Interviste con Alexey Chugunnikov

In 1999 obtained Master degree in Saint-Petersburg Academy of Art and Design, Industrial Design Department. I still work in the field of industrial design.

I was inspired by wordknown smart design solutions. To create something the same by myself.

My childhood dream was to become an artist, then it led me to design. So it was my personal decision.

now I work at design of TV stands and monitor brackets. But actually i am looking and thinking about design all around me. always find things to improve or do better

look around, be in eternal search! There are so many problems that could be solved by design.

The main difference is skill and experience. And they only come with time and practice.

A design is successful when it is in demand and at the same time invisible in use. When a person interacts with an object intuitively, without any additional means.

The value of good design is maximum comfort for everyone, from the consumer to the manufacturer.

I would like to try myself in developing toys and accessories for children.

I'm waiting for him!

Every product that I create, I pass through myself, I put my soul into it

Many designers are an example for me; their works make me work harder to get closer to their results.

This is usually a minimalist design, it's close to me. I try to work in it myself.

I have developed an item that makes it easier for people with poor eyesight to thread a needle.

Be in constant search of sources of inspiration. Don't stand still, learn and develop.

Perhaps I would be an artist

As I see, design is a comprehensive and concise solution, where functionality, environmental friendliness, manufacturability, ergonomics and aesthetics are the most important elements. Design is a more comfortable world, where for a minimum of means in creation, a maximum in expressing the result.

Thanks to my teachers from the design academy (S.V. Mirzoyan, S.G. Danilov, E.P. Ivanova, etc.) Thanks to them, I am who I am.

It’s hard to call yourself great. This assessment should be given by the users of my design.

I recommend to take part in various competitions, exhibitions and publications. Don’t be afraid of different opinions!

Currently I work on accessories for TV and monitors. Stay tuned for new releases.

Make the world the better place.

Unexpected and smart decisions.

Design that embodies comfort, technology, and beauty will help make society better.

Nowadays we spend more and more time in front of screens and monitors. My task is to make this pastime comfortable and safe. For this purpose, I design aesthetic and practical things.

I enjoy every project I complete. Each of them resonates with me in its own way.

I would like to see new technologies that allow the use of new materials. And also allowing the close use of AI.

Design and its development in the future will be aimed at solving the environmental problems of the planet, in particular, greater use of recycled materials, disposal of used products, recycling, development of new materials and products made from them that are not harmful to nature.

Everything will depend on the complexity of the project. From several days, to several months, years...

I start a project with preparatory work, analyzing the situation and identifying the problem.

Minimum means, maximum expression.

Of course, design sets trends)

Technology plays a critical role in design and material selection.

I use vector editors and 3D design programs in design.

Color, materials, textures, as well as their combinations, are the main elements in design, and have a special role in product design.

People may not ask me any questions, but simply say their opinion and this will be the most valuable thing for me.

Wow, this is great! why it was not me who sugested this solution?!

My best partner is my client who clearly knows what he wants and what he needs. Design is the answer to a clearly stated question.

My teachers, great masters of world design.

Most books I read are about marketing, cause I think that marketing is a significant part of modern design.

observation and practice can do us better.

I would like to meet D. Rams. The greatest designer!

I don’t consider myself a famous person. Every new award is a proof to me that I am moving in the right direction in my design.

I don't want to put myself in any restrictions. My preferences for color, food, place depend on my mood and other circumstances

When work comes easily and naturally. A satisfying result is the best motivation.

It was obvious that I would either become an artist or a musician. When I was a little child I didn't know about such a concept as “design”

My name is Alexey Chugunnikov, born in Leningrad in 1976. I've been an industrial designer for over 20 years. I have experience working in various areas of industrial design and with various materials: from ceramics and wood to leather goods, metal structures and plastic cases. As a child, I wanted to become an artist, so this desire to touch the beautiful led me to design. It's been like that since then)

I am an industrial designer and worked for some time in different companies as a hired employee.

Design is a comprehensive and concise solution, where functionality, environmental friendliness, manufacturability, ergonomics and aesthetics are very important. Design is a more comfortable world, where minimum of means in creation give maximum in the final result.

Each new project is a favorite one, into which you contribute everything that you have managed to acquire and accumulate by this time.

The creation of your favorite project is still ahead, because there is always something that can be changed/simplified over time.

It was more than 20 years ago, and I don’t even remember what it was and for whom. Perhaps it was a medical equipment

I like to work with different materials, but one of my favorites is leather.

I experience greater insight and inspiration in the afternoon.

The main aspect of design is reasonable utility.

During the design process, I catch myself on different emotions: from confusion, during the period of immersion in the problem, to delight when everything is worked out

Every realized project is a pleasure. But there are the most significant works that cause real pride. When I really managed to implement everything I thought about.

A design is successful when it is in demand and at the same time invisible in use. When a person interacts with an object intuitively, without any additional means.

Design must be smart.

