Interview with Agne Balke
Agnė Balkė is a furniture designer passionate about her work. In her everyday life she is interested in design, music, arts, personal development and other kinds of creativity.
Designer of the Day Interview
16 May 2022
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.
They have their own path and should follow it.
During the process don't forget to listen yourself.
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.
Designers are people who create trend :)
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.
It is a secret :)
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.
Design Legend Interview
16 May 2022
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 chosen by myself without any force
I design non-standard furniture. I'm always open to knew ideas.
Believe in themselves :)
Great designer is more professional than good designer.
In my opinion really good design is timeless. Sometimes it is simple, but great.
I think those products are quality.
I want that my projects could enrich people home interiors worldwide.
If I say, it won't be secret :)
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.
Every design is as a child, so they are all important.
Always try something new, create and play design as a child.
No idea, maybe another kind of creator or performer...
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.
I think that it is not a last stop, because there is a lot of time to improve my skills as a designer during my life.
I would like to answer this question when I will be much older designer, with much more experience :)
Designers shouldn't hide their works. There are are a lot of ways to present their works - to participate in competitions, exhibitions and other opportunities to be seen.
We will see, let it be a surprise :)
When you reach one, you try to reach another bigger "ultimate goal". So there is no stop for ultimate goals.
Quality and that everything would be ok :)
Society gets inspired too :)
Now it is a secret, but with new furniture projects.
Creating my writing desks. For me, writing desk is a very special place where I work, create and sometimes write my new dreams with a cup of tea. Here comes new ideas.
It depends on how complicated project is.
From sketches
Do all your best! :)
Today sometimes it is hard to answer. It is quite similar to when I want to answer: "Which was first - a hen or an egg" :)
Autocad, 3d programs
The main role:)
At first, that it is a great design :) I congratulate designer in my mind who created it.
Yes, I believe.
Me, my colleagues, famous designers...
A lot of visual books and Neufert.
Working and using my skills everyday, learning from mistakes.
With Charles and Ray Eames, Zaha Hadid and other famous creators.
I feel great :)
Color depends on mood, place - sea, other countries, forest, places which inspire. Food - new tastes and good looking food.
A lot of funny things happen all the time :)
Inspiring and interesting projects, learning something new, good working atmosphere, good mood.
I really like music
We could just imagine :)
Designer Interview
16 May 2022
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.
I can not except any design, because I love them all.
A bookshelf
Wood (especially oak), corian, black metal, painted MDF, CNC technology.
When I' am inspired.
Form, function, aesthetics, details, materials, quality.
I feel positively calm and inspired at the same time.
I feel excited, because it is a big pleasure to understand that it finally became a reality.
When it looks great, is sustainable and timeless.
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.
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.
With a smile :)
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.
Writing desk, bookshelf, armchair for reading, floor lamp, rug.
Everyday is different and full of spontaneity, creativity and smile. After work I play drums, guitar or dance.
To listen their intuition and follow their dreams persistently.
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.
To do all the best.
3d thinking, know materials and technologies, good skills in software, feel aesthetics and etc.
Autocad, 3d program, Neufert, furniture elements catalogues everyday and etc.
I don't know, just work till I finish what I have planed.
It depends on size and how complicated it is.
Every experience was important :)
People who need non-standard furniture, architectures and interior designers.
I like interesting fresh projects.
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.
Now it is a secret :)
By my e-mail agne@kitaip.eu