Hello Friends,
Wishing you all a Happy New Year, hoping 2024 is filled with the realization of some of your dreams and great success.
With the new year, I've decided to refresh the newsletter in a few ways. First, the newsletter will now be called "Pixels & Thoughts by Hussain Almossawi". I believe this title will provide us a broader opportunity to discuss not only innovation but everything surrounding the design industry and designers, from creative thinking to starting your own studio to visual techniques in the world of CGI and VFX.
Second, as you might have noticed, the newsletter has a fresh new look, hopefully for the better. We've migrated from using MailChimp to Ghost for many reasons, but primarily because Ghost is much easier to write on, with fewer distractions. It integrates the newsletter with the blog and everything else, keeping it all in one place nicely. Copying/pasting the newsletter for my LinkedIn readers, website readers, and email subscribers caused many formatting issues due to each platform's limitations.
Finally, as I plan out the newsletter calendar for the year, if there are any topics you would like me to discuss or write about, feel free to reply to this email and share. I'd be more than happy to consider it for an upcoming edition.
Meet Marius Jung
Now, lets get started with the first edition of 2024, which is a special and inspiring one. In todays edition, join me as I sit down with Marius Jung, the esteemed Head of Footwear Design at Moncler, for a revealing conversation that offers a glimpse into the mind of a master designer. In this concise yet enlightening interview, I ask Marius five key questions that shed light on his unique approach to creativity, his journey in design, and the innovative strategies he employs at one of the world's leading luxury brands.
Having had the privilege of working alongside Marius at Adidas, I've witnessed his inspiring approach to design and innovation firsthand. His work ethic and creativity were a source of inspiration during our time together, and it's a pleasure to see how his journey has evolved.
From his relaxed and observant brainstorming methods to the profound impact of artificial intelligence on his inspiration process, Marius shares insights into the ever-evolving world of design. He speaks candidly about embracing failures as stepping stones and offers sage advice to aspiring designers aiming to reach the heights of success.
This isn't just an interview; it's a rare opportunity to understand the ethos and drive of a person who shapes what luxury means on our feet. Dive into the conversation with me and discover the passion and dedication it takes to lead the way in the competitive realm of high-end footwear.
So let's get started:
✱ How do you approach brainstorming and your overall creative process?
I find my most stimulating thoughts in relaxed settings where my mind can wander, be it under the shower, in bed, or during physical activities. Brainstorming to me isn't about forced concentration but rather a natural flow of ideas as I observe and absorb the environment, challenging existing notions and allowing my creativity to surface.
My creative process is ever-evolving, constantly on the lookout for elements that disrupt my routine and enhance my thinking. It's a non-linear journey, with frequent revisits to previous ideas, embracing the unexpected, and valuing simplicity, open-mindedness, and persistence.
Central to this process is the crafting of impactful stories, which are vital sources of energy and inspiration for me.
Throughout my journey, I seek feedback from colleagues, mentors, and consumers, integrating their insights for iterative improvements. This collaborative approach enriches the quality and effectiveness of my work, ensuring a comprehensive and diverse perspective.
Despite my strive for simplicity, my method is quite structured, allowing the integration of new tools and collaborations. This organized chaos is what leads to a creative yet controlled process, culminating in outcomes that are clean, purposeful, and refined. Every step, from conception to completion, reflects the intricate balance of order and creativity in my work.
✱ Where do you gather inspiration for your designs and how do you keep up with current trends?
Over the last 18 months, my approach to gathering inspiration has evolved significantly, largely due to the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in design. AI has revolutionized how I source and process creative input, allowing me to move away from traditional search engines and towards creating and translating my own unique visions and stories.
Utilizing various AI tools, I can now instantly transform my thoughts into visual imagery, bringing a distinct and personalized touch to my work.
This shift towards AI-assisted design means that my presentations feature entirely unique images, unseen by anyone else before. This approach not only sets my work apart but also resonates deeply with people, bringing a fresh wave of inspiration and excitement. The ability to create such exclusive content has changed the landscape of design inspiration for me, making the process more direct and personal.
However, my inspiration isn't solely derived from technology. I've recently reconnected with nature, moving from Brooklyn to Milan to assume a new role at Moncler, a brand deeply rooted in mountain heritage. This geographical change has allowed me easier access to natural landscapes, and I look forward to spending weekends in the snowy mountains. This immersion in nature complements my high-tech tools, providing a balanced spectrum of inspiration from both the natural world and digital innovation.
