Interview with Joshua Ribbeck
Stark Form designs and builds luxury furniture with a combination of handmade craftsmanship, distinctive surfacing and sleek proportions, built from the finest woods.
Designer of the Day Interview
3 April 2018
I’ve been in graphic design for roughly 18 years and started in the early 2000s getting into graphic design. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to work with clients around the world, but it has taken many years to build up a quality portfolio.
I don’t think I had the intention of being a designer. I come from a technology background working with IT and technology since I was young. My best friend from kindergarten to college was a great comic book style artist who tried teaching me how to draw, which didn’t work out well. But it taught me the design basics for traditional art. In the early 2000 when I was in college and websites were just coming along, I had a client ask if I could design them one. So I said sure thing, and went home and started teaching myself graphic design and website development, and that led to graphic design and product design.
When starting projects I like to execute on a few goals. Designing something that is aesthetic, functional and of good quality is first. I want to make sure the design quality is excellent if my name is behind it. My technique changes depending on the kind of project I am working on typically. So I don’t stay with one in particular, and use a variety of tools to achieve the goal. Most of my product design work is done directly in 3D and Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign for graphic design. I find it easier to design concepts that way vs. paper. But I still do rough idea sketching on paper occasionally.
I really enjoy the design phase, and coming up with various concepts. This helps me get all the ideas out my head and then fine tune what the final concept will be. It’s a great feeling to realize the final project after many hours of work and have my clients happy with the design.
From a young age I was always tinkering with building things. So I think understanding how products are made is a good thing to know. When you have an understanding of the build process, it will help shape your design methodology. Because I have no formal degree in design, I had to learn everything myself and much was done working on new projects clients would suggest. Having a wide mix of different graphic and product design projects in my background has brought me to where I am today.
I don’t follow a particular growth path except to improve anywhere I can over time. My future plans are to continue expanding my furniture and pen designs, while working on my other companies. Working on your own companies is a dream project every day!
Do not be afraid of failure and spend as much time as possible practicing your skills and working on projects. Try new things to find out what you enjoy most. You get out, what you put in…. and that’s the truth!
To stay true to your design instincts, but always be willing to try new styles and concepts, and pay attention to the details.
It’s usually busy. Since I run multiple companies, I am always moving around keeping up on job progress, while balancing time to design new things. Since my background is in technology, I have custom built our project management software to make things very efficient, which allows me to juggle more projects.
To what extent do design trends matter? I don’t follow to many trends honestly. I design what I think will look nice. I always just keep an eye out for the best designers and awards, to see what is winning and what other designers are producing that is of award winning quality.
That’s tough, because I’m always thinking my designs can be better and how to improve them, so it’s a balance I’d say. Usually once I have gone through 3 – 50 iterations of a design, then I’ll know when I am getting close to ready.
Designing all my different pens are definitely the biggest in terms of labor and craft. There are so many parts and details involved in the design and construction. But seeing them in the hands of famous people, definitely makes it worth it.
I like so many designers that it would be impossible to name any one that is my favorite.
Here in Louisiana we have a very southern culture which clashes with my design style. There is not much design influence I get from where I live, so I have always looked around the world to get inspiration. Currently life is busy with multiple large personal projects I am working on. The Fellowship for Animals shelter, a potential award winning cookbook, luxury pens and furniture are just a few of the current projects that I have going.
My friends would say I am tough but fair to work for. I do the majority of my design work solo, even though I have employees, but they work in technical areas. But I believe in treating your employees and clients with respect, because after all, it’s a two way street. Without a good working synergy with your employees and clients, you will never achieve the best when working together. So I believe you have to find the right people that care about what they do, but also have an independent drive so you can help foster their creativity, and not hinder it.
For the past few years I have been designing the worlds most advanced animal shelter. This will set the bar for generations on how to design and build a sustainable animal shelter that uses technology to help solve the problems and costs of running a shelter.
I think some of the great things about the A’Design award is getting to put your work against the best. To see if you possess the skills you think you do. If you are fortunate and win, the exposure is definitely a plus in getting more people aware of your designs. Being design of the day is a great honor, and it’s a satisfying feeling knowing that other prominent and accomplished designers appreciate your skills.
Design Legend Interview
29 December 2024
My background in design is entirely self-taught. Without a formal degree, I’ve built my expertise through countless hours of practice, real-world projects, and continuous learning. I grew up in a family of contractors and architects, and my best friend who was a comic book artist would try and teach me how to draw. So I have always been around different styles of art and design which gave me the basics.
Creating unique designs that make the intended audience feel good about what they see. I became a designer in 2003 when a client asked if I could design a website. So that got me started into the design field of advertising and products and it steadily grew from there as I produced work that all my clients appreciated.
I was forced based on wanting to expand my services. I did not have any intention of becoming a designer in the beginning. I was a technical expert in the information technology field.
