Interviews with Marina Begman

Creating Umai's Hair Rug is a complex endeavor, following ancient techniques of shyrdak making. Wool, the primary material, is sheared from sheep in the spring. It is then washed, dried, colored, and pressed into sheets. The sheets are cut into beautiful patterns and stitched together, representing spiritual values and harmony between people and the natural world. These patterns are quilted onto a large piece of plain wool base, creating a soft, thick, high-quality carpet that can last for decades.The shyrdak, a distinctively designed wool rug, is an integral part of the traditional nomadic lifestyle of Central Asia. The technique used to make shyrdaks has been perfected over centuries and passed down from generation to generation. Central Asian nomads use shyrdaks to insulate and decorate their yurts, keeping these moveable homes warm in the winter and cool in the summer. A shyrdak is a highly valuable possession for nomadic people; it’s included in dowries for young brides, and presented as a gift for important life events and celebrations.

Design was inspired by a legend of Turkic and Mongolian people, about ancient goddess Umai - a benevolent spirit, the patroness of children and women. The mother goddess was depicted with golden hair, with a comb-shaped hairstyle. The rug drawing is depicting her loose hair in the wind

All design research and sketches took around 3 months

I have always been fascinated by significant role of women in nomadic mythology, where women were treated with great respect and reverence.

Unfortunately, in our time, the women are not treated the same in Central Asia. Through this design concept I wanted to remind how important women were for nomadic people

Currently in production by partner production company

I met Aliya, the founder of Nakta in 2017. She shared how she started a company to preserve nomadic heritage and empower women artisans in rural Kyrgyzstan. The nomadic handmade rugs are at the edge of disappearance, as younger people are moving to the cities and are not learning from their mothers how to make a traditional hand felted rug. Aliya had an idea of reviving this ancient rug making technique through connecting it to the market. Her story inspired me so much and I wanted to make a design for them. When I showed the first sketches, we realized that we think the same way and decided to make the first collection. Thus, our collaboration resulted in «Hair of Umay»rug

Our target customer cares about the story of the product, conscious about the environment and social impact. Our customer is also appreciative of natural sustainable products, interior design, and appreciates hand made fabrics.

The name was inspired by ancient nomadic goddess Umai - a benevolent spirit, the patroness of children and women.

All sketches were made manually, then I used software to obtain exact dimensions for production

The role of technology is not crucial for this project, all sketches were made manually, the rug was handmade using an ancient nomadic technique using only water, soap, wool, and herbs. Felted wool sheets were dyed by herbs, and hand stitched together by women artisans.

The research was two-folds:

First, I researched the technique itself. Secondly, I researched the ancient legends of central asian nomads to come up with a new design in shyrdak technique.

The technique research included academic research about shyrdak making, traveling to Kyrgyzstan to remote mountainous region Naryn, where this technique is still kept by elder women, interviewing them, as well as participating in shyrdak making to experience and understand the technique firsthand.

The research of central asian legends included interviewing the elder women artisans in Naryn, academic research, as well as interviewing a university professor on Kyrgyz literature.

The main challenge was to get the right shades to combine when dyeing wool with herbs.

I wanted people in the world to learn more about ancient techniques of rug making in Central Asia and nomadic cultural heritage

While working on this project, I learned more about the ancient handmade rug making technique, and improved my communication skills with production company

I Started my professional interior designer career in 2008 worked as Freelancer, in 2012 I became a part of CALIFORNICATION company, as A head of Interior design department

In 2015, I graduated from London Metropolitan University with MA in Interior Designer

I am motivated by the magic of an idea that materializes, and can make people’s life elegant, aesthetic, and functional

I design interior design projects for private and public spaces. I also love designing furniture, accessories and textiles products.

In the next year I will focus on design and production of home textile collection

My recipe is to sublimate public art that you love into your own unique design, and avoid trends. Attention to details matters.

