Interviews with Papuk

It all started when Vazken our founder/ designer and cat dad was looking for a cat tree for his two cats Grayson and Ella.

However, few options were available for cat furniture that considered both function and aesthetics. That’s when he decided to design CONNECT Collection.

The focus was on creating a functional yet aesthetically pleasing piece of furniture for cats that owners would be proud to display in their homes. The goal was to achieve a balance between the needs of the pet and the design preferences of the parents.

Our long-term vision for Papuk is to establish an ecosystem of products that caters to both cats and their parents. Our tagline "Human-friendly cat furniture" sums up our commitment to creating products that not only prioritize the comfort and well-being of cats, but also seamlessly integrate with the interior design of modern homes. We want buying a Papuk product to be part of an experience that welcomes you into a community of like-minded design-appreciating cat parents.

It took almost two years from initial concept to realization as we went through different porotypes and testing to ensure all our products endure the test of playtime for years to come.

It was a very personal passion project of our founder as he noticed the lack of options that truly blended functionality with aesthetic when it came to cat furniture and with his interior design background he decided to pursue the idea of creating a collection of cat furniture to bridge a gap in the market by offering a modern design aesthetic combined with personalization.

At the moment we are producing our own work and selling directly through our website.

Our founders background in interior design and experience with custom furniture pieces for luxury projects influenced the decision to design high-end cat furniture.

Aesthetically inclined cat parents who care about the quality of the furniture pieces they invest in.

Papuk Cat Furniture is filling a gap in the pet furniture market with a unique modular approach to design and personalization. A careful balance between functionality and aesthetics, Papuk’s inaugural line of products features a cat tree that can be personalized with a series of attachable accessories.

The name "Connect Collection" was born from the modularity of its design and the ability to connect different elements and accessories to the wooden structure resulting in a personalized cat tree for every cat parent.

we used SketchUp for 3D modeling and AutoCad to produce our drawings.

Through design customization, Papuk is creating the opportunity for cat parents to curate their feline connection based on their own design preferences.

As a small business, one of the biggest challenges we faced (and continue to face) is navigating all aspects of starting a business and juggling multiple roles simultaneously. We had to learn a million new skill sets to effectively manage everything. During moments when self-doubt crept in and we contemplated giving up, it was the unwavering support system around us that kept us going. Their belief in us and our abilities inspired us to push ourselves beyond what we ever thought we could achieve. They reminded us that challenges are a part of the journey and that success lies just on the other side of adversity.

We specifically wanted to submit to A Design Award for being it known having fair evaluation methodology where entries are judged purely on merit.

I've studied interior design, where I learned about the principles and practices of creating functional and aesthetic spaces. Design has always been a passion of mine, ever since I was a kid. I loved drawing, painting, and making things with my hands. I became interested in interior design when I visited different countries and cultures and saw how people expressed their identities and values through their environments. I wanted to be a designer who can help people create spaces that evoke emotions.

My company is called Papuk, which means "fluffy" in Armenian. We specialize in designing and producing cat furniture that is both functional and aesthetically beautiful. Our products are made from natural materials, such as wood, felt, and cotton, and they are designed to fit any interior style. We want to create furniture that cats enjoy using and owners enjoy looking at. We believe that cat furniture can be a part of the home decor, not something that has to be hidden away.

Design is problem-solving and communication through visual and tactile means. It's not just aesthetics, but also functionality and feel. It's a process of research, experimentation, feedback, and refinement involving the designer, client, user, and context. It's purposeful art.

One of the kinds of works I like designing most is cat furniture. I enjoy creating pieces that are comfortable and stimulating for cats, but also aesthetically pleasing for humans. Cat furniture design is a fun and rewarding challenge that combines my passion for animals and design.

I feel the most creative after coming back from vacation in a new country where I feel inspired by all the different things that culture offers. I enjoy exploring new places, learning about their history, art, food, and customs, and seeing how they solve problems in different ways. I try to incorporate some of the elements that I find interesting or useful into my own design process, and experiment with new ideas and perspectives. For me, traveling is a great way to refresh my mind and stimulate my creativity.

When I design, I feel a range of emotions depending on the stage and challenge of the project. In the beginning, I feel excited and curious about the problem I am trying to solve and the possible solutions I can explore. I also feel motivated and determined to do my best and deliver a high-quality design. During the process, I sometimes feel frustrated or stuck when I encounter difficulties or constraints that limit my creativity. I try to overcome these feelings by seeking feedback, researching, or taking a break. I also feel satisfied and relieved when I achieve a breakthrough or complete a milestone. At the end, I feel accomplished and proud of my work, but also humble and open to learn from others and improve my design.

I feel a mix of emotions when my designs are realized. I feel proud of my work and happy that I was able to create something useful and meaningful. I also feel curious and eager to see how the users interact with my design and what feedback they have. Sometimes I feel anxious or nervous about how my design will be received and whether it will achieve its intended goals. I always try to learn from my successes and failures and improve my skills as a designer.

A design is successful when it meets the needs and wants of the client and the user, and is functional, beautiful, sustainable, and innovative. A good design should balance these elements and create a satisfying experience.

Some of the aspects that I consider first when judging a design are:

- The purpose and goal of the design. What problem does it solve? Who is it for? How does it benefit them?

- The usability and functionality of the design. How easy is it to use? How well does it perform? How reliable and accessible is it?

- The aesthetics and style of the design. How does it look and feel? How does it appeal to the senses and emotions? How does it fit the context and culture?

- The sustainability and ethics of the design. How does it impact the environment and society? How does it align with the values and principles of the client and the user?

- The innovation and originality of the design. How does it differ from other existing solutions? How does it challenge the conventions and expectations? How does it demonstrate creativity and vision?

I think the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment are to:

- Consider the social and environmental impact of their design choices, such as the materials, energy, waste, and emissions involved in the production, use, and disposal of their products or services.

- Design solutions that are accessible, affordable, and beneficial for diverse and marginalized groups of people, and that do not reinforce or create inequalities, injustices, or discriminations.

- Involve the users and stakeholders in the design process, and respect their needs, preferences, values, and feedback.

- Promote awareness, education, and action on important social and environmental issues through their design and inspire positive change and behavior.

- Reflect on their own values, motivations, and biases as designers, and be accountable and transparent about their design decisions and outcomes.

I think the design field is evolving in many ways, especially with the integration of technology and social media. Designers have more tools and platforms to showcase their work, collaborate with others, and reach a wider audience. They also have more opportunities to learn from different cultures, contexts, and perspectives, and to address global challenges and needs. I think the future of design is more interdisciplinary, inclusive, and sustainable. I think designers will have to be more adaptable, curious, and ethical, and to balance creativity with functionality and impact.