Interview with Salvita Bingelyte

Creativity runs in my mother’s side of the family. Therefore, I’ve always had a passion for art since my childhood. And now, I live and breath graphic design. It is my lifestyle.

My design style is modern classic with an aesthetic angle. I focus on aesthetics first, then uniqueness and practicality.

For me, it is most fulfilling to know that a brand I created is well received and popular in the marketplace. When I design, I feel overflowing with energy, fully charged.

I have a great passion for cooking, maybe that’s why I have many clients from the food and beverage industry. I also do food styling – It’s my hobby. Music is my main inspiration. I often go to classical music concerts. During a concert, many beautiful ideas are born. When it comes to concentrating and generating ideas, I always listen to Mozart, Čiurlionis or Merula.

I’ve always dreamed of having my own creative agency, but I was afraid to take the steps to get there. Lithuanian modesty, a result of the Soviet Union, prevents you from standing out from the crowd. I’m from this Soviet generation where individuality wasn’t encouraged, but actually discouraged. This way of thinking left a deep impression upon me. However, I’ve overcome this obstacle and my time has come. I’m confident with lots of experience, energy and a desire to grow.My goal is to be an international design studio focusing on visual content that is simple but innovative with a long lasting value for clients.

I advice to be patient, stand out and dream big.Positive: creative work is interesting and fun, your work can be seen worldwide, you can work anywhere in the world, work for yourself or on a team. Negative: If you are a freelancer, you do not have financial stability and you must be a designer, manager, seller and accountant all in one.

"Golden rule" in design is to listen to your customer. To be on time. Ahead of schedule is even better.

First of all, I always keep up on market research and trends. I want to make sure my design work always stands out from the crowd. With that in mind, I identify my client's needs, start the creative process, show them the design work, collect feedback and the final version.

I follow social media channels, so I keep up with latest design trends. Music is my muse, especially classical.

Synergy between fonts, layouts and illustrations is key to a great design.

Great design will give you a visual way of communicating what you do. It demonstrates quality and builds trust. If design is attractive there’s a very good chance you’ll be more successful, will help you sell more.

One of my recent projects, “The Mood”, has quickly gained popularity with customers in the market place as well as receiving global attention in the design community. This project was to create branding and packaging for an International coffee company’s single origin, premium Arabica beans. The Mood coffee packaging is great, because it stands out, demonstrates quality, helps to sell more and has gold A' Design award.

These design legends inspire me: Michael Bierut, Christoph Niemann, Vilmantas Marcinkevicius, Pijus Burakas

I love my city Vilnius in Lithuania.Lithuania is a small country, and not many people know about it, so all of my Lithuanian clients want to avoid national aspects to their brands. These brands sell in the EU and other countries, so the design has to be suitable for all markets.

Design is my lifestyle. For me it is easy to work. Currently, we are three designers, but are in the process of expanding. I collaborate with illustrators.

I want to create something new and unique, that people will be talking about it and remember it.

When I created these packages, everybody liked them. I realized that this is a unique design and I should submit to an international design competition. I learned that synergy between fonts and illustrations is key to a great design. I should dream big and take part in design competitions boldly. A' Design Award is great! It is a honor to be the Designer of the Day, I'm so happy.

I live and breath graphic design. It is my lifestyle.

When I was at school, I already knew I wanted to become a graphic designer.

I particularly enjoy designing packaging, branding and print design. For me, it's always challenging and helps me grow as a designer.

Be patient, stand out and dream big.

When people are talking about your design and remember it.

Synergy between fonts, layouts and illustrations is key to a great design.

Great design will give you a visual way of communicating what you do. It demonstrates quality and builds trust. If design is attractive there’s a very good chance you’ll be more successful, will help you sell more.

I would do all the design for everybody, because I really love what I do.

It is a secret, I will do it this year.

My secret is a visionary thinking.

Michael Bierut, Christoph Niemann, Vilmantas Marcinkevicius, Pijus Burakas

I like design solutions that can surprise me with simplicity and uniqueness. Then realize that not all ideas in the world are yet to come up.

The Mood coffee packaging is great, because it stands out, demonstrates quality, helps to sell more and has gold A' Design award.

Be patient, stand out, listen to your customer and be on time.

Salesperson

Design not only has to be beautiful, but practical. You should never mislead the customer, making them believe they’re getting something they’re not. The design should also always be realistic and straight forward: easy to read, easy to understand, easy to use. People lead busy lives and don’t always have time for reading instructions or finding out how to open a package.

I reached everything myself. My biggest supporters were my best friends.

Pertinacity

If you are a freelancer, you do not have financial stability and you must be a designer, manager, seller and accountant all in one.

Designers should put their work in social media platforms, portfolio websites like Behance, Dribble and of course to participate in design competitions.

It's a secret.

My goal is to be a great designer and to be an international design studio focusing on visual content that is simple but innovative with a long lasting value for clients.

They expect me to create something magical.

Our responsibility is to create a more beautiful world that does not violate anyone's rights and does not harm the environment.

I love to expand my recent coffee packaging project "The Mood".

One of my recent projects, “The Mood” coffee packaging, because I won gold A' Design award and got so many good feedback.

I like the fact that more attention is now given to general fulfillment than to trends.

It’s nice to see that graphic design and packaging is becoming more simple and refined.

It depends on a project. Usually 3-6 months. The longest project lasted a year.

First of all, I always keep up on market research.

I'm searching for something new all the time.

I think both sides are right.

In my work it takes 50%.

I use Mac computer, camera, mobile phone, Adobe programs.

