Exclusive Interview: Tumi Creative Director Victor Sanz

Tumi has found a balance between fashion and function. We extract elements from classic design and combine them with the functions and qualities that Tumi is good at. We look for inspiration from many places, from fashion to outer space. Our design team is committed to finding the perfect balance between function, design and quality. The success of our product is based on finding this balance and ensuring that they are of the best quality in similar products.

 
1. Tumi is famous for its commercial and tourism products. How does it combine with fashion?

Tumi has found a balance between fashion and function. We extract elements from classic design and combine them with the functions and qualities that Tumi is good at. We look for inspiration from many places, from fashion to outer space.

2. what is the biggest competitiveness of Tumi, function, design or others?

Our design team is committed to finding the perfect balance between function, design and quality. The success of our product is based on finding this balance and ensuring that they are of the best quality in similar products.

3. can you share with us the interesting experience of being a Tumi designer?

Making designers for Tumi makes me realize the importance of interaction between users and products. It forces you to think about every aspect and detail of design, question the value of design, and predict the user's experience process. The user experience must be positive, otherwise we will have to modify the design.

4. why do you go back to Tumi as designer after you leave? What's the difference between before and after?

Leaving Tumi provides me with an opportunity to explore the design and fashion beyond Tumi, which helps me understand myself and let me know what kind of works I can show for the world. The backbone of Tumi's success comes from the company's desire to create the best products from beginning to end, and to provide Tumi with outstanding customer service. This principle resonated with me and became a part of the company, which made me develop, design and create products with all my heart and soul, not only for the sake of interests, but also the contest between quality and quantity. Many companies continue to produce poor quality products that end up in garbage because they are not enduring. In Tumi, I can create products that can be used for life and can be passed on to the next generation. This is very precious and special.

5. MINI is automobile brand and Tumi is the leader of business and travel accessories brand. How do you combine these two brands when designing MINI and Tumi cross-border MINI? What do you think is the commonality between the two brands?

Through cooperation, MINI and Tumi have had enough communication. Our goal in the whole cooperation is to ensure that the products we develop can be made. We also want to make sure that our products do not sacrifice the core image of any party.

MINI and Tumi have many things in common. MINI is a traditional brand. You can think of their starting point directly from the current MINI. They maintain their consistent image while continuing to grow and meet the needs of today's customers. Tumi also has such attributes, comparing the products of Tumi and some of the elements of our previous products - they are only improved and adjusted to conform to today's lifestyle. We create, design and revise our original goal to provide customers with the best, most innovative and most durable products.

6. how do you deal with the relationship between art, design and fashion?

In my opinion, they are all alike. They are all forms of expression. Nowadays, it is acceptable for artists to create products and designers to create fashions. Putting creativity in a box and introducing how they become creative is a backward way. Creativity is extracted from many different things.

7. please describe how you work. Do you have any special habits?

Before I start a new project, I have several habits. The most typical thing is that I will clean up my work area first. In a fresh perspective, I can start my work with a clear mind. I spend a lot of time thinking about and deciding what products can be successful and what emotions the product can convey. After that, I will relax my mind and I work with incredible talents. So I often talk with them and ask for their advice, just like the think tank before the project started. I always focus on new technologies, new processes and new materials, and research how to use them to make products or projects better.

8. apart from work, do you have any hobbies that will affect your job?

I work in the city but live in the countryside, so I enjoy the world on both sides very much. When I go home, I will relax myself and deal with and filter all the information from the city. I like to spend time with my family and get inspiration from them. My daughter surprises me every day. She reminds me how to stay young and enjoy simple creation. I also like outdoor sports, such as skiing and rowing. This enables me to see different things and help me to design in different ways.

9. what's your favorite art style and your favorite artist?

I have no favorite style of art. Since my childhood, my parents have taken me to museums to expose me to many styles, and my inspiration comes from them. My favorite artist now is Jenny Seville. Her works are full of soul. You can find hidden talents and skills from her works. I like this kind of works that can see the essence of art.

10. what books have you read recently and what movies have you seen?

I have been reading children's books for my two year old child recently. I like Robert Sabuda's three-dimensional book. They have opened up a completely different field in the children's reading community. I often take a plane, so I can always see the latest movie. I think the last movie I saw was Lincoln lawyer. It was pretty good.