David Gensler Interviewed by ltg

Laura sits down with KDU creator and creative panel member Mr. David Gensler to discuss the debut of their first sneaker fittingly named "THE KDU".

ltg:  Tell me about designing your shoe, what was the process?

David Gensler: I teamed up with my KDU partner Aerosyn Lex Mestrovic. We wanted something organic, removed from the digital clutter.  The design was created with ink and paper - no computers used us in the process.

ltg: Oh very cool.  So because not all of our community members are designers, can you tell them what the KDU is?

David Gensler: The KDU is my family, my organization, my friends, my business.  It is a private network of highly talented, successful individuals.  Right now we are 633 people worldwide.  The members come from all walks of life and creative backgrounds. There is one goal - to help each other achieve success. The group also builds and manages our own brands, but our main function to the outside world is to consult other brands on how to be more competitive.  Our agenda is something we simply borrowed from history - from the craft and trade guilds. Unity, Loyalty and Code equal strength and longevity.  One of our key advantages is how we personally define success - for clients our goal is profit and growth, for our organization, our goal is stability and sustainability. This puts us at a great advantage over other "groups" that focus on nothing more than profit.

ltg: Wow so how did it begin and who are the major players?

David Gensler: The KDU began in 2003.  It was myself and another partner.  The core New York office is run by myself and Aersoyn Lex Mestrovic.   We have many other partners that remain private due to their career positions. The majority of management and growth comes from the members themselves. We have been lucky to have some core members for almost the entire 5 years.

ltg: So what was your design inspiration for your sneaker?

David Genlser: A modern take on a well worn pair of work shoes.  They are a testament to our personal belief that solely relying on machines (computers) as a means of creation has lead us to a state of numbness.  We (the core KDU) have taken a step back to discover the essence of creation, especially focusing on craft. i.e. a Futurecraft.

ltg: Futurecraft?

David Gensler: The relationship between the creator and the end consumer is ultimately the final realm of true value in the marketplace.  So, our ink splattered shoes are less about style and more about a mindset to usher in a new movement.

ltg: Very intriguing. Tell the RYZcommunity a little about your design background. How did you get involved in design?

David Gensler: I started at university in photography, then shifted to advertising and then industrial design. Later I returned to business school and tied everything together with a focus on strategy.  I now view strategy as a design craft more than simply and element of business.  I don’t personal create art, I design.  Design is driven with a purpose, more often than not a goal that has a competitive element involved.  You cant possibly expect to accidentally achieve success... success is "designed".  I think that in the near future and beyond the most powerful new discipline of design will shift to philosophy.

ltg: So you guys have successfully designed a RYZ sneakers.  What projects can we look forward to seeing from the KDU in the future?

David Gensler: We are about to launch a new website to more clearly showcase our consulting services.  We are about to release several new SVSV fashion collections. We just released one of our self published magazines called the Solstice more of the same... more new members producing amazing art and design - more business focused members bringing innovative new brands to the market and a few surprises.

ltg: Well thank you so much David, we appreciate your participation on the Creative Panel and I think we can anticipate seeing a lot more from The KDU in the future!

David Gensler: I am excited to always be a part of something new and progressive like RYZ.  It is an exciting new way for the world to experience great design.  Always walk your own path and TRUST THE KDU.