Speed Date / ONDREJ JÓB, type designer
Photo: Michal Pavlík.
Where are you from?
I’m from Liptovský Hrádok, since college in Bratislava.
Where did you study?
Academy of Fine Arts and Design (Slovakia), Designskolen Kolding (Denmark), Royal Academy of Arts Den Haag (The Netherlands).
Who was your best teacher?
Jana Kacianová at the Primary Art School, Julo Nagy at the Academy of Fine Arts and Design, Peter Biľak in professional life.
Who were/ are your parents?
They are now retired, formerly a supervisor in a medical biochemistry laboratory and a professional soldier.
What don’t you enjoy in design?
In design, shallow formalism masquerading as deep conceptualism.
In architecture, ignoring contexts.
Architects’ websites.
And on the contrary, what do you?
Good ideas.
Simplicity to austerity, empty space.
Website designers.
What do you listen to?
Some podcasts and just about everything from music, about a third of which I’m a bit ashamed of, which is why I can never share my Spotify Wrapped. But for listening to work, I definitely recommend Radio Garden, myNoise or Poolsuite.
Your favourite film or cartoon?
I’m not some kind of movie buff, I like Denis Villeneuve’s films, I’ve binged most of those well known sitcoms and drama series. The American version of The Office, Blade Runner and Alien (including those new movies) and the BBC documentaries have a special place in my heart. I also watch a lot of YouTube videos about design, technology, construction, urban planning and restoring things.
Who do you respect as an authority in and out of your field?
In my field: Peter Biľak, Kris Sowersby, James Edmondson, Jeremy Mickel. Outside my field: anyone who does their job really well and responsibly, no matter what the job is.
What thing did you last buy?
Oatmeal and soap.
Do you buy professional literature? What was the latest book?
Occasionally I buy something, but I hardly have the capacity to read it at all. I’m counting on retirement to change that. Last time I bought a monograph by Czech typographer Jaroslav Benda.
Do you vote?
Always.
Who throws the best parties?
The best parties are the spontaneous ones, anywhere, anytime. And of course Michaela.
Your favourite dome?
Railway station in Svit. Is it a dome at all?
Party dress. Made by…?
I don’t care. Clothes are vanity.
Your hero from the past?
I hope you will forgive my patheticness, but the heroes are all members of minorities who have gnawed their way through their lives and have not lived to see better times for themselves.
Best/nicest house?
The winter sun leans into the intact brizolite facade.
Do you have any stereotypes when you work? How do they show?
I often devote most of my energy to the most insignificant things. I round up all the important numbers.
What’s on your desktop?
Mostly nothing and if anything, order.
Best exhibition, work of art?
The best exhibition and work is nature. But otherwise anything that Kris Sowersby touches.
What do you respect both from the local and foreign design scene? And why?
I respect all those who have managed to cross imaginary or real boundaries. Innovation.
Ethics or money?
Ethic money.
Extraordinary book?
I can’t think of any specific one. I love books, but unfortunately I can’t devote as much time to them as I’d like.
Optimist, pessimist, nihilist?
I’m an optimist with misanthropic tendencies.
Do you have any hobby?
I like to walk and I like to take pictures.
Solo or in a collective?
Solo.
Slovakia as the Promised Land?
I guess so. Despite EVERYTHING!