When creating his objects, a designer should not create empty and unnecessary things, that is his responsibility!

Design and its development in the future will be aimed at solving the environmental problems of the planet, in particular, greater use of recycled materials, disposal of used products, recycling, development of new materials and products made from them that are not harmful to nature.

All the exhibitions at which I had the honor of being presented were group exhibitions. The last A’Design Award exhibition is in 2023.

Inspiration comes from everywhere. Sometimes it’s the work of colleagues, sometimes it’s nature and the world around us.

It seems to me that my works can be classified as “minimalism”.

I live in Russia, in Saint Petersburg. It is a city full of style, inspiration, creativity! Many great people have lived in this city and left their mark on world culture. Everything here contributes to the creation of something great!

I work with various manufacturers on a contract basis as a lead designer or design consultant.

Custom design is, first and foremost, a joint creative effort between the customer and the designer. When the first clearly knows what he wants and what he needs. And the designer knows the answer to a clearly stated question. While you are searching for a designer learn his portfolio. If you decide he suits you, then just trust!

Each process is created individually and in a special order, depending on the requirements for the task at hand.

These are probably the most necessary items in the house and at the same time the most ordinary ones, such as: a chair, table, lamp, pen, cutlery, door handles, etc.

My day is not much different from the day of an ordinary person. The only exception is that I am a little more observant and is in a constant search for “bottlenecks” in the space around us that I would be happy to fix.

look around, be in eternal search! There are so many problems that could be solved by design.

Both the plus and minus of the profession is the responsibility of the creator. It's important to keep this in mind every time you design.

Minimum means, maximum expressions.

The designer must have intuition and empathy.

From hand-drawn sketches to 3D modeling programs and simple prototyping tools, depending on materials and technologies.

Yes, it's true. The process is not fast and requires a lot of immersion.

Everything will depend on the complexity of the project. From a few days, to several months, years...

most often i am asked about my muse. i don't have a clear answer to this question. completely different things and events can serve as inspiration for me

My clients are companies from very various directions: from medical equipment to personal accessories.

I am attracted to laconic design solutions. I believe this is one of the most difficult and demanding projects. Requires maximum skills, understanding of materials and technologies.

I look forward to my future with an independent and sustainable company that will make the world a more comfortable and smarter place to consume.

Collective design, requiring the collaboration of specialists from different fields.

Contact information is in my section on the A’Design website.

https://www.behance.net/chugie6cc

Nowadays people spend a lot of time driving. The dashboard with a speedometer is an important element of the interior of a car, which the driver refers to most often. That’s why it was my inspiration. The speed is a moment. The moments fly one after another... The time is slipping away from us. I hope that Mods clock, that are made in the style of a speedometer, will remind you of the transience of time.

The choice of natural materials is based on the fact that the clocks is an interior item. The main idea is that was the clocks blend in with furniture and the most common interior finishes. The chosen materials were also determined by the production capabilities and manufacturing technology.

Materials to Mods clock were not chosen accidentally. Actually I was leaning towards those materials that can be used in small-scale production. Unfortunately, there are several serious restrictions on potentially used materials and technologies in order to maintain a reasonable cost of the product accompanied by a small print run. As for the material of the exterior frame of the case with a visor the most suitable one was chosen to be MDF. I made my choice taking into consideration the main problems in its manufacturing, which are: first of all, to ensure that the corners are rounded neatly and secondly, that the side panels are rounded for further painting.

Metal was chosen for the notches on the dial not only for the contrast in colors and textures, but also for the temperature of the surface material: warm wood and cold metal. In addition, I prefer natural materials, that’s why I choose only metal instead of plastic. Moreover such similar combination is used in the interior decoration of furniture and cars.

My experience in industrial design was related to various technologies and materials. When I was developing the design of commercial equipment, I studied the properties of the materials I used, such as: wood, MDF, metal, plastic. These materials and their processing technologies are well known to me. That is the reason I have chosen exactly them.

The minimalism in Mods Clock was inspired by the trend of minimalism in interiors, where laconic and functional designs are used. I followed the same direction in design because I really hope my product would fit into this interior decor as organically as possible.

We all need to spend time in complete silence sometimes. At these moments, all our receptors are sharpened. And it happens that even the ticking of a clock can be very distracting. To expand the number of rooms where Mods Clock can be used, I chose a silent mechanism. It will suit even the most sensitive users.

While working on Mods Clock, I conducted a study of wall clock analogs, during which I chose the most optimal dimensions of the case, the size of the hands and the dial. The shape of the clock, the presence of a visor, the size of the notches and hands allow you to read information from various corners and distances in medium-sized rooms. It can be optimally used both in an office and in an apartment.

Mods Clock was designed in the way that a mechanism with and without a pendulum could be inserted into one case. This idea did not come up to me right away, but only during the implementation of the project.

I really hope that the concept of Mods Clock will be appreciated by colleagues. I also sincerely believe that some design solutions used in Mods Clock will be adopted in other projects.