I think Philippe Strack is a very unique designer as he goes against what you are taught when making designs. When making prototypes you are taught to seek out your clients’ ideas and observe them so that based on your target audience you can perfect your product. On the other hand, Strack avoids any contact as he doesn’t want to be influenced when making designs, he doesn’t even know other designers’ work.
I think his methods are shocking. He lives in abstraction, his life is his projects. I think it’s a bit extreme that but it does show his passion for his work and his commitment to his creativity. He goes as far as not communicating or keeping up with what’s going around him, he lives like a monk. I don’t think many can manage to be as committed to their work to cut off contact with the whole work, as most people work to enjoy their own life. I wonder how does he know how and what to design if he doesn’t keep in contact with the outside world.
I find it interesting how he doesn’t think he is that big of a deal in the world of design as he is such a big name and he can come up with designs immediately, not everyone can do that. The professional process is the last step for him when designing, unlike conventional designers, which makes him a special designer and brings him so much attention. I think a reason for this is because he does not think he is intelligent and he believes to be a good designer you have to be intelligent. He goes through these extreme methods, such as living a monk-like life, in order to make up for his “lack of intelligence” as he believes it’s the only way he can get the results.
As a final remark, I am surprised that he is so committed to his work yet he states multiple times that design can help life but not save a life in a negative tone. Like what motivates him to still work and believe in this field if it doesn’t save a life, as he believes that is what matters.