Today, we would like to introduce our readers with the highly talented and vivacious Efrat Gommeh, all the way from kibbutz Mishmarot, Israel.
Efrat holds a master’s degree, cum laude, in Design Management. Along with that, she also gathered knowledge about Waste Management and strives to find design oriented solutions to the environment problem. She is passionate about leading processes, which create sustainable advantages to organizations. Her specialties include product development, research, design management, CAD and Visualization using Solidworks and 3ds Max. There’s still more to come from one of the most innovative mind, scroll down and see for yourself,
TechieTonics: Please acquaint our readers about your journey from academics then to designing and now teaching. Also, was teaching always part of your plan?
Efrat: Right after graduating from Bezalel, Design Management, in 2008, I went for 6 months to a city in Switzerland called Biel/Bienne, as part of a visiting scholarship I got from the Bernese Foundation for Applied Art and Design. I had a great time there. I was collaborating with a very unique and interesting company which is called creaholic sa. When I was back in Israel, I’ve worked for 2 years in an outdoor gear company named Source – I’ve exchanged a few positions among the development team there – from an assistant product manager to working in the Marcom team, and I learnt a lot. Last year I found myself back in the academy, in a very nice graduate program called Science, Technology and Society (STS), in Bar Ilan University.
I have taught in the past and I’m doing it now. I enjoy teaching. I guess it’s about influence others and being inspired by them. It gives a good feeling.
TechieTonics: What are your thoughts on the visual elements of a design that make one product more recognizable or interesting over another?
Efrat: I have to say I am less thrilled of visual elements of a design and more of a strong concept, a new approach or a revolutionary interface. Of course, everything would be expressed eventually through visual elements, but I can’t relate to them alone.
TechieTonics: Do you agree with the notion, design will be the key feature in the next wave of sustainability?
Efrat: Yes, along with science and technology. Sustainability is a cross-professional topic. I think holistic approach to a problem brings in many cases the best solution, and design is one aspect among other relevant points of views.
TechieTonics: What’s the startup scene like in Israel? In your eyes, what are the biggest challenges for entrepreneurs in the country?
Efrat: Israel has always been a habitat for entrepreneurs. Something about the Israeli mentality fits the entrepreneur’s character. The biggest challenge here, in my eyes, is to run a stable company, which will provide steady jobs for lots of employees.
TechieTonics: There is a little bit of adjustment/adaptation time between learning the foundational skills in school and then trying to apply them in a professional setting. What do you think are the ways design educators may help their students make a comfortable transition?
Efrat: School projects which involve figures from the industry are opportunities to feel how is it to work for a real client.
Presenting works, as a student, in design exhibitions is also recommended, and should be encouraged by design educator. Besides that, I think there will always be a gap between the academy and the professional life, and it’s a good sign that this gap exists.
TechieTonics: How is the job market for industrial designers?
Efrat: It’s a tough market here. It’s not flooded with positions for industrial designers, and there are less offers for design managers – but I think it is going to be changed in the future.
TechieTonics: Is there any other advice you can give to prospective and graduating students looking to work in the field of design management?
Efrat: Sometimes a position as a design manager has to be invented, if not by an employer so by you…
Quick bits:
TechieTonics: What inspires you in your city?
Efrat: The constant changing.
TechieTonics: Your favorite pieces of music?
Efrat: Israeli artist called Shlomi Shaban.
TechieTonics: Which of your projects are you the most proud of and Why?
Efrat: I would like to think that the project, which I will be proud of the most is still ahead…
TechieTonics: What websites and magazines do you read on a regular basis?
Efrat: I read only digital magazines and blogs such as designboom, Core77, Design Milk and some local design blogs.
Thank you Efrat, for taking out time in doing this wonderful interview with us, it is greatly appreciated. Before wrapping up, we’d like to wish you luck and success in all your future endeavors.
