jozeph forakis… design have been shortlisted for The International Yacht & Aviation Awards. Read more about Founder & Creative Director, Jozeph Forakis, below:

Name: Jozeph Forakis

Company: jozeph forakis … design

Position within company: Founder / Creative Director

Website: www.forakis.com

Tell us a little about your background in design:
• Bachelor of Arts, Industrial Design, Rhode Island School of Design.
• Master of Industrial Design, Domus Academy.
• Early experience in NYC Off-Broadway Set and Lighting Design, and US Bio-Tech industry.

Based in Milan and New York, jozeph forakis … design works across diverse industries with international clients, including CL Yachts, Haier, Kikkerland, Leonardo Helicopters, Normann Copenhagen, LG Electronics, Magis, Samsung, Swarovski, Tecno, Yamaha Motors … amongst others.

How would you describe your personal design style?
I take a new, holistic approach to every project. I seek evolution and seamless, balanced integration. I want whatever the chosen materials and manufacturing techniques are to be expressed in their own authentic, indigenous way.

Where does your design inspiration come from?
I get inspiration from all aspects of nature: plants, animals, and systems – down to the microscopic scale. Currently, I’m studying the extraordinarily beautiful and weird ultra-deep sea ‘aliens’ being discovered only now. Better than any science fiction, Mother Nature has an incredible imagination.

In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?
We must learn from ecosystems in nature to develop a cyclical philosophy towards innovation and enterprise.

Name five key themes to consider when approaching design.

1. Nature Rules!
2. Circular Economy.
3. Beyond “connectivity”, using technology to nurture real human connections.
4. Simplicity – in everything – is the new black.
5. Post-covid is our great opportunity for a New World Renaissance.

If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design schemes, what would it be?
Try to find new meaning within the given context: cultural, sociological, geographical.

What was your most challenging project to work on and why?
My first yacht design. It’s a multidimensional challenge of experiential design, technology, form and function.

Which products/services could you not live without when designing?
Collaboration with smart, talented, motivated people of all ages and backgrounds.

How important are The International Yacht & Aviation Awards?
One of the few, true benchmarks of excellence in the industry.

What projects are you currently working on?
A full range of luxury performance yachts; Next-Gen PPE fashion & accessories; furniture and lighting using new sustainable methods.

What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
To help drive the conversation about what we as a global society can learn and apply from the experience of the Covid_19 Pandemic. Every great challenge presents even greater opportunities.

Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself and your daily inspirations:

Your most treasured possession?
My homes in Milan and New York

Your favourite holiday destination?
Sailing the Greek islands

Your favourite hotel, restaurant & bar?
Hotel: Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo;
Restaurant: Trattoria Masuelli, Milano;
Bar: Old Town Bar, NYC

Your favourite book, film & song?
Book: The Sun Also Rises (Hemingway);
Film: Casablanca; Song: Thunder Road (Springsteen)

Your favourite food and drink?
Food: Spaghetti Carbonara;
Drink: Scotch

Your favourite way to spend an afternoon?
With my sketchbook in a street-side cafe I’ve never been to before, in a city I’ve never been to before.

If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?
An actor.

Anything else interesting?
There has never been a better time to be a designer.

jozeph forakis… design have been shortlisted in The International Yacht & Aviation Awards.

design et al only work with the world’s leading yacht & aviation designers

If you think you have what it takes to complete in The International Yacht & Aviation Awards, submit your application by clicking here.

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