Education: Bachelor of Industrial Design from Landivar University Guatemala, and Master of Interaction Design from The Oslo School of Architecture and Design
Year of graduation: 2014
What made you decide to become an industrial designer?
My drive was and still is CHANGE. I come from a country that is culturally beautiful; its nature, landscapes and people are beautiful too. But its system, or how Guatemala operates, leaves much to be desired. Since I was little, I wanted to change the way things worked—I was always challenging the status quo of situations, products, and services. I believed that creativity was the solution for most of these challenges. At that time, industrial design seemed to me to be a career which challenged the status quo of products, so I decided to start there.
In your opinion, what types of people are best suited for the profession of industrial design? What is a typical industrial designer like?
People passionate about transforming what is complex into something simple.
Where did you study industrial design and what was the most important thing you learned?
My studies have a very international background. I started my Bachelor of Industrial Design at Rafael Landívar University in Guatemala, and during this period I took a year abroad at the Berlin Weissensee School of Art. Later, I did my master’s at the Oslo School of Architecture and Design in Norway.
After a few years studying abroad, I learnt how important CULTURE is to create a good design. By culture I mean different users, people who grew up in different environments, not only in different countries. It is not enough to design a new product or service—which works well and looks aesthetically beautiful—if it isn’t able to bring value to its user. If one takes into consideration the culture one is designing for, this design will smoothly match within their system, bringing immediate value to individuals.
What do you believe are the major obstacles or challenges for young industrial designers today from a professional standpoint?
The major challenge today, in my opinion, is the segmentation of industrial design as a discipline. Design has definitely challenged other fields, which were never touched before by this discipline, and therefore it has grown in different paths, or specializations. What started in craftsmanship years ago, today is becoming “strategy”. This change is not necessarily bad, but it causes some confusion and even discomfort among designers. Those who started with a degree in industrial design are now working as interaction or service designers, like in my case. This, in my opinion, might lead to an undefined career path, which becomes also difficult to convey to other fields.
Thankfully the redefinition of industrial design has begun. One example of this is the one given by Icsid: “Industrial Design is a strategic problem-solving process that drives innovation, builds business success and leads to a better quality of life through innovative products, systems, services and experiences.” This redefinition definitely draws a better understanding of how industrial design has evolved. As designers, it is important that we don’t see this evolution as an obstacle, rather as a positive challenge, which encourages innovation by design in a world that is rapidly changing.
Tell us about the projects you are working on now.
I work at a multidisciplinary design consultancy in Norway, called EGGS Design. Here I have worked on a number of projects, from products, like consumer goods (packaging, crampons, educational tools, etc.), to services for public institutions. Currently, I’m designing an interface to control complex fire alarm installations for ships for a company called Autronica, and the vision of connected products for FARA, a company that produces software and hardware for public transportation.
What I love about my work at EGGS is that I get the opportunity to work on a variety of projects; I learn to be flexible and work with the different specializations of industrial design. Every new project is a new challenge because it might require a different competence. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter if the result is a product or a service, but that the solution is user-centred.
Of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals listed by the United Nations, which do you believe represent the most important challenges facing your generation today?
Goal number 12: ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns represents, in my opinion, one of the biggest challenges my generation is facing today.
Today we depend too much upon consuming. We want to have the latest version of everything, but we don’t think beyond the product we are buying. Behind that product there are many people who might have not been well paid for their job, there is a transportation footprint, and last but not least, this product might end up, in a couple of years, dumped in the ocean. Our lifestyles today are not ideal to take us any further in the future, without our children suffering the consequences. We need to raise awareness. This change is not a governmental responsibility—is our own responsibility. We need to change our habits by reducing our consumption, recycling and reusing.
Thinking of those most important challenges facing your generation, do you believe that industrial design is part of the solution?
The answer is definitely yes; industrial design is part of the solution. But my answer, in this case, is not from the designer standpoint, but as a user. As users we underestimate the power we have to make an impact. We are the ones who should demand long lasting products that are sustainable, from the design process all the way until they come into our hands. If we stop consuming products that are harmful to our environment or that fuel poor working conditions, industries around the globe will have to invest in better designed products, processes, and services.
What do you most love about industrial design?
I love the process, when everything seems to be complex and I find myself lost in information from users, stakeholders, facts, and trends. I like to visualize and unfold this information until I manage to connect the dots in order to provide the right solution.
As an industrial designer, what is your biggest dream?
I come from a country with a system that leaves much to be desired. But I believe design can make a meaningful change within the organization of the government of Guatemala. Therefore, I wish to participate in one of these projects, especially one related to the healthcare system.
How do you see yourself working with Icsid to design for a better world?
It would be a great honour to work with Icsid, an organization that fosters the relevancy of design for meaningful change. I’m curious and willing to contribute to build a common vision, where design tackles real, wicked problems. I wish to share my knowledge and learn more from this community, while “bridging the gap between what is and what’s possible“, designing.
