erent roles you’ve held along the way?  Victor Sanz: My journey commenced with a profound fascination for the fine arts, encompassing sculpture, painting, and the works of modern masters. As I honed my skills and deepened my understanding of various art disciplines, I had a transformative moment in which I discovered industrial design.  The encounter was with an industrial designer displaying a sculptural bicycle that left an indelible mark on my psyche. This pivotal moment steered me towards a new path, where design and art could harmoniously coalesce, transcending conventional boundaries.  Upon embarking on my career after graduation from Pratt Institute in New York City, I designed digital cameras for Eastman Kodak, and I carried this visionary philosophy with me. I aspired to unite technology, tactility, artistry, and utility into a seamless whole.  My unquenchable thirst for knowledge in all areas and disciplines in art and design led me to contemplate the realm of fashion, where I discerned a parallel division akin to the separation between art and design in the past.  The yearning to witness the fusion of these two worlds motivated me to seek out a company that, though structured like an industrial design house, envisioned fashion through the lens of utilitarianism.  This company became a beacon for me and allowed me to discover new outlets for my creativity and designs. The company was Tumi.  Upon entering this new domain, I swiftly recognised that, despite similarities to my prior experiences, there are many differences. I skillfully integrated my knowledge of product design while immersing myself in the intricacies of cut and sew, material fabrication, and ergonomics, thereby embarking on a fresh chapter in my career.  My trajectory within Tumi was an energetic one. As a designer initially involved in immersive learning, traversing the globe to engage with fabrications, factories, and the holistic development of my craft as a designer and artist.  As time progressed, I ascended the ranks, assuming roles of increasing responsibility, from designer to design director and vice president of design, until I was entrusted with the esteemed position of Tumi’s global creative director.  Drawing upon the wealth of knowledge I had amassed over a decade and a half, during which I had diligently honed my expertise in conceiving and crafting products for the brand, I found myself well-equipped to perpetually adapt alongside the brand’s discerning clientele. With an unwavering commitment to pushing the frontiers of innovation, I embarked upon a transformative journey that transcended mere product offerings, elevating our connection with customers to a multi-dimensional realm.  This entailed immersive experiences that engaged various senses, ranging from the experiential and sensorial to the realm of heightened awareness and beyond, thus redefining what was once deemed inconceivable.  IR: What do you love about your job?  VS: My profound passion lies in the art of crafting products that serve as meaningful aids in people’s daily lives. Each day presents a fresh canvas, brimming with opportunities to refine and enhance the products we create, catering to the ever-evolving challenges our valued customers encounter.  The pursuit of simplicity, efficiency, and ingenuity drives me to explore novel materials, conceive innovative features, and imagine groundbreaking solutions.  At Tumi, I have the privilege to immerse myself in a diverse array of design challenges spanning various platforms and cultural contexts.  This dynamic environment not only stimulates my creativity but also enables me to cross-pollinate ideas with the team from different domains, leading to the development of new design paradigms.  Consequently, we are bestowed with the unique ability to profoundly influence how people engage with our brand and products. Through Tumi, I have found an outlet for my unwavering dedication to delivering products that transcend mere functionality, resonating with the lives of our customers on a deeper level.  The fusion of craftsmanship, innovation, and a genuine desire to enhance lives fuels my journey as a designer, leaving an indelible impact on the way people interact with our brand, and enriching their everyday experiences. IR: What advice would you give someone who wants to get into your line of work? VS: For aspiring individuals seeking a genuine and enduring presence in the creative realm, I offer this advice: immerse yourself wholeheartedly in the study of not only design but also the broader context in which you operate, and the world inhabited by the users of your creations.  A profound understanding of these interconnected elements will undoubtedly imbue your work with timeless significance. Moreover, relentless exploration, dedication, and hard work are essential in this journey of creative growth.  Strive to acquire an exceptional depth of knowledge across various skill sets and embrace diverse avenues for expressing your creativity. Synthesizing this acquired expertise into a novel vocabulary will enable you to forge a distinct artistic identity that resonates uniquely with your audience.  As you progress on this path, actively seek opportunities to collaborate and learn from the luminaries in your field whom you deeply admire. Though such opportunities may not always be readily available, do not be discouraged; instead, summon your determination and tenacity to create your own openings.  Persistently push forward, honing your craft through unwavering dedication and hard work. In doing so, you will pave the way for your own success and seize your rightful place among the creative greats whose legacies endure through the ages.  IR: What are some of the key leadership lessons you’ve picked up over the course of your career?  VS: Over many years, one of the most profound insights I have gleaned about leadership pertains to the equal value of learning from both exemplary leaders and those who exhibit shortcomings in their leadership approach.  