Interview of Xavier DELVALLEE, RUBIKA Design Alumni in 2016.

Xavier, can you tell us about your journey since graduating from Rubika design in 2016 ?

After my internship in Germany at Volkswagen, I decided to try my luck in the United States and realize my dream in Los Angeles. California is home to many automotive design studios, which led me to work for Mazda, Kia, Acura, Honda, Canoo and Audi as a contractor.

How would you define the job of a designer ?

It's a very interesting job because I don't think many professions allow you to reinvent yourself creatively, and personally. Each project is an adventure with new inspirations and new encounters. It's a job that lives in you all the time.

What made you want to do this job ?

I was lucky enough to grow up in the automotive industry, and at the same time I've always been attracted to drawing. So the equation was easy to solve... automotive design seemed obvious to me. During my studies, I realized that the design profession offered many more opportunities than I thought and led me to automotive interior design.

How does a transportation designer end up working for Roche Bobois ?

I'm passionate about automotive design, but the very industrial aspect of it can be frustrating from time to time because many ideas don't come to fruition due to technical, budgetary or corporate policy constraints. I wanted to turn this frustration into positive energy and I quickly felt the need to express myself creatively on other projects, without any restrictions.

I naturally felt drawn to furniture, and started designing furniture collections in my spare time. I found it very refreshing to get out of my automotive comfort zone.

I then developed a new network in furniture and interior design here in Los Angeles which, by a combination of circumstances, led me to Roche Bobois. Nicolas Roche was very quick to embrace the Gaby project and a few months later, it ended up in the catalog.

What were your inspirations for the design of this chair ?

Gaby's original idea was to levitate the fundamental elements of a chair to recreate an elegant balance between each of them. I believe that the aesthetics of a dining chair can only be judged when it is presented as a set around a table. I wanted to create a chair that when placed in situation presents a succession of levitating files, suspended by a thin and elegant metal frame.

Which designers do you particularly appreciate? What are your influences ?

My influences vary a lot. Lately I have been very inspired by the architecture of Jean Nouvel, or by the creations of chef Grant Achatz.

Like their creations, I really like the idea that a product can offer an experience and give off an energy. It's more than just a product that offers a function, a good design has to offer an emotion.

What advice would you give to a future designer ?

I think the most important thing for a design student is to educate himself. Creation comes from inspiration.

The more references a creative has, the more inspired he/she will be and the more interesting ideas he/she will generate. I also think that a young designer should take risks and not be afraid to make mistakes. It helps to learn faster, and who knows sometimes can lead to unexpected opportunities.