A good designer creates functional and beautiful objects, a great designer creates objects that change people's lives for the better

I think awareness and integrity makes design very good.

When a designer consciously approaches the creation of a product and realizes how this product would affect people and the environment

Good design is timeless. You could enjoy it for many years without loosing its value

In my country, little attention is paid to retired people. They have practically no social life and no place where they can spend time and socialize. I have a dream to design a space where older people can feel themselves useful and organized workshops where they will share wisdom and experience with a younger generation, and young people will teach them how to use technologies and survive in modern world

There are a lot of them, but I am mostly inspired by architects Oscar Niemeyer, Santiago Calatrava, I admire the work of Thomas Pheasant and his talent to bring his architectural background to the furniture design.

I love very much all projects of Gareth Neal - the way how he uses traditional wood techniques and makes modern unique objects.

Also, I admire the work of Marc Fish - the way how he works with technologies combining wood and resin (or acrylic) to create bionic-shaped furniture objects

Greatest design is Deceptively simple. When deep meaning is hidden behind a simple form

Ballet Dancer

For me, design is mix of functionality, beauty and right solution

My parents always are my biggest supporters and Casey Rutland

Learning from mistakes

In the future I want to create a collection of home textiles in modern ethnic style made of handmade fabric. I am planning to design bedding, blankets and home wear

To solve problems and bring more aesthetics in my surroundings

In one way design would help reduce consumption behavior - this will positive impact the environment. On the other way designers could involve more local artisans in their projects

In 2019 I developed a rug collection “Aral” for Nakta, handmade felt rug company, using as an inspiration the aerial landscape of Aral lake – disappearing lake located between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

Aral lake used to be the 4th largest lake in the world, but started drying up as a result of human intervention and climate change. It caused drastic changes in the climate of the region, and influenced the ecosystem of the whole world.

Through the design of the "Aral" rug collection, I wanted to draw attention to the environmental problems in the region, and how human activities can drastically damage the Earth.

I was happy that it was chosen by Luxury magazine as ten best of Ambiente 2020.

I think in the IT technology

Usually it take 3 to 6 months from the idea to the realization of the product

Usually, I start with research to find target audience and definition of the object concept

Never say never

I think, the great design sets the trends

For most the projects I use Autocad, SketchUp and Photoshop

I believe, that material has an important role in design.

When I choose natural materials for my projects, I always try to leave their natural color

I wish I created it )

I do believe in co - designing and I had a few collaboration project

It is wonderful when people work as a team and each brings his or her own idea to create a great product

Andrew Shea «Designing for social change»

Tim Brown «Change by design»

My preferences in colours change every season,

My favourite place is the Victoria and Albert Museum in London,

Favorite food - vanilla ice cream,

Favorite season - spring,

Favorite thing - my smartphone,

Favorite brand - Vitra

My parents had no doubts about my future profession, as I would always create something as a child – from drawing, building houses, and decorating everything around me.

I am grateful that my parents supported my early interest in drawing and spotted my passion for beauty watching how I built houses for my dolls, animals, and painted everything around me. They inspired me to pursue art professionally at the age of 12, when I entered an art college at the age of 12 in Kazakhstan. By the time of graduation, my passion for art crystallized in a decision to study interior design, so I focused on it in my undergrad. In 2015 I built on my education my obtaining MA Interior Designer from London Metropolitan University.

Design studio «Marina Begman Design» has been successfully working for 11 years and is engaged in the development of private and public interior projects around the world. Our interior projects always include the design and production of furniture and home accessories. In our projects, we prioritize engaging local suppliers and producers.

Find an elegant and smart solution, using design thinking.

I love combining different textures and colors of textile in interior design.

In 2019 I developed a rug collection “Aral” for Nakta, handmade felt rug company, using as an inspiration the aerial landscape of Aral lake – disappearing lake located between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

Aral lake used to be the 4th largest lake in the world, but started drying up as a result of human intervention and climate change. It caused drastic changes in the climate of the region, and influenced the ecosystem of the whole world.