Everything must be cohesive and harmonious.

What was the biggest challenge?

Why did not I come up with such an idea?

I don't have that yet, but I'm looking.

My teachers in university had the biggest influence on my design understanding.

Michael Evamy "Logotype" and "Symbol" were like a designer's bible.

I work a lot and my sources of inspiration are: Instagram, Pinterest, magazines, travelling, music. It is important not to stop at one place.

Nelson Mandela

I feel fantastic! It's not hard to be famous.

My favorite color - nude, place - my home, food - healthy, season - summer, thing - sunglasses and brand - Apple

When one customer sent different pricing requests for half a year, finally I said to him doubled prices that I did not want to work with them, and they agreed. We are still working together.

When customers are satisfied, I feel happy.

It was obvious that I would become a designer.

I think the robots won't take our creative work and the designer's work will always be relevant.

Believe in yourself and dream big!

In 2010, I started a freelance design studio, Salvita Design. Currently, we are two designers, but are in the process of expanding. I dedicate myself to every project and always try to see through the eyes the customer. I’m interested in long-term projects because I care about every aspect of the process including how well the products are selling, customers’ reactions and feedback as well as room for improvements. I encourage my clients to think outside the box, by doing so, we push each other and grow together. I care about every aspect of the process and beyond. For me, there is never an end to a project.

Design not only has to be beautiful, but practical. You should never mislead the customer, making them believe they’re getting something they’re not. The design should also always be realistic and straight forward: easy to read, easy to understand, easy to use. People lead busy lives and don’t always have time for reading instructions or finding out how to open a package.

I particularly enjoy designing packaging, branding and print design. For me, it's always challenging and helps me grow as a designer.

One of my recent projects, “The Mood”, has quickly gained popularity with customers in the market place as well as receiving global attention in the design community. This project was to create branding and packaging for an International coffee company’s single origin, premium Arabica beans. The goal was to appeal to a new generation of coffee drinkers: hipsters with old school style and a little extra money in their back pocket, interested in the complex flavors of coffee, similar to a fine wine or craft beer. To attract their attention, the design showcases five different hand drawn, vintage inspired and slightly realistic monkey faces, each one representing a different coffee from a different region. On their head, a stylish, classic hat. These dapper monkeys imply quality and sophistication, exactly what our target market is looking for.The memorable monkey faces can easily transpose to products like tea and chocolate as well as marketing items such as t-shirts and mugs, making everything cohesive.

It was a logotype for a hotel spa. They loved it because they're still using it now, 15 years later.

I love Instagram. I can tell my story, my life, the way I see the world...visually.

Music is my muse, especially classical.

Aesthetics first, then uniqueness and practicality.

I feel overflowing with energy, fully charged.

For me, it is most fulfilling to know that a brand I created is well received and popular in the marketplace.

When people are talking about it and remember it.

Synergy between fonts, layouts and illustrations is key to a great design.

Our responsibility is to create a more beautiful world that does not violate anyone's rights and does not harm the environment.

It’s nice to see that graphic design and packaging is becoming simpler and more refined.

I have yet to hold an exhibition, but I'm ready.

Music is my main inspiration. I often go to classical music concerts. During a concert, many beautiful ideas are born. When it comes to concentrating and generating ideas, I always listen to Mozart, Čiurlionis or Merula.

My design style is modern classic with an aesthetic angle.

I’ve always dreamed of having my own creative agency, but I was afraid to take the steps to get there. Lithuanian modesty, a result of the Soviet Union, prevents you from standing out from the crowd. I’m from this Soviet generation where individuality wasn’t encouraged, but actually discouraged. This way of thinking left a deep impression upon me. However, I’ve overcome this obstacle and my time has come. I’m confident with lots of experience, energy and a desire to grow.

As in personal relationships, I believe that mutual trust is key in client relationships. I dedicate myself to every project and always try to see through the eyes the customer. I’m interested in long-term projects because I care about every aspect of the process including how well the products are selling, customers’ reactions and feedback as well as room for improvements. I encourage my clients to think outside the box, by doing so, we push each other and grow together. Design is organic and always changing. The client knows they can count on me, now and in five years from now.

Find a designer whose portfolio you like and then trust their capabilities, experience and talent. The more information you provide, the faster you'll get the results you want.

First of all, I always keep up on market research and trends. I want to make sure my design work always stands out from the crowd. With that in mind, I identify my client's needs, start the creative process, show them the design work, collect feedback and the final version.

iMac, green chair, handmade carpet, glass vase, Novum magazine

It is hard to describe, every day is different, because I do not like monotony. I'm searching for something new all the time.

Be patient, stand out and dream big.

Positive: creative work is interesting and fun, your work can be seen worldwide, you can work anywhere in the world, work for yourself or on a team. Negative: If you are a freelancer, you do not have financial stability and you must be a designer, manager, seller and accountant all in one.

Listen to your customer.

To be on time. Ahead of schedule is even better.

I use Mac computer, camera, mobile phone, Adobe programs. Sources of inspiration: Instagram, Pinterest, magazines, travelling, music.

It's a secret.

It depends on the project. Usually 3-6 months. The longest project lasted a year.

What are your inspirations?

One of my recent projects, “The Mood” coffee packaging.

My clients range from small companies to large corporations, locally and abroad. I have a great passion for cooking, maybe that’s why I have many clients from the food and beverage industry.

I like complicated work, which challenges me to grow.

My goal is to be an international design studio focusing on visual content that is simple but innovative with a long lasting value for clients.

Currently, we are three designers, but are in the process of expanding.

By e-mail or phone.