I design a wide range of items. Graphics for advertising, Visual Effects and 3D, Packaging, Furniture, Pens, Retail Products, Websites, and software GUIs. I enjoy everything I design and will keep designing everything listed!
Practice. There is no substitute. But another thing that I did when I started was looking at awards and all the top designers and trying to emulate them. Model yourself after the best.
Attention to detail is what separates the two, and your ability to think creatively and design that pleases a wide audience.
Attention to detail and how it resonates with larger audiences.
Good design is an investment that creates lasting value by enhancing functionality, user experience, and emotional connection. It differentiates you from competitors, communicates your values, and drives better business outcomes, all while saving time and money in the long run.
I enjoy designing furniture, pens, graphics and packaging. I design for my myself and my clients.
Designing and building the most advanced animal shelter on earth, called Fellowship for Animals.
My secret ingredient is a blend of curiosity, forward thinking, and a relentless focus on creating designs that truly resonate with people.
I honestly don't have any specific person. I just look at everything design from all areas and absorb things I like.
One of my favorite designers is Jack Storms and how he makes dichroic glass sculptures that are amazing!
I have many designs I think are great. But the Mukava coffee table is one of my favorites. The balance of wood, glass and brass combined with a modern style is perfect to me.
Spend as much time practicing and exploring your style to the fullest. I also tried to expand my skills with new designs and areas that could compliment each other.
I would be an electrical engineer.
Design is the art of solving problems and telling stories through visual and functional solutions. For me, it’s about creating experiences that connect emotionally while serving a clear purpose. Design is where creativity meets strategy to shape how people perceive and interact with the world.
I was my biggest supporter. I did everything on my own.
Practice and exploring what the best designs and designers were.
The cost of building things and buying the equipment.
In the best way possible that pleases your client and public that views it.
Building the most advanced animal shelter on earth, Fellowship for Animals. I will continue to design furniture, pens and many other things. I don't limit myself.
To please my clients and the public who views my work.
Top quality work.
Design helps create a better society by addressing real-world challenges with innovative and inclusive solutions. It improves accessibility, enhances quality of life, and fosters connection by creating products, spaces, and systems that serve diverse needs. Good design can inspire change, promote sustainability, and bring people together, shaping a world that is not only functional but also meaningful and equitable.
Fellowship for Animals which is the most advanced animal shelter on earth. Also designing IsoPets which is a brand extension of the shelter.
All of them! I love designing everything I can.
Not much. It's very easy to get started in design and free resources are everywhere. Costs to produce items are cheaper than ever with things like 3d printing, etc.
More things in virtual and augmented reality as the technology improves.
It can take from a few hours to many months. All depends on what I am designing.
I browse the internet and look at every design out there, so I can see what exists and how can I design something unique that is different.
Produce quality and don't half-ass your work!
It's a mixture of both.
Technology makes it easy to produce concepts and create prototypes which saves time and money.
3ds Max, Photoshop, Illustrator, Revit.
Color, materials, and ambiance are essential in design for creating mood, functionality, and sensory experiences. Color evokes emotions and sets the tone, materials add texture and practicality, and ambiance ties everything together to shape the atmosphere. Together, they transform designs into immersive and memorable experiences.
I wish for them to appreciate my designs.
Excitement to see new concepts and art!
I have always designed by myself, but sometimes doing collaborations can produce some amazing things! I think there is nothing wrong with co-design if you work well with the other person.
My clients.
I don't read books. I learned everything on YouTube.
By watching videos and then applying what I learned.
I would like to meet many designers and skilled artists. There are so many that would be interesting to talk with.
I love winning because it validates my skillset and all the time I spend investing in my designs.
Green, The beach, Mexican food, Summer, computer, don't have a favorite brand.
My brain motivates me. I am always thinking of new ideas and how to implement those ideas into reality. I enjoy the challenges and then finding solutions!
No, I was working with electronics as a kid.
We will be living in space in a thousand years, and hopefully earth is still habitable.
I love design, and I hope people love what I create!
Designer Interview
18 October 2016
I do not have a formal design background. I started as a child playing with electronics and eventually got into computers. Growing up, my friend was a great comic book style artist who would try and teach me to draw, but it never stuck and my family was in the construction and architecture business which exposed me to lots of different design. In early 2000 my clients started asking if I could make websites, so I started practicing graphic design heavily to fulfill that need, and that’s where my true design background started.
As I began to master graphic design with years of practice, I expanded into 3d design and visual effects as our projects grew. So, in a way I chased design as a 20-year-old kid, to expand my services, but have always had an appreciation for hand drawing. Just was never able to do it myself. I can’t say I envisioned myself to be a designer, it was just always there around me in some way or another. But I absolutely enjoy designing everything from graphics, 3d, visual effects, furniture, consumer products or industrial.
