Max Kersting, tell us …

Graphic designer — (your) dream job? And what is the best thing about being a graphic designer?

Design is one of my passions — another is writing. In my dreams, I would love to write thick, all-encompassing books. In reality, though, I prefer to stick to design.

I’ve tried a lot of things, but I’ve always ended up back at being a designer. There are several reasons for that. For one thing, it’s diverse. But my real enthusiasm in design is working with people. I love being able to support people with my creative ideas and solutions and to help them move forward.

What does creativity mean to you, and how do you manage to be creative day in and day out? Where do you get your daily inspiration?

I don’t like the word creativity very much. People constantly talk about it and praise “creative work,” but when it comes to being truly creative, it fizzles out relatively quickly. There is a lack of understanding of the process, and it is multifaceted. The first step is to gather and soak up as much inspiration as possible. Then it’s a matter of the structuring of one’s thoughts and the shaping of the processes and implementation. The individual steps are critically reflected upon and adapted continually until a final product emerges that wows.

I find the inspiration for this process in everyday life. I explore different worlds; I like to read thick books and also like to watch the Kardashians. I combine different things; that’s where my ideas come from. That’s how I create suspense.

Writers know it — writer’s block — nothing flows anymore. Is that something a designer also struggles with from time to time? Do you have a cure for this “creative standstill”?

Take a nap, let your mind wander, let go. Or just get started. These are all tried and true remedies that I like to fall back on.

You’ve also worked as a copywriter in Berlin. Do you think in words or in pictures?

In pictures, as everyone probably does. But words can conjure images that are different for everyone. I like that a lot.

What makes good design today?

Good design makes you want to see things in a new light. And it is a foundation for great ideas.

Which designer would you like to pay a personal compliment to? Would you rather do it over a glass of wine or a beer? The question is allowed, you live in Munich after all ….

There are many designers in my circle of friends whom I regularly compliment. Far too rarely over a beer, far too often only online.

What excites you about working for ESSENCE RELATIONS?

Being part of a great team, working together on projects and ideas, being able to support them and move them forward. It is also exciting to work for Switzerland from Munich. So I can live in two worlds again — which, as you know, I really like.