Passenger Terminal World - Passenger Terminal World Annual Showcase 2025
New York-based designer Karim Rashid shares the lessons passenger terminals can learn from his experience creating for world-famous brands, and about his vision to transform everyday objects into extraordinary experiences
2024-10-17 08:14:52
PERSONAL TOUCH
Karim Rashid has more than 4,000 designs in production, over 400 awards and client work in more than 40 countries. His work is featured in 20 permanent collections and he exhibits art in galleries worldwide. He is also a frequent guest lecturer at universities and conferences, globally disseminating the importance of design in everyday life.
Lesson 1: Functionality and fun
In the contract market, one has to understand how people use things, where these objects are placed, and how they fit into their context. I’ve done a lot of projects that have made me realize that things need to be functional and durable. At the same time, I can’t forget that the human in all this has to enjoy these things – it’s for others, it’s not for myself.
Lesson 2: Technology affords us greater experiences with less
Lately, I find myself becoming a minimalist; I think the reduction is taking place due to the technology. We are doing a lot in this world – more than we’ve ever done before in the history of humanity – with so much less while still having incredible experiences.
Lesson 3: You don’t design an object or the space – you design the human experience
When I design furniture, like Bound for Kusch+Co, I do something minimal and pure, but at the same time make sure it works well. That it’s not just pure for the sake of it, or simple form for form’s sake. It is really about human living – because you design the human experience.
For me as a designer, it is not about getting a chair in the museum – it’s about touching someone else’s life and making them have an experience that they’ll never forget. That’s design! For me, design is for the betterment of society. Design is a social act to make a better world.
"Nice, beautiful, comfortable furniture is a catalyst or platform for gatherings"
Lesson 4: Public spaces should be designed to foster well-being
In public spaces, you want to give some sort of feeling and immediate reaction to the space. When people walk through the door, I want them to feel alive and I want to bring them some energy, so they can feel that their day will be great. It’s psychological, it’s playing with perception. The objects there should be objects of bliss, not obstacles that are causing us stress.
Bound by Karim Rashid, Kusch+Co
The Bound soft seating collection comprises an armchair, sofa and table. Its reductive yet powerful design saturates any space with loads of emotions, making that place unforgettable.
I understand Bound in the sense of bringing people together. Nice, beautiful, comfortable furniture is a catalyst or platform for gatherings.
It’s a perfect fit for airport lounges in terms of functionality and fun. The armchair is designed to turn around to follow the moves of the user and also to automatically return the seat shell to the default position after the seat is vacated.
Bound furniture is designed to provide a unique experience by playing with human senses – sight, touch and general perception. It aspires to engage emotions and foster a more enjoyable and stress-free travel experience.
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