Name: Jean-Francois Maugan
Company: Jet Aviation
Position within company: Senior Interior Designer
Website: Jet Aviation
Tell us a little about your background in design
I graduated from Pforzheim University with a degree in Transportation Design in 2007. First of all, I was heading for a career in car design, but in 2008 I was looking for a job and got through the interviews at Jet Aviation. I’ve been working here now since November 2008.
How would you describe your personal design style?
I am future oriented when it comes to design; I strive to push design boundaries and creativity within that direction.
Where does your design inspiration come from?
Car design, fashion design, contemporary art, product design, furniture design, street art but also shapes and colours from the natural environment. Every field of creativity in a nutshell, but shapes trigger most my design inspiration.
In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?
There is not really a single direction, but if we follow interior design trends there is are several paths: from minimalism to maximalism; from raw, clean & technical machine made materials to handcrafted ones. I think we are heading towards more of a mixture or combination of pieces & styles like our homes but also fully integrated interiors closer to car design or transportation design.
Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2020 and beyond.
- Flexible OLED screens, which could help in gaining space within aircraft interior
- Light integration, through materials like woods, concrete etc.
- Parametric pattern on materials like wood, plastic, stone etc.
- Non-animal based material especially for leather & recycled material
- Sustainable products & interiors
If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design schemes, what would it be?
Do not be afraid to push creativity.
How important are The International Yacht & Aviation Awards?
They give a benchmark of innovative companies within their own field.
What projects are Jet Aviation currently working on?
We are currently working on a number of narrow- and wide-body concepts and completion projects.
What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
I want to improve my skills and design knowledge, becoming more efficient but keeping the creative spirit and developing new concepts.
Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself and your daily inspirations:
Your most treasured possession?
Bell & Ross BR03-94 phantom black, it is my watch!
Your favourite holiday destination?
So far Cuba.
Your favourite hotel, restaurant & bar?
So far Mama Shelter Paris, no favourite restaurant, but a city’s cuisine: Lyon’s “bouchons lyonnais”, the bar depends on which cities and with whom I am going out.
Your favourite book, film & song?
99francs, film is difficult but my favourite director would be Quentin Tarantino. It would be impossible to name a favourite song, as it changes all the time. I listen music for at least six hours a day
Your favourite food and drink?
No favourite food but something spicy! Rum & Whisky
Your favourite way to spend an afternoon?
Driving a nice car
If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?
When I was kid I wanted to be Jet Pilot but today I would say artist.
Anything else interesting?
I wish interior design would be less conservative, in aircraft design at least.