

I consciously chose to become a designer. It was not a forced decision, but rather a gradual realization that design is the best language through which I can express my creativity, curiosity, and analytical thinking. Over time, this choice became a clear professional commitment.

I mainly design products that balance functionality, aesthetics, and conceptual depth. I am especially interested in designs that combine contemporary needs with cultural or artistic references. In the future, I would like to focus more on meaningful product systems and collectible or concept-driven designs that tell a story beyond pure function.

Young designers should focus on building a strong design mindset rather than chasing trends. Consistency, curiosity, and discipline are essential. It is important to experiment, fail, learn, and develop a personal design language. International exposure, critical thinking, and patience play a key role in long-term success.

A good designer can solve problems effectively, but a great designer can redefine the problem itself. Great designers think beyond the brief, consider long-term impact, and create designs that remain relevant over time. They design with intention, not just skill.

A really good design achieves harmony between function, form, usability, and meaning. I evaluate good design by how clearly it communicates its purpose, how intuitively it works for users, and how well it stands the test of time both aesthetically and conceptually.

Good design improves quality of life, reduces complexity, and creates emotional value. It is not a luxury, but an investment in efficiency, sustainability, and user satisfaction. Well-designed products last longer, perform better, and build stronger connections with people.

If time were not a limitation, I would design products that explore the intersection of culture, craftsmanship, and modern living. I would design for users who value thoughtful design, authenticity, and long-lasting objects rather than disposable products.

My dream project is to develop a complete design collection inspired by cultural narratives, where each product functions independently yet forms a cohesive story as a whole. It is a project that requires time, research, and freedom, and I hope to fully realize it in the near future.

My secret ingredient is consistency combined with curiosity. Continuously questioning assumptions, refining ideas, and staying committed to quality has played a major role in my success.

I am inspired by designers who combine concept, function, and timeless aesthetics. Both classic industrial designers and contemporary conceptual thinkers influence my approach.

I admire designs that appear simple yet are deeply thoughtful. I am drawn to works where every detail has a reason and nothing feels unnecessary.

One of my favorite and most meaningful designs is Cubecor. I consider it a great design because of its high level of creativity and its puzzle-based nature, which encourages focus, exploration, and imaginative thinking. The modular structure invites users to actively engage, solve, and create, rather than passively use the product. Cubecor reflects my approach to design as an interactive experience that combines functionality, creativity, and cognitive engagement.

Designers can improve by practicing regularly, studying great designs, and learning from failure. I focused on constant experimentation, feedback, and real-world projects.

I would likely have pursued a creative or problem-solving field, as the need to create and analyze has always been central to my personality.

Design is the process of turning ideas into meaningful and functional solutions. For me, it is a balance between logic, emotion, and purpose.

I have largely walked this path independently and without specific institutional support. However, the one person who truly encouraged, supported, and guided me along the way was my respected mentor, Dr. Ebrahim Bagheri. His belief in my abilities and his thoughtful guidance played an important role in helping me stay focused and confident throughout my journey.

A combination of persistence, openness to learning, and international exposure helped me grow as a designer and refine my perspective.

The main obstacles were limited resources, time constraints, and self-doubt. Overcoming them required patience, discipline, and long-term commitment.

Designers should present their work clearly and honestly, focusing on the idea, process, and value behind the design rather than only visual appeal.

My upcoming projects will continue exploring the balance between functionality, concept, and cultural narrative, with a stronger focus on meaningful product experiences.

My ultimate goal is to create designs that remain relevant over time and contribute positively to both users and the design community.

People expect thoughtful solutions, consistency in quality, and a clear design vision that goes beyond trends.

Design improves everyday life by making systems more accessible, efficient, and human-centered, ultimately shaping better interactions between people and their environment.

I am currently working on concept-driven product designs that combine modern functionality with deeper narrative and identity.

Projects that allowed creative freedom and resulted in strong user engagement have given me the most satisfaction, especially when they achieved both recognition and real-world impact.

I would like to see a stronger emphasis on originality, sustainability, and long-term value rather than short-lived trends.

The design field is moving toward more interdisciplinary, sustainable, and culturally aware solutions.

The timeline varies by project, but I prioritize thoughtful research and refinement over speed to ensure a well-resolved final outcome.