Through the design of the "Aral" rug collection, I wanted to draw attention to the environmental problems in the region, and how human activities can drastically damage the Earth.

My first collection of handmade rugs is called “Steppe" made for Constella brand – a chain of luxury stores in Kazakhstan. Each rug design depicts beauties of Kazakhstani steppes in different seasons. In this collection, I used national nomadic ornaments in a modern way. Felted wool was hand stitched in a way to bring the best our of wool texture, and dyed using natural ingredients such as tea leaves, herbs, or onion peels.

I love working with natural materials such as wood, stone, felted wool etc. It is incredible how manual labor and proper design can take out the best textures from ordinary natural materials we are so used to.

My favourite time for creation is late after working hours, when all meetings are over, and there is nothing to distract me from immersing in my thoughts and ideas

I prioritize functionality and the philosophy when creating а design concept. I always keep in mind how this object can simplify the user’s life and what impact it will have on environment

I fill up with excitement and joy, when I find the best solution and visualize the finished object or interior, and how people will feel when interacting with my design

The feeling of a miracle from how your thoughts and ideas in combination with human labor were realized in a physical object and also happiness when you receive positive feedback about the design

Combination of functionality, philosophy, aesthetics and sustainability

The balance between functionality and beauty

I believe that every human should be aware of the responsibility towards environment and society

I think a designer should keep in mind sustainability of the used materials, that will serve for many years and will not pollute the environment. And also supporting local artisans is important

I think, in the IT technology sector

In February 2020, with my partner Nakta company, I took part in the Ambiente exhibition in Frunkfurt, Germany, where we presented a collection of handmade nomadic rugs - Shyrdaks. A Shyrdak making is an ancient technique of nomadic people in Central Asia, that was used for my modern designs. We had a many positive feedbacks from potential customers and media

Next year we are planning to participate in Maison & Objet Paris

I was born and raised in a southern Kazakh, my city surrounded by incredible pure and virgin nature, heavenly mountains, pristine lakes and waterfalls, and by endless steppes in the north of the country. Nature is always my biggest inspiration when I feel stuck. Its grandeur and beauty in everything from the landscape to a small stone of incredible shape and texture is my endless source of inspiration.

I would describe my style as modern - ethnic.

I am from Central Asia - a region with a huge cultural and historical heritage and traditions. I always try to research the ancient techniques to reinterpret them in modern design

I was born and raised in Kazakhstan - a country with a great cultural nomadic heritage. This is of great importance for my design, the combination of colours in traditional objects, the use of natural materials and unity with nature

Living in Kazakhstan helps me to use in my design the heritage I grew up in. I can create a unique product based on the culture and traditions of the past with the use of modern technologies, that is appreciated all over the world. On the other hand, people who live in my country value more western manufacturers, and less the local producers and artisans

Firstly, after briefing with the customer, I do my research to find my target audience and define the concept of the project

Then, the most exciting part begins – sketching. I usually do it by hand and in any convenient place.

After finding the right shape, the sketch is transferred to the computer where all sizes and details are worked out

Further, all the information with exact dimensions and 3D model is transferred to production

Coffee, coffee and more coffee

I think, that my profession has more positive aspects than negative ones.

First of all, most often designers are people who absolutely love their job. For me it is a great happiness to create new objects and an environment, improve people's lives by making it comfortable and aesthetic.

The negative side for me is that customers are not always completely trustful, we have to defend our point of view and "fight" for our ideas

Usually, it takes 3 to 6 months from the idea to the realization of the product. Most of the time spend on research and production

I was lucky to work with Nakta Rug Company, that started from friendship and then mutual vision for a greater product.

I take great pleasure in the process of starting production, when you can feel how your sketches and ideas gradually materialize

I have an idea for creating a collection of home textile line according to my design made of handmade fabric by artisans from Central Asia