Designer Karim Rashid (born 1960) designed thousands of items, received hundreds of international awards. His name has become a household name when talking about popularity, marketing response and the widest specialization (or lack thereof) in design.

On the topic: Karim Rashid and ABD Architects will build a house in Moscow

Can you call yourself a perfectionist? Absolutely! I work with modern culture as a sculptor. I am a designer, artist, nonconformist, perfectionist - this is how I am tuned in life. And also I am impatient, hardworking, optimistic, loving, generous, kind and scrupulous.

When you start work, do you immediately present the result? It often happens that I have more ideas than customers can realize. I do not like half measures; since I came to this world, my task is to give everything to the fullest, to contribute as much as possible. If I took up the project, he must have some kind of zest. For me it is very important that as a result of the creative process, things appear on the light that will cause a sensual response that people will enjoy with pleasure. I myself use my products, so I know what I'm talking about.

Karim Rashid: “I constantly observe, analyze. I thoroughly investigate everything around us, in our artificially created environment. ”

Do you need any special conditions, atmosphere? The most difficult thing is complete creative freedom. The more requirements, wishes from the client, the simpler: they stimulate new ideas. A striking example is the premium brand Rich and its RichCrystal line, which was supposed to be a stylish solution for bars and restaurants. There are many packages of juice for every taste and color, it is very difficult to come up with something really new. However, after studying and working out the options, we and the Rich team managed to create a minimalist image, a kind of reincarnation of the classical form. The bottle has no sharp corners, so it is easy to take, it is pleasant to the touch. Now it is not just a nameless juice in a faceless glass, but an exquisite premium drink.

What are the main trends in interior design? I do not like trends and I do not really like the word "style". The digital transformation of our world has led to the fact that due to an overabundance of visual information, we have lost the depth of perception. We do not see the landscape as a whole, but as if we are looking at it from a small window. In pursuit of trends, many designers imitate style. For example, industrial chic is already everywhere, there is no former originality in it. We can say that now we live in two worlds. One of them is artificial, the kitsch of optical illusions, and the other is the real digital world. Design should be part of modern culture, and not get hung up on style and trends.

Karim Rashid: "I respect genuine antiques, I inspire and admire them, but what I don’t like is imitations of the past, copies and fakes that fill the world."

You said you do not like "classics." That is, in your opinion, the fact that never go out of fashion does not exist? I have nothing against antiquity. I just do not believe in reproduction. We constantly produce new items in an attempt to approach the past - a past in which we have never lived. If you were going to buy a car today, would you choose a horse with a cart? And if you needed a gadget to listen to music, would you buy a radio?

What is definitely time to get rid of? Get rid of tasteless souvenirs. Less is better! Check yourself again that you really want what you are going to buy. I myself am not a supporter of anti-consumerism, but I think it is important to consume wisely. Buy only what you really need.

Can you name three things that instantly transform the interior? Strive for order. Arrange everything in a flat line: all items, vases, books, columns. The order is inspiring. Order is Zen, it relaxes. Forget about the curtains: there is no sense in them - only dust and dirt, because of them the room looks bulky. Buy roman blinds instead. Hide all kitchen utensils. The kitchen should be minimalistic and beautiful. On the surface should remain only the most necessary and interesting things. Everything else must be removed.

No need to litter the space. If you hid something, you will no longer use it. Get rid of it.

Karim Rashid: “I am a designer, artist, nonconformist, perfectionist - this is how I am set for life. And I am impatient, hardworking, optimistic, loving, generous, kind and scrupulous. ”

Do you have idols or people who inspire you? Please, here is a whole list: Luigi Colani, Ettore Sottsass, Joe Colombo, Philippe Starck, George Nelson, Charles Eames, Isamu Noguchi, Ross Lovegrove, Bruno Munari, Carlo Mollino, Gaetano Peshe, Victor Papanek, David Carson, Frederick Kiesler, Chiro, Chiro, Chiro , Buckminster Fuller, Zaha Hadid, Oscar Niemeyer, Toyo Ito. From contemporary artists - Dalek, Dutchman, Jeff Koons, Peter Haley, Andy Warhol, Gerold Miller, and that's not all ...

What advice would you give to designers? Design is a work with modern conditions in order to shape the future in which people will exist. The point is to create something qualitative, improved, moving us forward. I always give such advice to young people: “Be smart, patient, learn to learn, learn to be practical, but do not forget about poetics. Look for new ways of expression, new meanings, new aesthetics, experiment with new materials, create new paradigms. But at the same time, always remember about the obvious human needs that the product must meet: emotions, ease of use, technological advantage, humor, positive energy, dignity. ”