Interview with Natalie Musorina

Therefore, I create designs for manufacturers but also work on my own projects, like the chair Torsion.

For me design is emotions. Not just a pleasure to see some objects, but emotions from full-circle interaction process, from idea, production, buying, using and finally to reclaiming.

I like complicated problems, their solutions are always more interesting. So, talking about furniture, chairs are my favorite type because interactions with it should include not just static use cases, but also a lot of dynamics. Furthermore it is an object with strongest connections with human body and it is interesting by itself.

It was hookah. Actually the most interesting design area for me is a furniture design, so it was pretty unusual and challenging task.

By now it is plywood. It is wonderful material with a lot of possibilities.

I suppose functionality of object is the most important. However, it is not enough; there should be some idea in my works, combination of different aspects.

It can be the wide range of emotions - from frustration to satisfaction and excitement.

It is an interesting feeling, I cannot really describe it. Something close to delight, but deeper like you are one-step closer to the essence of things.

I suppose it is a combination of different factors - functionality, aesthetic, associations, creating method, context and so on.

Bad, as I have a lot to learn and use possibilities to do it.

Design of surrounding things and space, both material and virtual, partially defines people's behavior. So it is designer's responsibility to think about this influence. But it is also useful to remember that there are a lot of other factors to divide liability. It is really hard topic to discuss, so my motto in it - do your duty, come what may.

My chair "Torsion" is taking part in IF Design Award exhibition in Hamburg, Germany this spring.

It really depends. Sometimes it is a problem I came across, sometimes it is a piece of nature/art/design I would like to interpret as another object, sometimes it is a feature of material I am working with. It can be really everything, even the word or gesture.

I like to work on an interface of art and design and create things that look like sculptures or at least objects that interesting to consider. However, in contrast to art, design is not just how a thing look and emotions it provokes, but how it works. So I always keep in mind functional requirements to create not just something is pleasant to see, but something is pleasant to use.

I am living in Moscow, Russia. Design is a sporadically occurrence here in Russia and it is an advantage and disadvantage at the same time. Disadvantage because environment in general does not form aesthetical principles in people, because during decades there was limited attention to this area, design in general was a second value thing. Advantage because there are a lot of possibilities for young designers. In addition, plywood is cheap here :). Talking about influence, I think everybody is a product of society and surroundings in some way and of course, cultural heritage as a part of it affects me, but I do not think it has a direct impact. Besides now, in the age of the internet, all world’s past and present cultural values are available from every part of the Earth with Wi-Fi access point.

I do not think I can translate it into words, even with my ability to systematize information and the big experience in developing activity diagrams :). There is always something different, every process is unique like an object I am creating.

I do not think I wise enough to teach someone. However, from my point of view, design is a cross-functional area so it is always good to broaden horizons and learn something new every day.

Usually I try to create prototypes for my objects by myself, if I can, and sometimes it is quite hard work. It is the single disadvantage I can say. But I am not the best person to ask such question, I did not choose that job according its pros and cons, but just I could not do otherwise.

Everything should be appropriate.

Ability for creating something new.

It depends on object. From couple of days to years.

My IT-expirience is very important; despite it is not product design area by itself, at least not directly.

I really like all parts of design works, from initial idea to prototyping; there is something very exciting to see how design is changing during that process and how that process leads gradually to a beautiful new object.

I would like to create a set of objects inspired by Naum Gabo's works, like my Torsion rocking chair. Now I am working on coffee tables, but according my plans it will also include another chair, a headboard and some pieces of lighting.

I develope my designs myself.

By e-mail: nmusorina@gmail.com