Contract - November/December 2010 - (Page 104)

perspectives Anurag’s viewpoint... What inspired your career choices? When my parents were designing our home in India, they worked with an architect, who was a close friend of theirs. I remember going to his office and being absolutely fascinated by the whole environment—the books, the drawings, the models. I knew then that this was something I had to be part of. Anurag Nema nemaworkshop, founder New York What do you consider to be the worst invention of the past 100 years? Artificial materials—fake finishes, fake everything. What are the biggest challenges facing designers today? It’s such an exciting time to be a designer. I view constraints and challenges as opportunities. They give structure and relevancy to designs. What is the most fulfilling part of your job? The most exciting part is the ideas and concepts. I love researching and using everything in my daily life as a tool for design. Design responds to such a wide range of disciplines, including music, nature, film, cuisine, art, fashion, theater, psychology, architecture, pop culture, and politics. Basically, everything is fair game for designers. If you could have selected another career, what might you have been? Hard to say—maybe an inventor. Honestly, I really can’t see myself doing anything besides architecture and design. What do you consider to be your greatest professional achievement? I’m still working on it. Perhaps it’s in the next idea, next concept, next project. What advice would you give to A&D students or those just starting out in the field? Delay judgment. Take an idea and push it. Develop it first and then sit back and decide whether or not it’s relevant. More often than not you will find that even simple ideas thoughtfully considered can be inspiring designs. What would be your dream project? I dream of designing hotels and airport lounges. Addressing the traveler is so seductive because he is inherently vulnerable. The question is: how can the design make someone feel comfortable and welcome in a foreign environment? That’s really what hospitality is about—helping someone feel a personal connection, a sense of belonging. Also, I would love to do installations and events because they are opportunities to experiment with something new. What would you like to leave as your legacy? Inspiration. What is the best thing you’ve learned in the past 10 years? Overdesigning—doing too much without a solid idea—just screws things up. 104 contract november/december 2010 www.contractdesign.com http://www.contractdesign.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Contract - November/December 2010

Contract - November/December 2010
Contents
Editor’s Note
Industry
Focus: Suspended Reality
Palette of Time
House of Sweet Dreams
America’s Lounge
A Fine Winery
Mexico City Materialism
Risqué Business
Brooklyn Baroque
Reading on the Walls
Trends: The Real Social Network
Designers Rate: Lounge Seating
Sources
2010 Brand Report
Ad Index
Perspectives: Anurag Nema, Nemaworkshop

Contract - November/December 2010