A Burning Question?
by allthebest • 2 Apr ’08 • Uncategorized • 25 Comments
I’d love to hear from all of you today. I have a very exciting new project in the works (more to come on the specifics in a few weeks) and I am continuing to plug away at my book. What I’d love to know from you dear reader is this—if you could ask your favorite designer any question (within reason of course) what would you ask. You can name the designer too if you so desire.
early influences
I notice that sometimes you use questions from the Proust Questionnaire, more of those would be fun.
1/ To Peter Marino: What’s with the S&M biker’s look? Are you still married?
favourite place to travel too?
favourite room in their house?
What is the only other occupation you would leave your designer job for and why?
Where do they think future design trends are heading?
These are great! Thanks!!
Ronda
xxoo
Maybe ask if there were any bad trends/fads they fell victim to? Any design “mistakes” they wish they could go back and undo?
1. If they were to have a design “tryst” with another designer, who would that be?
2. Best and Worst Designs.
3. Favorites? List from A to Z.
4. What would they take with them if suddenly their home was ablaze?
5. How has the whole”going green” affected their design philosophy?
Patricia
I always want to know how people got started, and whether a degree is necessary. Also, the most important question, do they use an assistant, and how do they go about finding (ad in the paper, word of mouth) and choosing said assistant. And last but not least, what do they dislike most about their job? I would kill to be the assistant of any designer.
Ohhh these are great!!
ruthie sommers: what gave you the courage to take a leap to LA and start Chapman Radcliff?
If you use bloglines or something similar, from what design blog do you have the most previous posts saved?
What is, according to them, bad design? And bad taste?
What mistake did they make more than once?
Who would you choose — if you had to choose someone other than yourself — to decorate your own home?
When you are a guest in a private home are there easily correctable mistakes you invariably notice? Please name a few.
I would ask Nate Berkus:
How did Oprah find you?
I would ask Shelia Bridges:
How did President Clinton find you?
So many questions come to mind… One thing I like to read about is who was their mentor/style guide, the person who taught them the most about taste and/or their craft.
And a question for Ronda: what’s this new project? I can’t wait to hear more!
what do they see as timeless design? i know they’re in the business of repeat clients
but what are staples that last throughout the ages?
How do you keep your creative edge? What do you do if you’re stuck in a creativity rut on a certain project? Where do you turn? A specific book? A magazine? A past project portfolio? Notes from a great seminar? Do you doodle until the dry spell passes?
When was the moment in your life where your passion for design was challenged and therefore you knew that your path was in this direction and there was no stopping it?
I’m with anon 7:25. I’d like to know the most common traps into which the amateur inevitably falls.
That and what fears a client typically expresses and how the designer works with them without compromising style.
It’s probable that most “top” designers don’t walk into too many “real peoples’” homes, however when they do, I’d be interested in knowing what is the biggest design mistake they usually see.
Questions from another designer:
What item(s) in your home could you not live without? If you could design a house for someone famous, who would it be? If you could design a house for another designer, who would it be? What dishes do you dine on everyday? On special occasions? When do you do your most creative work? How many hours do you sleep at night, or do you sleep at all because you are so busy thinking about design stuff?! What is your favorite place to visit? Favorite place to eat? Favorite food? Favorite furniture line? Favorite fabric?