Interview with Ignas Survila

The old-school approach to mobility requires innovation. Urban pollution, traffic jams, and climate change are a few of the many problems to solve. These problems resonate deeply with me, and I am already doing my best to tackle it. But it's not enough. I am keen to learn more and have even more power to make an impact.

I have never been forced to become the designer.

I like to create designs that matter. That has a contentful meaning and is sustainable.

Sustainability is the most crucial aspect of design. I genuinely believe that the term "good design" should be changed to "design good". Designers must think not only about the exterior of the item or system. We all should focus on the origin of the materials, ecology, and sustainable supply chain. It is the societal task of a designer to create the future and neither to beautify the presence nor to manipulate consumers.

Being multi-functional, flexible and deep distinguishes the good designer from a great one. Nowadays, the design is not only about the materials you chose, shape, or function you create. On the contrary, it is a super complicated process which involves designer to become a part of marketing, physics, engineering, business, political or social movement, sustainability, advertising, etc.

I think that the question shouldn't be about "good design". I believe that the question should be asked: "how to design in good"? How to build the process, which would be sustainable from A to Z. How to make a supply chain that truly works and how to use materials that are not polluting our planet. These are the questions that should be highlighted.

The design should be a part of the solution, not of the problem. I think that when a designer can achieve making the solution reality, then it is a fantastic accomplishment for everyone.

The term "success" is wrong, I guess. For some people, it could be seen as an enormous success, while for others, it could be just a normal process. Therefore, I am always trying to avoid such exaggerations. In design, I try to reject as many unnecessary details and leave the essence of the product. It's probably the hardest part, but I believe that consumers like the simplicity.

Dieter Rams, Jony Ive, James Dyson.

I love reading books. I usually read different types of books, which inspires me a lot. I think that books can inspire people and help to open new opportunities.

My most Favorite Books in 2019: ‘The Shallows What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains’ by Nicolas Carr. ‘Walk Through Walls: A Memoir’ by Marina Abramovic. Trilogy by Yuval Noah Harari (Sapiens, Deus, 21 lessons) ‘Factfulness’ by Hans Rosling. ‘Zero to One’ by Peter Thiel. ‘Fear: Trump in the White House’ by Bob Woodward. ‘Start with Why’ by Simon Sinek. ‘Shoe Dog’ by Phil Knight.

Lately, I was the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Unicorn Scooters and have long been inspired to work on last-mile transportation solutions in large part. Throughout my career, I have been at the forefront of innovative transportation solutions. Most recently as a pioneer in the kick scooter industry serving as Chief Executive Officer of Citybirds Sarl and General manager at Citybirds Sarl Lithuanian Branch. During four years I helped Citybirds to design, develop and launch four different sustainable products from the idea to the mass production, developed and executed short/long-term business strategies, created supply chain strategy, sales strategy, investor decks, and financial roadmaps. Moreover, I helped to attract investors to invest in Citybirds, and together with a fantastic team, we launched a successful crowdfunding campaign. Finally, I have successfully sold my part of the company to the investors from Switzerland. Citybirds, together with Unicorn Scooters, has been awarded 15 worldwide known design awards, including two Red Dots and three A'Design Awards.

Nowadays, the design is not only about the materials you chose, shape, or function you create. On the contrary, it is a super complicated process which involves designer to become a part of marketing, physics, engineering, business, political or social movement, sustainability, advertising, etc. I am genuinely grateful and happy to be a part of this fantastic ecosystem, and I am enjoying creating a better routine for all the people around the globe.

The old-school approach to mobility requires innovation. Urban pollution, traffic jams, and climate change are a few of the many problems to solve. These problems resonate deeply with me, therefore, this is the field I like designing the most.

One of the first things I have designed was the Medal for the Nike Marathon. It was such a fantastic experience to make the design, which finally appeared in reality. Of course, at that time, I didn't have experience in manufacturing; therefore, the visualization was slightly different from the real one. It was shocking at first, but after some time, I was happy that I could touch, and a lot of athletes still have my medal in their homes.

I do not have a favorite material or technology. I love to have the freedom to learn new things and use different techniques in designing new items.

Everyday. Every single day is a chance for me to do something. Time is the most valuable asset, and I am trying to use it responsibly.

Sustainability is the most crucial aspect of design. I genuinely believe that the term "good design" should be changed to "design good". Designers must think not only about the exterior of the item or system. We all should focus on the origin of the materials, ecology, and sustainable supply chain. It is the societal task of a designer to create the future and neither to beautify the presence nor to manipulate consumers.

