Alon Razgour, Founder & CEO at Alon Razgour (Israel)

Alon started his own design studio fresh out of school, which isn’t the typical pattern I’ve seen with industrial designers that I’ve interviewed on this site so far. Since then, he’s won a number of awards for his designs across a range of applications in both government and corporate spheres. His work is inspirational and he freely shares his knowledge as a Senior Lecturer at WIZO Haifa Academy of Design and Education.

You can find some of his designs at http://casajewel.com and http://razgour.com.

You founded your studio right out of school, generally I see industrial designers jump between a few companies before taking this entrepreneurial step. What was your passion and drive to have your own studio once you got your degree?

Opening my studio was more a necessity than a free choice. I’ve graduated with honors and right after graduation I was approached by many companies, among which was a very big engineering company that wanted to work with me.

Unfortunately after we’ve closed all the final details, it suddenly went bankrupt. The other companies that had business relations with it and were affected by its fall, approached me and offered me to work for them as a freelance designer. I’ve decided to take the plunge and accepted some of these offers, so the next thing was to open my own studio. Some might look at it as lack of understanding or even naiveté, but I regard it as the major step that took me to where I am now.

Once founding your studio, you focused on medical devices, why is that? Was that a market that was open for innovation or is that were the biggest demand was coming from?

I did not necessarily focus on medical devices but rather on companies that were on the cutting edge of technology, like “Netafim”, which is an agricultural company. I’ve focused on advanced technology because this is what fascinates me.

When I was younger I’ve tried to decide between product design and the philosophy of mathematics. Eventually I did study product design but my graduation project was done with a research scientist from the university.

For two decades, you’ve been a Senior Lecturer at WIZO Haifa Academy of Design and Education. Have you had the opportunity to work with students who originally attended your class once they graduated? What do you enjoy most about sharing your knowledge?

Over the years I’ve worked a lot with students that I taught. There is something very fresh in the fact that they look up to you as well as push you forward with their special energy. I love teaching those who wish to learn.

How different is it consulting a company or an inventor to a government ministry? Is there a strong contrast in tempo, expectations and project size?

A government ministry will always look at global plans and large scale projects. It likes to investigate the essence of design as an economic tool while comparing Israel to other countries. In a private company you are working on a specific project and your main concern is that your client will make money out it. It is much more focused and singular.

You recently founded CASA JEWEL, I have to admit your Vitreous Ripple table is awesome! Can you give me some insight as to how you came-up with the design, why your material of choice was glass and how you go about creating it? Out of curiosity, how much does it cost and how do you prevent it from being broken in shipping?

The Ripple table is a very good example of the kind of cooperation I love (and thank you for the compliment).The crafty work was done with 2 glass artists. It is not laser cut but manually broken. It costs 10,000 Euro and is custom made.

I love playing with materials and always try to see what comes out. The project started from looking at the whole subject of Coffee Tables. Each table has its own story and was conceived differently, but they are all a result of a thorough sociological research I’ve conducted. I’m interested in the people who surround the product. And I believe that each material generates a different behavior. For instance, you’ll tend to be much gentler near a fragile material. The material affects you. For me, an essential part design is passion and desire. You ask yourself how you influence the product and how it influences you. I wanted to see how this notion applied to a different productsof the same family.(coffee tables)

Regarding shipping, I work with a professional company which specializes in this kind of shipping, so the products are very safe.

Your studio isn’t solely focused on design but you also curate and offer additional classes, was this three three pronged approach part of your original vision for the studio? Can you give me an idea of the size of your studio, capabilities and how you see it growing well into the future?

I love multi disciplines. I’m fascinated and excited by many things. I’m not afraid to take deep plunges into various pools. Once you try and succeed, people start asking you to work for them. A good example is a new field which I’ve recently started to explore: design of trophies and awards to donors and competitions.

I like my studio in its present size but I like to cooperate and develop business with others. Only last week I’ve signed a contract for developing a medical device and cooperation with a furniture company.

You’ve won a number of awards during your design career, what advice would you have for people interested in following in your footsteps to achieve the success you have in this field?

My first advice would be –enjoy what you do and be patient. It is a hard and strenuous work. You really have to want this very much in order to survive in this field. You have to remember that your client wants your commitment as well as you creative solutions. You have to be very disciplined and committed.

Anything else you’d like to add?

One of the things that interest me very much is taking part in international conventions and exhibitions. I’ve attended professional conventions is Ukraine, Senegal, Toronto, Atlanta USA and china to name a few, both as a designer and a judge in various competitions.

I always keep looking for opportunities to show Israeli deign, using various types of cooperation.