Through interactions with influential figures, one can discern and internalise the attributes that exude power and motivation. An essential facet of effective leadership lies in fostering an environment that encourages open communication, allowing individuals to express their perspectives freely.  Concurrently, drawing upon the vast reservoir of knowledge acquired, a great leader adeptly guides and mentors those they lead.  This duality is quintessential, as true greatness in leadership necessitates the seamless amalgamation of being both an outstanding instructor and an avid and receptive student seamlessly blending both roles.  The pursuit of perpetual learning and continuous growth underscores the core tenets of exceptional leadership.  This continuous self-improvement is not only personally enriching but also enhances my ability to guide and mentor those around me effectively.  IR: What advice would you give to someone who wants to move up the corporate ladder?  VS: For ambitious individuals intent on advancing within an organisation, a paramount strategy involves an unwavering commitment to continuous learning and proactive engagement with diverse teams they collaborate with.  Maintaining a humble and receptive disposition, along with a resolute eagerness to embrace new challenges, becomes the fulcrum of personal growth and development.  Acknowledging that failure is an inevitable part of this journey, these aspiring individuals comprehend that genuine evolution necessitates pushing beyond the boundaries of their comfort zones, allowing their burgeoning skill sets to flourish and radiate.  IR: What does a typical day look like for you?  VS: My typical day commences at 5:30am, where I kick-start my routine by preparing my must-have cup of coffee and gearing up for the day ahead.  By 6:30am, I’m already engaged in a conference call with our esteemed partners in Asia or Europe, delving into discussions encompassing an array of topics from potential pop-up ventures, to new flagship store possibilities, and the progress of numerous ongoing collaborations.  At 7:15am, I begin to synchronise with members of the team reviewing the day’s agenda, meticulously perusing through the calendar, and addressing any outstanding matters that demand attention and what the day’s priorities look like.  As the clock strikes 8:30am, I step into our NYC studio, with anticipation to meet with the various talented teams. The ensuing hours find me immersed in profound conversations with the design team, delving into intricate details of the current season’s offerings.  We dissect and contemplate every aspect, from captivating colours and innovative prints to novel silhouette styles and resolving any construction challenges. Throughout the day, the pace remains as I partake in a varied array of touch-base meetings spanning a myriad of facets that contribute to the brand’s essence.  My involvement extends to store design, enriching our customers’ experiences, reviewing plans for captivating pop-ups, and examining and designing many of the varied products that we offer.  The sheer breadth of products we craft for our discerning clientele imbues each day with distinct character; one moment might demand my complete focus on collection development, while the next finds me immersed in the delightful pursuit of selecting exquisite herb and floral combinations for our future fragrance line.  During lunchtime, I relish the opportunity to savour the outdoors and often choose to dine with the design team on the terrace, with the magnificent Empire State Building as our awe-inspiring backdrop. At around 6:30pm, I might find myself engaged in a call or making my way to a captivating event where I have the privilege to connect with other creative luminaries, exchanging ideas, insights, and inspirations.  In the realm of creativity, no two days are alike, and the ever-changing nature of my role ensures that each day is infused with a sense of purpose, adventure, and the unyielding drive to shape the brand’s vision into an extraordinary reality.  IR: What’s your approach to work-life balance?  VS: As a creative professional, achieving a harmonious work-life balance poses a challenging endeavour. The nature of creativity is such that it cannot be confined within rigid boundaries; it has the potential to permeate one’s consciousness at any given moment, infusing the mind with enriching ideas and inspirations.  However, this unyielding flow of creativity can inadvertently lead to moments of distraction, where others perceive one as lost in thought, oblivious to the world around, while internally, a symphony of designs and details unfolds in response to a flicker of inspiration.  Capturing these fleeting sparks of creativity necessitates not only dedicated work hours but also a commitment to living life fully beyond the confines of the studio. Embracing a holistic approach to creativity entails immersing oneself in diverse experiences, traveling to unexplored territories, engaging in meaningful conversations, and forging new memories.  In this symbiotic relationship between life and work, the experiences and emotions derived from living become the very fuel that ignites the creative fire within.  A delicate equilibrium emerges as one learns to embrace both the structured and spontaneous aspects of life, nurturing creativity by blending the dedicated work hours with moments of introspection and engagement with the world.  This balance ensures that the creative journey remains sustainable and fulfilling, allowing the individual to harness the full potential of their imaginative prowess while also maintaining a sense of connection and grounding in the ever-changing landscape of existence.  In conclusion, as a creative person, cultivating a meaningful work-life balance demands an integration of living and working, where life experiences become the fertile ground for creative expression. By embracing the ebb and flow of inspiration and channeling it into one’s craft, the creative soul finds fulfilment and solace in a holistic journey of creativity and life intertwined.