The processes are usually very different. I am often trying to design everything based on vast research, and the design is just an outcome of the deep analysis I create. Therefore, there's no much romantics in this process. It's hard, consistent work.

Probably this is the best part of the whole process of design when a designer can finally touch the creation. Brains get a lot of dopamine, and that's a fantastic moment to experience.

The term "successful" is wrong, I guess. For some people, it could be seen as an enormous success, while for others, it could be just a normal process. Therefore, I am always trying to avoid such exaggerations.

In design, I try to reject as many unnecessary details and leave the essence of the product. It's probably the hardest part, but I believe that consumers like simplicity.

I never judge a design as good or bad.

The design should be a part of the solution, not of the problem. Therefore, designers should design responsibly thinking not only about themselves but about the global environment.

It's getting better, but still, there are a lot of problems, especially speaking about the sustainable aspects of the designs that we buy every single day from the shelves. I truly believe that design should be the leader, not the follower. And I hope that it would change.

The last exhibition I participated was in 2019, "Geneva innovations" in Geneva, Switzerland.

I love reading books. I usually read different types of books, which inspires me a lot. Moreover, I am always trying to share my thoughts and listen to other people. It's vital because you can get a lot of essential information about the problems that other people are facing.

My most Favorite Books in 2019:

‘The Shallows What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains’ by Nicolas Carr.
‘Walk Through Walls: A Memoir’ by Marina Abramovic.
Trilogy by Yuval Noah Harari (Sapiens, Deus, 21 lessons)
‘Factfulness’ by Hans Rosling.
‘Zero to One’ by Peter Thiel.
‘Fear: Trump in the White House’ by Bob Woodward.
‘Start with Why’ by Simon Sinek.
‘Shoe Dog’ by Phil Knight.

Contentful. I love to create items that matter. I would like to believe that this could be evident from my works.

I am currently live in Vilnius, a magical, small city in Lithuania. I born there. Thus, Vilnius is an integral part of myself. It has a breathtaking nature as well as cozy streets, and welcoming people. I love my city, and it is a massive inspiration for me.

Usually, I do not work for other companies. I love to experience the whole process from the idea to mass production. Therefore, I am trying to fund my ideas and realize them with my team. Nevertheless, lately, I am trying to help other companies or startups with their struggles and often advise them on business development, marketing, and design.

1.Problem detection.
2.Analysis.
3.Sketch.
4.Consumer feedback collection.
5.Prototype v.1.
6.Consumer test v.1.
7.Modifications according to the consumer feedback v.1.
8.Prototype v.2.
9.Consumer test v.2.
10.Modifications according to the consumer feedback v.2.
11.Prototype v.3.
12.Consumer test v.3.
13.Preparation for the production.

7:00 Wake up
7:00-8:00 Breakfast, Shower, etc.
8:00-8:45 Reading
9:00 At work.
19:00 Run.
20:00 Friends.
22:00 Sleep.

Build things that matter, not the ones that are beautiful looking.

The most positive part of being a designer is that you can help other people to tackle their problems. The negative part is that because of the massive consumerism we are facing today, a lot of designers are creating stuff without thinking about the others, the earth, and sustainability.

Consumers should be in love with your designs, not creator. Being in love with your design creates walls and narrows the view. Therefore, do not become in love with your creation.

Broad thinking, broad knowledge, being self-criticizing, being multi-functional, being flexible.

Pen and paper are usually the starter kit of the creation. The second step is generally physical prototype creation for testing if the idea works in reality. It's an essential part since, on paper or screen, the ideas work all the time. However, it's not true.

Let's define the "End" first. If the end is to render the beautiful picture is one, if it's a prototype is two, but if the product should appear on the shelves, it takes up to two years to design something from scratch to the mass production.

Probably being a Chief Executive Officer of Citybirds Sarl was the most inspiring job experience until now. It was so complex and multifunctional, that I truly believe that it was the greatest school for me.

Lay's, Kent, Kalnapilis, Utena, Baltoji varnelė, ReDirected, Tsarsky Pokrov, Pure brandy, Nike, DnB, Tele2, Panorama, Adobe

The old-school approach to mobility requires innovation. Urban pollution, traffic jams, and climate change are a few of the many problems to solve. These problems resonate deeply with me, and I am already doing my best to tackle it. But it's not enough. I am keen to learn more and have even more power to make an impact. It is, for this reason, I would love to work for some automotive giant and do my best to innovate the field of mobility.

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