While I stay aware of the happenings in the fashion and design world, I do not heavily rely on current trends. Instead, I focus on absorbing a wide array of daily observations and interactions, which fuels my own creative vision and energy. This approach allows me to maintain a unique perspective and stay true to my individual style, rather than being swayed by the transient nature of trends.
✱ How has a failure or unexpected outcome in your past work reshaped your design philosophy or approach?
Unexpected outcomes, failures and happy accidents are in my opinion the most powerful creative influencers. I have spent the last few years working in the innovation design space for a big sports brand and our process was mostly defined by unexpected outcomes and failures. It was always an indicator that we are pushing in the right direction and that we need to rethink our approach again to solve a problem or to be able to prove a benefit.
My journey as a Designer started actually with failure as I was not accepted in the Industrial Design school in Germany back in the day so I started studying Architecture. This event just made me revisit my process, look closer at my skillset and push a bit harder to achieve outstanding results. In the following year I was accepted at all Design schools that I applied for and started my journey with the same school that rejected me the year before.
That is also something that you should know about me to get a better understanding of my persona.
I am quite competitive with myself and I have the highest expectations towards myself and in case someone is doubting me I always try to show up and prove them wrong in the long run.
Therefore failure, doubt and unexpected outcomes are things that I truly welcome because they were fuel to me in the past to become better, work harder and focus on the things that are truly relevant.
✱ How do you balance innovation with constraints like timelines and budgets?
Really good question - I think this will be a forever work in progress for me but I think that balancing innovation with constraints requires a proactive and adaptive approach. By setting clear objectives, involving stakeholders, and being willing to adjust plans as needed, you can effectively integrate innovation into your projects while managing timelines and budgets.
A process of innovation is never smooth and perfect.
Innovation requires failure coming back to the point earlier - therefore it is highly important to stay agile and adaptive in the process. Probably one of the most important tools here is open communication, only through that you are able to align with stakeholders and team members and adjust plans and agreements.
Meaningful innovation needs timelines and scalable budgets, they bring a sense of reality into the process which can be super powerful if managed correctly.
✱ What advice would you give to aspiring designers aiming to achieve your level of success?
I find it always hard to give specific advice to such a wide range of young and talented designers as the depth can be so different but I surely can share some of my Design Ethos that has helped me to arrive where I am now.
KNOW YOURSELF
KNOW YOUR TOOLS
KNOW YOUR TEAM
Most importantly you need to KNOW YOURSELF. Spend time each year, week and day reflecting on your journey and yourself. Be open and honest with yourself about your skillset and personality and try to reflect and adapt where you can. This will always allow you to be able to center yourself in turbulent environments and stay aware of your needs.
In addition to that it is really important to KNOW YOUR TOOLS. They will help build your journey. Make sure to revisit your toolbox constantly and don’t be afraid to exchange tools or processes if they feel not relevant anymore. It is ok to let them go or park them for a while. There is a huge power in combining tools and reiterating your creative process. It will keep you agile and impactful.
Finally, it is crucial to KNOW YOUR TEAM. Be aware who is working with you and around you, understand their personas and their needs to be able to navigate your approach with them. You won’t go anywhere without a healthy community around you and without being able to play in a team.
Nothing truly comes to you. Hard work and the willingness to reinvent yourself over and over again are crucial factors of success. Be yourself on the way and embrace the journey.
And with that, a heartfelt thanks to Marius for his invaluable insights and wisdom. His sharing has left me truly inspired and amazed, providing a fascinating glimpse into his innovative thinking and design process. As we conclude, let's embrace the unique journey of creativity with enthusiasm and an open heart. Continue to explore, innovate, and let every challenge guide you to greater heights. Let's remain curious, inspired, and ready to leave our mark on the world. Here's to the next great idea and our collective journey to inspire and make an impact!
Dream Big!
Hussain Almossawi
Magical Paintings
Our latest project, "Magical Paintings," an immersive digital experience composed of millions of particles, launched in Australia this week. It's being exclusively showcased in Melbourne at Rollie Nation's amazing flagship store. I plan to dedicate a newsletter edition to delve deeper into the storytelling, project breakdown, and the behind-the-scenes efforts that brought it to life. For now, you can enjoy this beautiful coverage.
