CoreJr recently caught up with the legendary designer Frank Goldstein, and managed to get a few comments out of him.

Background
Name: Franklin Albert Goldstein
Age: 54
Location: Detroit, MI
Design education:
- Layton School of Art 1965-67 Milwaukee,WI
- Minneapolis School of Art 1971 BS, Minneapolis, MN

What are some of the projects you're working on?
Without revealing too much, I am currently working on a localized fusion device for the automotive industry, and a new kind of cup. I am also currently seeking a patent for a Magic Eight Ball for emergency room technicians. Lots of work in latex.

What is one of your favorite projects ever?
My greatest accomplishment and greatest dissappointment all wrapped up into one. Two words: Lawn Darts.

How do you prepare for or research your projects?
Fire up the still, sharpen some pencils and stare at the wall for an hour.

What is your typical design process?
I like to use the F.R.A.N.K. plan
Find the problem
Research the problem
Analyze the problem
Negotiate the problem
Kick it's ass.

Describe your design studio/office
My office is located in a building I won off of 'Cocca during a high stakes game of Fantan.

Describe some positive trends in design today
Marketing's place in the design process.

Describe some negative trends in design today
Streamlining.

Who are your heroes, design or other?
Tex Avery. A true visionary, we are not worthy of him. When I'm not feeling very inspired I know Tex can bring the best out in me.

What is the role of the designer in 2001?
To be the miner's canary to the commercialized world

What kind of music do you listen to while working?
'That's Life' - Sinatra - on repeat.

What are your hobbies?
Biking, Scale models of nautical disasters and atari.

What book is on your nightstand?
"Design and what it means to me" - Frank Goldstein, and the Gideon's Bible.

Where would you like to live, and why?
No place I'd rather be than 'The Motor City', fresh air and everythings here. I'd live in Paris if it wasn't owned by the French.

Describe any great design destinations you know of that others might not
There's a quaint little place I found off the beaten path in NYC, I think it was called The Moma.

Who is your favorite celebrity?
Don Knotts (The Incredible Mr. Limpett - tops!!)

Please tell us about your time in Malta/Europe in the 70's
I went to England in the fall of '71 to seek out opportunities in a foreign land. I ventured around a bit, worked in furniture here, ceramics there, became a journeyman glass blower in Venice and kicked the can around Malta only for a short while. Not much to report, a lot of drinking and stomping.

What is more important in a product design, function or beauty?
Well, which came first, the chicken or the egg?

What are you most passionate about today?
One of my other projects revolves around bathrooms. A little back burner I'm stewing on.

Any final comments?
Drop out and rock!