Considered as one of the most iconic design legends of our time, the visionary Karim has been revolutionizing the design industry with his unique (almost futuristic) vision and ideas. With more than 4000 designs in production, over 300 awards to his name, Karim’s ability to transcend typology continues to make him a force among designers of his generation.
The famous New York-based designer has created a unique collection for DelightFULL and Essential Home inspired by the casual lifestyle concept, something that has become an important part of our daily lives. After taking us through his amazing professional journey, Karim Rashid has unveiled some unique details on this new project with the mid-century modern brand in an exclusive interview.
THE CREATIVE JOURNEY
Tell us about the beginning of your journey in the world of design? How did the love for product and interiors emerge?
I realized my life’s mission at the age of 5 in London. I went sketching with my father drawing churches on Sundays. He taught me to see – he taught me perspective at that age – he taught me that I could design anything and touch all aspects of our physical landscape. I remember drawing a cathedral facade and deciding I did not like the shape of the gothic windows (the pointed tops seemed dangerous) so I redesigned them. I drew them as ovals. I also remember winning a drawing competition for children on the Queen Elizabeth when we sailed from London to Montreal in 1966 – I drew luggage since I was really perplexed at how we packed up our entire belongings into some suitcases to go to the new world.
Karim Rashid
Karim Rashid design is now one of the top international references of today’s design industry. How was the studio born?
My career really started in 1992 (when I was 32) when I moved to New York City. I was penniless but started drawing objects romanticizing about the beautiful world I always wanted to shape. I found a rundown loft without kitchen or bathroom and struggled to survive. After approaching about 100 companies, from Lazy boy to Gillette, I only got one client. And I started teaching at Pratt Institute and worked alone for a few years before hiring some staff. I was determined to create a successful practice. That was 30 years ago!
Karim Rashid
How would you describe your signature style?
I call my design Sensual Minimalism. Sensual Minimalism is reductive but humanized. I mean that in certain objects I use straight pure geometry but it is married with the organic. Digital Tools inspire me to make forms as sensual, as human, as evocative, as sculptural as possible but through new shapes that were historically impossible to make.
Karim Rashid
We know each designer has their own source of inspiration and vision for a specific project. Tell us a little bit more about your creative process.
I don’t take inspiration from any one place or thing. Inspiration comes from being creative within the criteria of a project, and as well from functional needs and desires. I have always found myself having more ideas than companies could ever produce. I perpetually observe and analyse and dissect everything around me in our built environments.
Karim Rashid
If you could describe a design by Karim Rashid in three words, how would you describe it?
Human, Sensual, Biomorphic.
Karim Rashid
Do you think the relationship between a designer and a client is a fundamental part of the creative process? Why?
Absolutely! Each client presents their own challenge and own possibility. I work with the strengths of the client – if they work with glass, fiberglass, 3D printing, wood, roto molding, injection molding because these are the cultures of the company – and design is all about this collaboration. A designer must understand completely the culture and history of a company, their vision and their market.
Karim Rashid
If you had to name the project of your career and your life, which one would it be and why?
It’s still to come.
Karim Rashid
How important is following the design trends established in the industry, in your opinion, as a designer?
People like to assume that design moves with more superficial trends, but it is technology and humanity that drive us. Industrial design and interior design are driven by designers embracing new technologies, whether it is material chemistry, production method, or mechanical invention.
Karim Rashid
NEW PARNERSHIP, NEW CHAPTER
The luxury world has always been associated with the classic art deco style that sometimes can feature a more serious look… Do you think that mid-century modern is becoming a major influence in the luxury design industry? Why?
I don’t associate luxury with art deco or mid-century. There are some designs that are timeless. I have nothing against the old. I just don’t believe in reproductions. I can respect, learn from, and admire real authentic antiques, but what I do not agree with is the derivative of the past, the copies the fake ‘antiquation’ of most of our world, where we produce new objects that are trying to imply, or reference the past – and generally a past that we never existed in. But our environments should talk about the time in which we live and not repeat antiquated derivative styles of the past. We are living in a data-driven digital age and like our digital tools, our physical world should have the same seamlessness, ease, immateriality, functionality, and smartness.
Karim Rashid
Luxury is a way of enriching one’s life, of increasing experiences through beautiful things, through things that we love, to edit our choices and have a richer life – creating ultimately the most important luxury of the 21st century– ‘free time’.
In your vision what is the essence of the brands Essential Home and DelightFULL?
I respect that Essential Home and DelightFULL continue to create new forms all while being inspired by mid-century design. My view has always been to create designs that speak about our age. We have a common plan to push an agenda of design as a way of bringing energy and creativity into our everyday lives.
Karim Rashid
The brands’ values are based on bright color schemes and unique craftsmanship techniques. Are you familiar with Portuguese craftsmanship culture? If you are, which are the technics you appreciate most or would like to examine thoroughly?
I have visited Portugal a few times and I have always found everyone very enthusiastic about design and beautiful craftsmanship. But they have not done well enough to market their brands outside of Portugal as the Italians and Scandinavians have done. Portugal has fantastic sights, sounds, tastes that the world needs to experience.
Karim Rashid
What was your inspiration when designing the exclusive collection for the brands?
These are designs that are timeless. My inspiration for the Kasual collections was to create designs for our environments that are exciting and seductive, as well as colorful, flexible, and personalizable.
Karim Rashid
What was the thing that captivated you the most to go forward with this project? Which type of categories were you most enthusiastic to create?
I was very excited to create some comfortable pieces of furniture that bring people together. Casualism is the future. Home is now work, sanctuary, school, art gallery, restaurant, movie theater. This Casualism has shaped our lives, our minds, our spaces, so the virtual and physical blur, where luxury is ease, where new comforts prevail. So, our home furnishings have taken on much greater importance to have contemporary comfortable ergonomic inspiring furniture and lighting at home since we spend far more time there than we have in the last 50 years.
Karim Rashid
Now that you have a clear idea of what is going to be Karim Rashid in the Essential Home and DelightFULL world, how would you describe your unique products to any design enthusiast?
I am interested in designing products as complete Rapture of Experience. We must remember the obvious HUMAN issues in a product. Are consumers flippantly purchasing useless kitsch at the checkout or are they assessing a product for criteria like emotion, ease of use, humor, meaning and positive energy and proud spirit.
Karim Rashid
Do you think these products can easily fit in any project type like residential or hospitality? Maybe you can give some decorating tips for these two different worlds.
Absolutely! I am about designing for today’s modus operandi and social milieu. I love the eclectic mix of old and new.
Karim Rashid
I think a natural and organic evolution for a design, residential and hospitality is to be open to the new and allow for growth. Just like the beauty of any great city is to see all the periods of growth and architecture side by side, a collage, a farrago of markings of the times of the city. When in London or New York, or a similar place, you can walk one street and see buildings from the 17th to the 21st century. Side by side. That is the eclecticism of the urban landscape.
What is the main message that you want to pass to the design world with this collection?
Our lives are elevated when we experience beauty, comfort, luxury, performance, and utility seamlessly together. I believe creating a comfortable home comes with the need for less. We need fewer but better physical things.
Karim Rashid
Photos: ©DelightFULL
