During the pandemic, people all around the world started to work from home. The challenge of this project was to create a desirable object that will upgrade any home office and will make the work from home more pleasant.
01What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?
During the pandemic, people all around the world started to work from home. The challenge of this project was to create a desirable object that will upgrade any home office and will make the work from home more pleasant.
02What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?
In the situation of total chaos of 2020, I wanted to create a little miracle. The idea behind the form was to make something very simple that you just put on the shelf and it works without any additional afford.
03What are your future plans for this award winning design?
I’m looking for collaboration with design and home accessories stores in Europe.
04How long did it take you to design this particular concept?
About 4 months from the first sketches to the final product.
05Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?
The project began on March 2020, at the very beginning of the first lockdown. During this period, I, like lots of people all around the world felt that time has slowed down. Liquid, melted time was the inspiration for Salvador clock.
06Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?
Right now, “Salvador Clock” is a part of my own brand. It is sold both on my website and by resellers in several countries in the world. I’m always open to new suggestions, collaborations, and opportunities.
07What made you design this particular type of work?
I like to create simple and stylish items. Minimum parts – maximum emotions.
08Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?
The design was inspired by the well-known Salvador Dali’s painting “The Persistence of Memory”.
09Who is the target customer for his design?
My target audience is people that appreciate the sophistication of simplicity.
At the very beginning, I aimed this clock for offices and new home offices, which became very popular during Covid-19. However, my customers use the item for decorating not just offices but bedrooms, living rooms, and even dorms.
10What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?
No installation or gluing is required. Just place the clock on the shelf and enjoy.
11How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?
It was very easy. The clock was named after Salvador Dali.
12Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?
Ballpoint pen & white paper, eyes, SolidWorks, utility knife.
13What is the most unique aspect of your design?
The combination of surrealism, minimalism, and the functionality in one object.
14What is the role of technology in this particular design?
I use laser cutting. This technology allows me to produce a small batch without investing in tooling.
15How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?
It is very symbolic for me to submit a design that was done during the lockdown, to the international competition. It will be even more symbolic to participate in Gala Night and meet designers all over the world thanks to this “lockdowned” design.
បទសម្ភាសន៍អ្នករចនា
30 សំណួរ
I was born in Kiev, Ukraine. I was the only child in the family and spent a lot of time alone, painting, drawing, and creating items from different materials. When I was 12, my family moved to Israel.
01Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
I was born in Kiev, Ukraine. I was the only child in the family and spent a lot of time alone, painting, drawing, and creating items from different materials.
When I was 12, my family moved to Israel. The first years in a new country with a different culture and language were not easy for us. At that time, painting and creating became the best and almost the only way for self-expression.
After high school, I decided to study architecture and went to an open day at Bezalel – an academy of art and design in Jerusalem. I accidentally entered the wrong class, where the lecturer talked about the development of products, materials, technologies, and innovation. At that moment, I fell in love with industrial design.
02Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
“Wallaby” is a multidisciplinary design studio in Israel headed by Shelly Agronin. We work with established and new brands to bring product and design visions to life. Our design is about creating a deeper connection between people, the environment, and the things we own.
The studio focuses on metal-origami and origami-like products.
03What is "design" for you?
Beauty + emotions + science + magic = DESIGN
04What kinds of works do you like designing most?
I like to create simple and stylish items. Minimum parts – maximum emotions.
05What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
My favorite design is a metal-origami BULL. The figurine is sold in a flat state that the customer will fold.
It’s really exciting to turn a flat piece of metal into a stylish sculpture using just your hands.
06What was the first thing you designed for a company?
One of the first items I designed for a company was a plastic juice bottle for one of the biggest Israeli companies, “Jafora Tavori”. For a couple of years, it was a nice feeling to see shelves full of copies of my design in the supermarkets.
07What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
My favorite technology in the last decade is metal bending. Even after the development of hundreds of products, the process of transitioning from a two-dimensional layout to a three-dimensional product amazes me every time.
08When do you feel the most creative?
During the early morning hours.
After a meeting with inspiring people.
After reading a good book, visiting new places, or watching a great movie.
When things go wrong, and I’m looking for a positive emotions.
09Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
Emotions, user experience, and the story behind the object.
10What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
It’s usually a mix of high concentration, excitement, and freedom.
11What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
It is always very exciting to hold something in my hands that was once just a napkin sketch a couple of months ago. Launching a new product reminds me of my daughter’s first day in kindergarten when I needed to take a step back and let her go.
12What makes a design successful?
A well-designed object should bring out emotions. Design based on emotions can deeply affect the overall user experience since emotions influence decision making, affect attention and memory, and generate meaning.
13When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
Simplicity, innovation, aesthetic, ease of use, functionality.
14From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
Design is an ability and a responsibility to use skills for good to improve lives, create emotions, and bring people together.
15When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
MAISON & OBJET Paris 2020
16How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
According to my understanding, there is no place for a “pure style” in the contemporary design world. Since, now more than ever, we are open to the entire world and are inspired by it, most designs are very eclectic. So, I don’t think I have a specific style; I would say I have a methodology.
17How do you work with companies?
My work with a company is always a combination of my own philosophy and the client’s philosophy.
This is the case from the very first briefings to consolidate and identify the client’s present and future needs to the translation of the designs into 3d models, technical drawings, and production files.
18What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
Since design is not an exact science, it’s very important that the designer and the company understand the words “good”, “right”, and “beautiful” in the same way.
19What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
Two wall decors by studio Umasqu.
A tiny silver mouse amulet on my working desk made by a Ukrainian designer and ordered on ETSY.
Fossil Philippe Starck watch.
iPad by Apple.
A cardboard sculpture made by my daughter.
20Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
Keep your fire of excitement burning during each project.
21What is your "golden rule" in design?
The designer has to be in love with the creation process.
22What skills are most important for a designer?
Open mind, curiosity, fearless, and professionalism.
23Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
Inspiration: the art of origami, everyday life, Instagram & Google.
24Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
Time management and work-life balance are tough issues for a mother of three. However, the most time-consuming activity is not the design process itself but a lot of distracting things like bureaucracy, production management, WhatsApp, etc.
25How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
It really depends on the project. Sometimes it takes just a couple of weeks, and the very first models are great. In other cases, it may take a couple of months and even years. However, if the initial concept of the product is good, all the next steps come easier.
26What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
How do you come up with new ideas?
27What was your most important job experience?
My most important job experience has been being an independent designer. This is a great opportunity to be responsible for all stages of a product’s life, from the market research, throw concept, design, and production to advertising and selling.
28Who are some of your clients?
Mobileye, DHL, The Israel Museum. Goldwind, Rosseto serving solutions.
29What are your future plans? What is next for you?
Now I’m looking for new and surprising materials for the upcoming foldable collection.
A' Design Award គឺជាពានរង្វាន់រចនាល្អអន្តរជាតិដែលវាយតម្លៃដោយគណៈកម្មការ។ ចូលរួមក្នុង A' Design Award ដើម្បីទទួលបានឱកាសក្នុងការទទួលស្គាល់ដោយគុណសម្បត្តិ ទទួលបានកិត្តិនាម កិត្តិយស និងការផ្សព្វផ្សាយសម្រាប់ការងាររបស់អ្នក។ ដាក់ស្នាដៃរបស់អ្នកសម្រាប់ A' Design Award ហើយប្រកួតប្រជែងដើម្បីឈ្នះ A' Design Prize ដ៏គោរពរាប់អាន។
