Technicon Design France recently made the shortlist in the International Yacht and Aviation Awards 2014 with their IXION Private Jet Concept reaching the shortlist in the Private Aviation Interior Concept and Private Aviation Exterior Concept categories.
Name: Gareth Davies
Company: Technicon Design
Position within company: Design Director (France)
Website: www.technicondesign.com/france
What direction do you feel design is moving towards in general terms?
The field of design will take account of disruptive technologies- adapt to rapid change. The world is getting smaller, cultures are merging, with more and more information available than ever before. Design will adapt faster to create products for ever evolving tastes and markets.
What projects are you currently working on?
We have a very eclectic mix of projects at the moment. Without giving too much away, we have an ongoing exterior and interior luxury vehicle design project.
We also have other diverse projects in the mass transit and luxury product sectors and a long standing commercial aviation client.
We are in the very early stages of a design project for a major business jet manufacturer.
A designer’s work is so diverse – how do you manage to hold down a career and a life?
I am not alone, it’s a team effort. When you have good people around you all things are possible.
Also developing a good working relationship with clients is the essential ingredient in time management.
Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2014 and beyond.
Customer requirements
Function
Synergy
New materials
Originality
If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design schemes, what would it be?
Keep it simple. Define a concept that fulfils its function with a clear visual style and stick to it.
How important are The International Yacht and Aviation Awards as recognition of talent and achievement?
Being recognised for something you invest your heart and soul into is extremely rewarding and motivating. Awards bring an industry together and promote competition, which is always healthy.
The objectivity of the judging process is also a bonus and it is an honour to be shortlisted amongst such talented company.
How do you relax?
DIY, you can’t beat hitting an inanimate object with a large hammer for stress relief.
Also listening to music, a good film and playing the drums.
What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
Move forward. Develop new clients and deliver our projects with existing ones.
Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself
The car you drive?
A Ford day to day, and an old SLK for if the sun ever comes out.
Your favourite place to travel to in the world?
The Canadian Rocky Mountains spring to mind – warm people, stunning scenery. Closely followed by lying on a beach in the middle of the Indian Ocean.
Your favourite hotel/ restaurant/ bar?
Bellagio, Las Vegas just for the fountains.
The Royal Oak, Fritham in the New Forest, England
The place that gives you the most energy?
At work –smack in the middle of a new project
And the place that enables you to totally relax?
Anywhere that I am surrounded by my family and close friends
Your favourite food and drink?
Fresh bread and strong cheese, a nice cold pint of beer in an English pub garden on a boiling hot day.
Anything else interesting?
Donkeys kill more people annually than plane crashes.