Interview with Pratik S Bendale
Designer Interview
16 April 2019
I started of as a mechanical engineer in Under grads but realised that I was more of a hands on problem solver than what I got in engineering school. 'being a creative' was a huge motivation behind joining design school as it started from opening up RC cars as a kid to designing real world innovative products in my career.
I currently work at APEX tool Group design studio in CHarlotte, USA. We design Hand tools and power tools and manufacture them in USA china and Germany. The team is filled with highly experienced designers.
Design to me is creating something for a purpose. The purpose can be solving a problem to just a decorative piece in your home. Its about the process of why you create and what you create.
I like working on physical products, it can be a shoe to a complex machine.
A welding machine
keyshot is a fun tool I enjoy, as it is in the final stages of the project where you get to do the cool stuff.
Always...........after having my morning tea though.
Solving the problem the project is meant to solve.
Happiness and a sense of fulfillment that my work is actually being produced and being used by thousands of people.
Sense of achievement and the 'Eureka' feeling
It does what its meant to do in a intuitive way for the user and is well thought out from colors to forms and fillets.
Purpose of every design element and how it solves the function
Creating purposeful long lasting products which can hold value for a long time
I am heavily drawn towards additive manufacturing and think that is going to impact design in alot of ways
The world around me. I am a huge observer and a strong listener and constantly looking for the next project.
I start with Form follows function to finish with Form enhances function
I am an Indian designer who lives and works in the USA.
Learning on my job working on real world projects and achieving some successful on market products is my goal for the next three years.
pbendal@ncsu.edu