Will.i.Am: 'Michael Jackson inspired me to get into the design world'

Former Black Eyed Peas superstar Will.i.Am has revealed that the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson, inspired him to get into the design world.

So far, the singer and 'The Voice' coach has worked on designing cars (shown left) and he then branched out into bags. Most recently, the 'Boom Boom Pow' hitmaker released a new experimental eyewear brand called ill.i Optics and he has confessed that Jacko was the person who lit the spark of intrigue where design is concerned:

"Michael Jackson got me interested in design. When you see Michael Jackson you think, 'Why?' 'Thriller is awesome but why Thriller'? He could've made any type of video but why a horror flick? So my mind works that way. I always say, 'Why?' I don't just accept it, I always ask why."

Speaking about his eyewear range, Will.i.Am told reporters that he wanted to create something different: "I see a gap in the world of eyewear and this is my instalment of what I feel is missing. I want this to be an honest brand - it's about dedication and passion."

Watch a promotional video for his eyewear line here: