Interview with Annamaria Mikulik
Annamaria Mikulik, the designer focusing on contemporary jewelry. She graduated from The Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava, Slovakia.
Designer of the Day Interview
16 May 2019
I went through the study of toy design, product/conceptual design and interior design. I worked as an interior designer and participated in some very interesting projects starting with interiors for individuals to hotels. By designing aesthetics into objects of everyday use, the designer's work often involves a lot of different design industries. I started working on design jewelry because I consider it to be miniature objects. Small-scale design.
I come from an artistic family. I was lucky that my parents supported my talent and helped me develop it. During my studies at an art school, I started to profile as a designer. My technical skills helped me to apply principles to objects of everyday use. Since my childhood I wanted to be a jeweler like my mom. These diverse studies have enriched my abilities, and yet my desire eventually brought me back to designing jewelry.
My favorite technical tool is my imagination. Knowing the objects to imagine in my mind can save me a lot of time. The longest is the technical phase of the project, when the production options and technical parameters need to be adapted to the object that is designed by me. The cherry on the cake is then photography, writing the concept and presenting the work with the feeling of fulfillment.
Sometimes the beginning is very painful. I try to let the thoughts run during normal day activities. Sometimes it may look like I'm not working, but on the contrary. I'm recording my thoughts and suddenly it clicks. And I know it's it. With the eyes closed and the imagination, I design the details and recording technical parameters is a breeze. The feeling of satisfaction when I hold the product in my hands is priceless.
I've always liked to be different. Most people try to fit into the crowd. Being the designer, it's the other way around. Being different and not being afraid to stand out is our profession.
I want to continue doing jewelry. Create specific designs and the beauty that shines customers' eyes.
The easiest way is to create your own designs. Not burdened by client requests. But many times it is not possible. The hardest work of a designer is to adapt to clients who have specific requirements. Don't be distracted from the path of good design. Look for common solutions, but always so that you are not ashamed to sign your project.
Believe in your abilities. There is a very true saying. "Fake it until you make it." Until you believe yourself, others can't believe you.
I get up early in the morning. I enjoy the silence and plan daily activities. I excercise, drink coffee and eat a small breakfast. I learn a foreign language at least for ten minutes. During the day I try to keep my goals and dreams in mind and to work purposefully and efectively. Everything starts with a dream. I work many times in the evenings when the silence comes back and I can concentrate fully again.
I stick with my own personal design style. I like to create timeless pieces that does not subject to trends. I get my inspiration form history. Principles that are time-tested.
A good design is a shape or principle stylized to the max.
When Im satisfied with the design. When I finish it into details and further improvements would no longer benefit it.
The design I am most proud of is my winning project Nature - Fake Illusions. It helped me get technical, presentation, professional experiences and A design awards. I am pleased to be able to reproduce this environmental concept to the wider public.
The best designers are our ancestors, whose technical inventions have affected our lives. I admire humanity's ability to come up with new, innovative ideas.
It is our designers' duty to embellish and improve the lives of others. We all belong to a community where everyone has a role. We create a unique mechanism, and we are able to influence social phenomena in good. Therefore, we must not forget the responsible role of our work.
I design myself and work with colleagues from other specific design industries. I prefer to work alone. So I can work undisturbed on creative projects and not be influenced by the easthetics and opinions of someone else. My philosophy is to create products that bring beauty and aesthetics to peoples lives. Of course, it is important to respect ethical and environmental principles.
It is always a very good idea to help each other. Many knowledgeable designers can effectively help the younger ones. Sometimes I engage myself in projects to help people and try to make my design beneficial to those who would not normally be able to afford it.
Its a feeling of fulfillment and appreciation, joy. Getting a lot of valuable experience, presenting work to the wider public. Gaining such awards is a hallmark of quality for every designer, and I think customers see it as positive and appreciate it. It is the foundation on which to build. Design competitions can inspire, move and show new horizons. Being a designer of the day is a very gratifying feeling.
Design Legend Interview
20 October 2019
I come from an artistic family, which has helped me develop my craftsmanship and ambition to make my own designs come to life. I was greatly influenced by my parents‘ work, their sculptures and the enamel jewelry they were creating.
Its very uplifting to see the eyes of customers „bling“.
I wanted to become a jeweller - enameler like my mother what led me through artistic studies. Having a great design teachers has helped me develop design skills and encouragd me to continue to be a designer. She have joined my dreams together to become a jewelery designer.
I created few minimalist jewelry collections and jewels combining enamel and precious metals.
Set higher goals and try to reach them.
The ability of simplifying things to the maximum.
It should have a great concept that goes hand in hand with sophisticated shapes.
Good design enhances human aesthetic perception and makes life easier.
I don't know if we shouldnt go back to the more ancient principles in some things. Many modern mechanisms deprive us of the time and substance of problems. Sometimes the simplest solutions are the best.
Designing more toys.
Try to be different, innovative and try to stand out from the crowd.
Art nouveau jewellers. Simplicity in lines and shape innovation in these times is amazing. Also enamel was used as one of the main materials in this period.
I like that each of my colleagues is different and therefore his approach to design is original and unique.
I am proud of my unique packaging that won first place in the international packaging design competition. I like how I managed to create something sophisticated from a simple principle.
Its about practice and imagination the ability to look around.
Archaeologist or geologist.
Its an ability to bring aesthetics and utility to everyday objects.
My design teachers and parents (artists).
Practice and knowledge.
One can have a lot of ideas, it's about practice to know which one is worth developing.
An important task of designers is to cultivate others to surround themselves with objects of high aesthetic value.
Creating more minimalist jewellery collections.
I would like to create more objects that would help people, beautify their lives and bring them a deep aesthetic fulfillment.
Great presentation, quality work and professionalism.
I think that designers should not forget the ecology and its principles. I am pleased that we do not forget the important issues that are also in our competence to influence them in some way.
I am pleased to develop and find new connections of ancient enamel technology and modern shapes.
The ones I've been thinking about for a long time, and I've had to make a lot of effort to finish them.
I would like many things to simplify and return to traditional principles and solutions. Sometimes the simplest principles are the most effective.
Going back to traditional and revalueing them.
It depends on material and purpose, production options, production times, cooperation and presentation purpose.
Keeping the mind playful and open is crucial. Hiding into the inner world and diving into imagination is the most important part of designing.
Keeping things stupid-simple.
In my opinion, design sets the trends.
I try to use traditional techniques .. for example enameling... eternal and precious material.
My imagination.
It all influence the feeling of the object.
About the concept.
I admire all inovative coleagues.
It depends on design partner. Sometimes he helps to consult with colleagues.
Close family.
Art nouveau
Its a long process. Practice, errors and trials. Most important is the ability to separate usefulness from uselessness. Creating things with a picture of eternal beauty in mind. Keeping things as simple as possible. Sometimes the easiest solutions are the best.
I would like to meet some encestors inovators.
Its more important to keep doing great work. Its nice feeling to be honored for your work but its not the target.
Powder pink, my mind, creme brule, spring,
Knowledge that there are so many people on the planet. Sometimes it happens that few different people have similar ideas at the same time.
Its important to keep dreams in mind. Everything starts with a dream.
Sure and being encouraged by parents to strenghten the artistic skills was the base to the profession.
People will always have a need to be surrounded by beauty. The forms or technologies may change but there will always be a need.
I create designer jewelry for people to enjoy beauty. I wish my designs to brighten their days and fulfill the purpose of creation.
Designer Interview
20 October 2019
I come from an artistic family background, which has helped me develop my craftsmanship and ambition to make own designs come to life. I was greatly influenced by my parents‘ work, their sculptures and the enamel jewelry they were creating.
the design studio is divided into 2 separate departments. The first one is focusing on commercial jewelry lines and the other one stands for creating contemporary jewellery. In my design work, I use precious techniques – enameling / use of everlasting material, which in medieval times were used to create the most valuable jewels.
I always loved miniatures and as a product designer, consider creating jewellery for product miniatures.
The ones which make the eyes of customers „bling“.
Most favourite design is the package with which won the 1st prize on an international packaging competition. The stylisation of this object is taken to an extreme.
The first four collections of NATIF brand. It was very hard and the production and finishing technical details took a lot of time and patiance.
Enamel. The material which she embedded in her work, something she took from mother and grandfather. The eternal and, by its quality everlasting material which is used from medieval times as a very precious jewellery making technique.
Surrounded by beauty of any type. Perceiving and admiring what the world offers.
Simplicity... making design as simple as possible.. striving to maintain its basic function.
Tension and relief of emotions.
Sweet taste of success and satisfaction.
The more people it helps... the better.
Seeing the path... The process which the designer had to go trough to the final point and the way he stylized it.
Keeping things as simple as possible. Sometimes the easiest solutions are the best.
There will always be a need for easthetics surrounding the lifes of all of us.
Being part of JOYA Barcelona Contemporary Jewellery Fair was enriching in many ways. It‘s so far the highest goal reached.
The world is fuller and fuller of millions of sources of inspiration. It‘s important to choose what is necessary and not to allow oneself become affected by things that aren‘t.
Studying toy design made works playful, while going through concept design studies has given the resources to use both the background and the authenticity to imprint own mark into the art world.
It‘s the role of a designer to cultivate the others‘ perspectives. The family and country heritage have deeply effected my work.
Achieving balance between what they need and what is acceptable for a designer to create is crucial.
Perceiving how the designer can balance between the usefulness and aesthetics of a product.
Mind visualisation is preffer to 3D drawing - saves a lot of time.
Silver flute, balet pointies, a piece of a natural artefact in a vase.
Waking up very early, adjusting the daily plan in the quiet morning, starting to work as early as possible, spending quality time with the family, sometimes working in the evening when the quietness arises again. Absorbing the environment and the surrounding life.
Keep your fear of being copied short. There are many people on the planet. Sometimes it happens that few different people have similar ideas at the same time.
Negatives: Being disturbed when surrounded by bad designs, kitch or unmatching colours.Positives: Having the ability to create beauty for others. Helping others to simplify their lives.
Keeping it stupid-simple.
The ability to separate usefulness from uselessness. Creating things with a picture of eternal beauty in mind.
Eyes closed and imagination.
Sometimes you have to wait for the right moment of inspiration. Often working on the same few projects in the same time and going back to them after a while can freshen up your mind and save a lot of time.
Sometimes it all happnes very fast. Crucial is the time preparing the design for production and reducing technological hurdles.
If the holiday is necessary. People confuse designing for playing, and forget it’s a job as hard as any other job, with a background of entire years of studies, trials and errors.
New start of career as business owner and freelancer.
Mostly women who value good design and like to stand out of the crowd.
Keeping the mind playful and open. Hiding into the inner world and diving into imagination.
It’s important to keep the brand useful and delightful for customers. Keeping the traditional forms while coming with some new ideas.
Working as a freelancer and cooperating with external coleagues or companies is always very enriching.
Experimenting with posibilities of enamel is enriching and ful of inspiration.
Via website and social media.
Designer is the one who perceives beauty in a specific way. Sometimes, this is about aesthetics globally. Therefore, they can move and blend their work between design fields gracefully.