Interview with Andreas Kioroglou

I wanted to be an Architect but I didn't make it to the exams and I ended up studying Graphic Design. I always loved to draw though.

I became a designer by accident.

I think "design legend" is an extreme phrase. Young designers should avoid following a design style and to pursue their own style, follow their dreams, work hard and above all beleive on their abilities no matter what.

A good designer offer solutions that work. A great designer inspires everyone with his work.

A great design should have something new to offer. Something that has not been tried before.

Because it is proven by studies that drives results.

Never stand still.

I would have been an architect or a sculptur.

My wife. She was next to me on highs and lows.

The most important ingredient I think is that I do not like to follow trends.

The biggest obstacle was to beleive in myself. That's why young designers should believe in themselves even when they fail. It's part of the process.

In a way that everyone could understand.

Matadog designs together with GIVE, a great team of engineers with experience in automotive industry and F1 a new motorbike. This is one of the most exciting projects I have designed.

To provide unique solutions in a way that has never been tried before.

To design something unique for their brand, something they haven't dreamed of.

Design thinking can improve our society. There are many examples out there.

A project that I was working for 2 years is Viupax footwear packaging. A revolutionary Patented shoe packaging that is cost efficient in matters of production and transportation. In the way it has been designed, it makes it possible to reduce packaging cost of up to 50%, reduce freight costs up to 50%, while improving both user experience and personnel productivity in the retail environment. More info can be found at http://www.viupax.com

The projects that was multi-awarded. It feels great when a project you love are recognized by the industry.

I hope not designs produced by computers with Artificial Intelligence.

It depends on the project and complexity.

Research.

Be different.

It's very important. However, I strongly believe that a designer should first learn to sketch by hand and then use the computer.

It really depends on the project. I could use markers, 3D software, clay, 2D design software etc.

Very important. Imagination is everything though.

How did you think of that?

What was the thinking process behind it.

A design partner should be passionate, unselfish, positive, hard working, fair and should have the opposite design style.

Books related to design and life in general.

By improving myself as a person and my design skills.

Alexander the Great, Pericles, Leonardo Da Vinci and Salvatore Dali.

It's nice to be recognized for all your hard work.

Blue, Santorini, Pasta, Summer, my iPad and Ferrari.

As I child, I was drawing all the time. My dream was to become an Architect. But life had other plans for me. I studied design but the thing is that I allways liked to play with forms and this is something that I still enjoy doing to many of my projects. It

Matadog Design is a design studio in Greece specialized in branding, packaging and product design. Our goal is to provide unique solutions for our customers.

I love packaging and product design most. I love to design objects that people interact with.

When I am balanced and when a project or client passion inspires me.

Form, usability and aesthetics.

Pleasure.

Usability, aesthetcs

To find the most sustainable version of the design solution that is consistent to creative brief and does not compromise aesthetics.

Designing better products more sustainable that cost less to produce.

To be honest, I do not like the term "design styles". My point of view is that a designer should not have a certain design style aka "repeating himself" but to be open to new inputs, experiments reducing this way the risk to become outdated.

I live in Greece. I would say No, the cultural heritage doesn't affect my designs. Greece the last 8-9 years is in crisis so it is very difficult to design under these circumstances.

Companies should see designer past works. However there are upcoming talents that do not have a protfolio yet and deserve to be considered. I remember when I founded Matadog Design and the company had no protfolio to show and it was very tough to be considered as an option. So, companies should not disqualify new talents, it's risky though.

Trust yourself. You can do it.

Positives: Creation, communication
Negatives: pressure, limited free time

Ethics, grounded, hard working.

It depends of complexity. From 3 months to 2 years.

I depends. Some projects are designed solo while other projects are the result of team work.

Actually, there are 2 projects that I love and will be published in the next year or so. The first one is Viupax, a patented revolutionary footwear packaging that is more sustainable than conventional shoe boxes and cost less to produce and transport. You can check www.viupax.com for more info. The second project is the design of a motorbike. Hopefully, by late 2018 will be in production.

They can get in touch via Matadog Design contact form.