As I began to master graphic design with years of practice, I expanded into 3d design and visual effects as our projects grew. So, in a way I chased design as a 20-year-old kid, to expand my services, but have always had an appreciation for hand drawing. Just was never able to do it myself. I can’t say I envisioned myself to be a designer, it was just always there around me in some way or another. But I absolutely enjoy designing everything from graphics, 3d, visual effects, furniture, consumer products or industrial.
Although I run a few companies, my primary is Theory Evolution started in 1998 when I was 18, and was primarily an IT firm that specialized in networking, systems integration and software. As I started to branch out into web design in 2000, the services also expanded into business consulting, advertising, visual effects, graphic design, and product design.
Over the years I have started other companies in luxury furniture, writing instruments, business software, and military hmmwv restoration.
Over the years I have started other companies in luxury furniture, writing instruments, business software, and military hmmwv restoration.
Design to me is communicating an idea or message by creating something which grabs a person’s attention and draws them in without the need for words.
Anything to do with Graphic User Interfaces, Consumer Products, and Packaging
I have multiple favorites and very hard to say. My handmade Stark Pens, and Stark Furniture lines are definitely a few.
1998. It was our first logo on a dinner table cloth…. It was horrible :)
My favorite materials are wood, metal and glass. Cocobolo is top on my wood list. I would have to say that when it comes to technology and platforms, I will try just about everything and use what works best and most efficient. With my electronics and IT background, it definitely helps.
I feel creative all the time. It’s not something I ever stop thinking about.
Looks and usability. I think you can have the best of both
I feel great!
If it’s for commercial use, then a successful design will help sell the product, or attract the consumer… spur action or emotion!
For product design I check the overall shape, proportions and look. How well everything flows together and what materials and colors where used. It needs to have a good balance of function and design.
I think designers should always be on the search for more eco friendly materials, in product design. It is important to think about the life-cycle of the product way beyond its initial use. Having this foresight is important for a designer to craft products that have less impact on the environment.
I think the design field is broadening heavily with the availability of learning materials and access to software at your fingertips. The future of design is the same as today, to convey and idea or message. But with new tools and methods always evolving, it will impact the ways in which we can design.
I have never been one to enter my design into an exhibition
My design inspiration comes from everywhere. I am always looking around at nature, science, other designers, etc. The more visual input, the more you have to work with!
My design style varies on what I am designing, and in general I like modern style design. Because I’m not good at sketching by hand I rely on 3D modeling and Photoshop to work out my ideas. I don’t have a particular approach to design, and it depends on the project.
For consumer electronics I design from the circuit board out, which is backwards in a way. When designing my furniture line, I will start with a base 3d model and just reshape it until it looks exactly how I want. Sometimes I know immediately and that idea will just hit you. But most of the time, it’s just endless tweaking until it’s just right.
For consumer electronics I design from the circuit board out, which is backwards in a way. When designing my furniture line, I will start with a base 3d model and just reshape it until it looks exactly how I want. Sometimes I know immediately and that idea will just hit you. But most of the time, it’s just endless tweaking until it’s just right.
I’m from the state of Louisiana in the U.S.
There is a lot of bad design out there. My best advice is to know what standard of design you are looking for. Look at the awards for design and see what “the best” looks like. This is a good way to have some kind of benchmark to compare against who you are hiring and most importantly knowing what good design looks like. If your standards are low, you will hire those same standards.
Don't think there is enough space for this, haha. It's very hectic!
Look at awards for inspiration. Look at the top companies. You need to set a benchmark at what is considered top design, so you develop those skills. Learn to look objectively at your work, and know if it’s good or not. Most importantly, loose the emotions! If you let your feelings get hurt because people don’t like what you design, or can’t take constructive criticism, it will hinder you in the long run.
Don’t half-ass it.
Depends on the type of design I think. Good color logic is a must no matter what.
Because I jump across so many design themes, efficiency is very important to me. Having the optimal setup allows me to accomplish a lot more than normal. Using the right software like Outlook to manage time and schedules is a must.
Depends on what I’m making. Furniture can take months when designing from scratch sometimes.
How much will it cost.
Being a business owner teaches you to look at things from many perspectives.
Over the years I have had the privilege of working with international clients in music, advertising, automotive, architecture, legal, consumer products.
GUI’s and consumer products. Graphic User Interfaces I really enjoy, because you have to design an interface that someone uses every day. It has to be intuitive enough where the user can learn it fast, and also be attractive so it draws the user in and make them want to use it.
Keep learning and practicing new skills.
I develop designs by myself most of the time. Occasionally on really large projects I’ll work with a team.
Sure! Currently we are designing and developing the Fellowship for Animals, which is the most advanced animal shelter ever conceived, and has been an absolute blast. I have a new coffee table and bookcase design I am releasing for Stark Form, and all new pen line called the “Fusion Series” for Stark Pen Company. There are a few others, but these are absolutely on top.
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