I start by understanding the problem, context, and user needs before moving into concept development and form exploration.

Design with purpose, not decoration.

Strong design sets trends, while trends often follow meaningful and well-resolved design ideas.

Technology is a tool that enables ideas, improves precision, and expands creative possibilities, but it never replaces concept or intention.

I use a combination of digital modeling, rendering, and visualization tools alongside traditional sketching and prototyping methods.

Color, materials, and environment shape perception and emotional response, turning a functional object into a complete experience.

I wish people would ask about the idea and reasoning behind the design, not just its appearance.

I immediately think about the idea behind it and how clearly the designer translated intention into form.

My ideal design partner is someone who challenges ideas and shares a strong design vision. I believe co-design can lead to richer and more thoughtful outcomes.

Designers, mentors, and creative professionals from diverse backgrounds have influenced my perspective through shared ideas and critical discussions.

Books on design thinking, art, architecture, and philosophy have had the most influence, especially those that focus on human-centered design and timeless principles.

Through continuous practice, critical self-evaluation, and learning from both success and failure across real projects and competitions.

I would like to discuss ideas with visionary designers and thinkers who reshaped how we understand form, function, and meaning.

I see awards as motivation and responsibility rather than fame. Recognition encourages higher standards, but staying focused on design remains essential.

I prefer neutral and natural tones, inspiring cultural spaces, simple well-crafted food, calm seasons, thoughtfully designed objects, and brands with strong design values.

Once, a simple sketch was mistaken for a final product, reminding me how powerful visual communication can be even at its earliest stage.

Seeing an idea evolve into a clear solution motivates me. Progress, even small steps, makes a great design day.

Looking back, my curiosity for objects, drawing, and problem-solving hinted at my future path, even if it wasn’t fully clear at the time.

Design will continue to evolve as a bridge between humans and technology, focusing more on sustainability, ethics, and coexistence.

I believe design is a continuous journey of learning and refinement. Curiosity, honesty, and purpose are at the core of my work.

This may seem simple at first glance, but I believe that good design can communicate with the user and also a good design can make the world beautiful .

I like design in different fields and this can bring different experiences for me and it is enjoyable for me. but I like design in the field of children more .

In general, design is enjoyable for me, but my specialty and favorite field is toys, and I like designing and working in the field of toys.

I remember the first time I did a stone toilet for a company.

In fact, my favorite materials are natural materials such as wood, stone, etc. I have always loved wood and I have a special interest in it .

After connecting with the subject, I enter a new challenge and new information is registered in my mind, which creates creativity in me.

Performance, productivity and beauty are important, but the most important part for me is problem solving, and problem solving is balancing these factors.

Happy and excited

The feeling of satisfaction for me after the project is realized is valuable and I feel like I did the design right.

Certainly in a good design, important factors such as the innovative combination of forms, materials, technology, etc. are involved. In my opinion, responding to the needs of the user means the success of the design .

Well, the priorities in each design can be different, for example, in one design, performance may be the most important issue, and in another design, ergonomics, or even beauty, may be the issue of interest in a design. And I try to evaluate a design based on the priority of these aspects . And most importantly, I try to look at the design from the user's point of view and see how well it meets the needs.

In my opinion, paying attention to the user's needs in design is one of the most important things. And a designer must first and foremost address these needs .In addition, attention to environmental issues can be significant.

My last exhibition was held about 17 years ago, and I exhibited works of art and paintings there. I will definitely have an exhibition of my design works in the near future.

Nature is my biggest source. In my opinion, everything exists in nature. form, beauty, etc., and nature is the greatest place where everything is created with elegance and beauty.

Creativity and thinking differently

I definitely use a pencil or pen to sketch in the early stages, and I utilize a wide range of software including 3dsmax, Rhinoceros, Substance painter, Zbrush and Photoshop.

I try to go ahead with a detailed plan and set a specific time for it, and I usually set a separate time for each stage of the design, with which I can manage my time relatively well. However, sometimes unpredictable things can happen to me in the design process, which I try to control with careful planning.

This is not a fixed time and is different for each project, depending on the design topic.

Yes, I am currently designing a toy and designing a home appliance product that I will be offering soon.

https://esmailghadrdani.com/
esmail_art@yahoo.com