Agne Balke

I graduated interior design. But during graduation I understood, that it would be maybe more interesting to create furniture. Now I' m working as a furniture designer. When I was a child, I thought that I will be singer, because i sang in choir. But when I was at 10th class at school, we had to choose profile and to think a little bit, who we are going to be. I turned over the book about specialties, which I found in library and I saw designer specialty. I thought, that it would be nice, but not real, because I do not go to art school. And I just forgot it. After some months my friend invited to enter an art school. I was so successful, that the school accepted me already to second class. And after one year, when I was graduating my school, I decided to choose design studies. Everything became reality very fast, I could not expect that before.

Kitaip is a Lithuanian Furniture Design Company working with individual customers. Company creates non-standard projects has their own manufacture and is cooperating with interior designers and architects. Kitaip located in Vilnius, Lithuania. Company established in 2008.

It is a pleasure for eyes and body. Also functionality, aesthetics in form and details, problem solution.

I like designing furniture. Now for me it is like a wave for creating writing desks.

Wood (especially oak), corian, black metal, painted MDF, CNC technology.

I feel excited, because it is a big pleasure to understand that it finally became a reality.

Does it look great, is it professional, quality, what kind of materials, technology, not overloaded design.

To create a really sustainable design. It must be quality and timeless. Or maybe to create a new material, made from secondary materials.

Now it is creating a lot of new technologies, which opens a wider opportunities. I think the future will be very interesting.

It was 2019 May 6-12 during Design week in Lithuania. Next exhibition also will be this year.

Inspiration comes from nature, ornaments, combinatoric elements, sometimes folk motives different cultures, art.

Modern design style with sometimes Scandinavian elements. I like to use wood elements, some of my designs are inspired by nature.

I live in Lithuania, Europe. Yes, cultural heritage inspired me to use folk motives in my writing desk design.

I think some companies look at designers portfolio. They can see what kind of design designer creates.

I start sketching, thinking about idea. Then creating technical drawings, deciding construction. And giving for manufacturers to make my projects. And also there are a lot for other things to do which i didn't mentioned.

Everyday is different and full of spontaneity, creativity and smile. After work I play drums, guitar or dance.

I think there are more positives than negatives. Positives: you express yourself and feel realized, if you like your job, you always get inspiration from inner yourself, feel inspired. Negatives: when you like your job, sometimes you can not feel when you become overworked.

3d thinking, know materials and technologies, good skills in software, feel aesthetics and etc.

Autocad, 3d program, Neufert, furniture elements catalogues everyday and etc.

People who need non-standard furniture, architectures and interior designers.

To improve my skills as a designer creating new interesting projects.

The main idea and the design of furniture I create by myself. But when we come to manufacturing, sometimes we have to choose better decisions together.

I graduated interior design. And now I'm working as a furniture designer.

When I was at 10th class at school, we had to choose profile and to think a little bit, who we are going to be. I turned over the book about specialties, which I found in library and I saw designer specialty. I thought, that it would be nice, but not real, because I do not go to art school. And I just forgot it. After some months my friend invited to enter an art school. I was so successful, that the school accepted me already to second class. And after one year, when I was graduating my school, I decided to choose design studies. Everything became reality very fast, I could not expect that before.

My priority is pleasure for eyes, body, functionality, details, problem solution. I design using a lot of tools and techniques which helps me to achieve the best result. It doesn't matter it is render or sometimes physical models. Depends on situation.

First everything is abstract, so the sense also abstract. Later it becomes more clear in sketches and mind. Then starts the process making it to become a reality. Tests, details, thinking about, also sketches, models and so on. The process everytime is different, which is very interesting. For me the finished project felling is as a gift :)

Love for arts, perseverance, thoroughness. All life was as a preparation, all kind of arts as music, painting , hand made things was as an exercise. And perseverance always helps to believe in projects and make it happen.

My path was unexpected. When I was a child i was playing piano, guitar and singing in choir. But I wanted to try something more. So i decided to access art school, but i was already a teenager, so it was quite late time. But I was lucky and my path turned from music to painting and drawing. After one year i accessed to interior design College.

Every day could be quite different. It depends how you look at your day and your projects. Do you see them all the same of different? If different, so the day will be different. New tasks, new ideas, new people, new problems. Also it depends on which stage your are during your project process.

I think it is subjective. I like minimalist forms, sometimes ornaments, but very important thing is quality and aesthetic.

It is a feeling when it is finished. Then there is no need to improve it, because I always try to achieve balance in every design.

For me every design is special, because at that time I dedicate special time for it, special thoughts and so on.

Actually lifestyle is always changing process i think. Sometimes changes places, food, music which you listen, new dreams, new ideas. Everything always changing. We live in a process, so life is also like a sheet of paper where you can draw your lifestyle as you want.

It depends on stage you are. Some stages are, when I think alone about my idea, I sketch. Some stages are when I communicate with producers. I think both stages are important. It is good to have skills working alone and together depending on situation.

I think design helps create life more comfortable, aesthetic, colorful, cozy. For example - furniture and interior designers help people create their home better place to rest, recower your power and to feel great.

I'm very happy that it is possible to show my design all over the world, happy for articles and exhibitions. I think design competitions are important to make more popular and recognizable your design.

I graduated interior design and now I'm working as a furniture designer.

I want to find company that will produce and market my products on license worldwide. I want that those products could reach people and make their interior more nice and cozy place for living.

I design non-standard furniture. I'm always open to knew ideas.

In my opinion really good design is timeless. Sometimes it is simple, but great.

I want that my projects could enrich people home interiors worldwide.

My colleagues, famous designers over the world. Everyday I can discover a new designers who inspires me too.

I like my colleague round cabinet design called "Pill" and a lot of other interesting design objects all over the world. Those designs are functional, look great and aren't overloaded.

It is a pleasure for eyes, functionality, aesthetics in form and details.

Definitely my colleague from our design studio. He encouraged me to express myself in design as I truly want.