Here, we ask designers to take a selfie and give us an inside look at their life.
Age: 32
Occupation: Interdisciplinary designer.
Instagram: @manasazegara
Hometown: New York City.
Studio location: New York City.
Describe what you make: I create colorful creatures I hope to exist in the world. They are mechanical-looking shapes and forms that are for the most part architectural. This means they are spatial and hint at the possibility of becoming occupied. My practice spans from designing furniture and textile to acrylic paintings. I’ve recently added painting on fabrics and custom upholstery to my portfolio. This is completing the missing piece in my practice for now.
The most important thing you’ve designed to date: Alice, the first mirror wall piece I designed, which was born out of a sweet accident. The process of making it taught me to never give up and always trust my instincts and stay open to possibilities, even if they weren’t my first choice.
Describe the problem your work solves: Lack of color in the world and excitement in the design world.
Describe the project you are working on now: I’m partnering with ABC Carpet & Home to produce a new collection of mirror wall pieces. I’m also collaborating with a well-known New York–based fashion label producing exclusive hand-painted wearables.
A new or forthcoming project we should know about: Developing my first glasswork floor lamp, which is expected to come alive by the end of this summer. Separately, developing a few large-scale mirror murals. I’m also collaborating with our friends in Mexico City to produce a new totem collection that will be launched during Mexico Design Week in October. A very exciting time for my practice, indeed.
What you absolutely must have in your studio: My sketchbook and watercolor set, laptop, and my previous sketches, as I’m constantly getting inspiration from them and evolving my previous work.
What you do when you’re not working: You can either find me enjoying a good design book/magazine while sipping on an oat cortado or checking out art and design exhibitions and meeting like-minded people.
Sources of creative envy: A professor of mine used to say when you like a drawing or a design, ask yourself why you’re drawn to it. Find the answer and begin to use it in your work; worthy saying, Nate Hume, thank you!
The distraction you want to eliminate: Everything else besides the creative work involved in the design-focused business (i.e. business development, marketing, and finance).
Concrete or marble? Concrete enclosures with marble interiors.
High-rise or townhouse? Inside the high-rise; outside the townhouse.
Remember or forget? Remember to forget.
Aliens or ghosts? Aliens’ ghosts.
Dark or light? Dark objects on light backgrounds.
