tastemaker – Jaime Hayón
Interview by Bethan Ryder
Barcelona-based artist, designer and curator Jaime Hayón trained as an industrial designer in Madrid and Paris before becoming head of the design department at Benetton in 1998. In 2004 he launched his solo career with the Hayón Studio, and his often whimsical creations range from toys to furniture, including a beautiful range of bathroom furnishings: AQHayon, manufactured by Artquitect in 2005. The cover star of various design magazines, he’s also recently won a string of awards: Wallpaper* ranked him in its top 10 breakthrough creators worldwide and this year he scooped an Elle Decor International Design Award.
9 questions for… Jaime Hayón
Where do you find inspiration?
My inspiration comes from many different sources: a musical, the past, a visit.
How would you describe your work in three words?
In my work there has to be a theme, quality and function.
What object couldn’t you live without?
A pencil.
Which of your designs are you most proud of?
Each of my designs means very much to me for different reasons. I can’t say I’m not proud of any of them.
What makes good design?
Freedom, imagination and the quality of the materials applied.
Which of your contemporaries do you admire and why?
I admire (artist/designer) Jurgen Bey’s intelligence and (furniture designer) Mattia Bonetti’s way of making his dreams come true.
Which product or building do you wish you’d designed?
The Guggenheim Museum, New York [by Frank Lloyd Wright].
What is your favourite restaurant/bar in your city?
Out of China in Barcelona (Muntana 100, Barcelona, +34 93 451 5555).
What’s your dream project?
To design a park, or an airplane…
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