Design Legend Interview
50 Froen
I am an architect by education (I am a graduate of The Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture), but decided to shift to the area of design as I feel that I was born to create new spaces and objects.
Could you please tell us a bit about your design background and education?
I am an architect by education (I am a graduate of The Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture), but decided to shift to the area of design as I feel that I was born to create new spaces and objects.
What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?
I have come to design through architecture, I feel the necessity to transform the world around me by creating new things.
Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?
It was my personal choice.
What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?
Interiors, product and fashion. Most of all I like to give a new life to old objects wchich I found ocasionally.
What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?
Work hard, be open-minded, follow trends and design legends but try to say a new word.
What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?
Good designer creates for customers, great designer creates for the world.
What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?
Good design brings comfort and harmony, improve the quality of life, makes you happier. Good design item has its own soul.
What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?
Good design reflects its creator, it speaks to the world. Listen, it can bring a specific accent to your life. You invest just money but you get much more: the soul of the person who created design.
What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?
Unforgetable items for various spaces with characters.
What is the dream project you haven't yet had time to realize?
I'd like to create a great performance - fashion show with fantastic design items (for example, lighting objects).
What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?
Follow your dream, never give up! If I decide I do, there is not such a word as impossible!
Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?
Karim Rashid and Arne Jacobsen.
What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?
Dutch design, particulally Egg of Chair by Jacobsen. I lived in Copenhagen for two years and falled in love with this city, atmosphere and Dutch design.
What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?
My Egg Chair of Concrete, as it is my personal reinterpretation of classics of modernist era made through my heart.
How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?
Traveled a lot, read a lot, improve my knowledge every day and always try to do something new.
If you hadn't become a designer, what would you have done?
I would become a dancer, sport star or archaeologist.
How do you define design, what is design for you?
The way of thinking and the way of living, every time you try to invent something new, interisting and joyful.
Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?
My parents, the trust of my fother and patience of my mother.
What helped you to become a great designer?
My activity sych as performances and installations: it is just another world which develop your creativity and of course my life in Copenhagen: I understood a lot as for the sphere of design.
What were the obstacles you faced before becoming a design master?
Just time - I am so impatient!
How do you think designers should present their work?
My way is performances and installations. You can easily communicate with the audience.
What's your next design project, what should we expect from you in future?
I dream of fashion show in mixture with product design items. As I already did in Kiev some time ago. it was a fashion show with presantation of light objects made of concrete.
What's your ultimate goal as a designer?
I'd like my brand Solmaz Primavera to be famous all over the world.
What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?
Exclusivity, quality and meaningfulness.
How does design help create a better society?
The beauty saves the world, I believe. It can bring harmony to our life.
What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?
On new products for my customers and on recognition of my brand all over the world.
Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?
Frankly speaking all my design projects gave me satisfaction as I always try to do my best.
What would you like to see changed in design industry in the coming years?
Less borders, more multinational projects.
Where do you think the design field is headed next?
To deversity, simplicity and social ,]meaningfulness.
How long does it take you to finalize a design project?
It depends, sometimes it is just a week, but sometimes it takes a lot of time.
When you have a new design project, where do you start?
From idea.
What is your life motto as a designer?
Never give up, go on!
Do you think design sets the trends or trends set the designs?
Design sets trends, you cannot really succeed if you just follow trends.
What is the role of technology when you design?
There is no quality design without technology.
What kind of design software and equipment do you use in your work?
ArhiCAD, 3D Max.
What is the role of the color, materials and ambient in design?
Color gives mood, materials give tactile sensations, ambient dictates.
What do you wish people to ask about your design?
How I have come to idea to use such materials as concrete, rebar and other industrial materials in my projects.
When you see a new great design or product what comes into your mind?
I get inspired and often I often helps me to find my way.
Who is your ideal design partner? Do you believe in co-design?
I prefer to work alone, to create mainstream, but I beleive in a good team.
Which people you interacted had the most influence on your design?
My father, my professors and some of my friends.
Which books you read had the most effect on your design?
"Le Corbusier: textes et planches", "The way we live with color" by Stafford Cliff, Gilles De Chabaneix
How did you develop your skills as a master designer?
I travell a lot, read a lot, have practice with performances and installations.
Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?
With Brad Pitt as the architecture and interior design are two of his greatest passions.
How do you feel about all the awards and recognition you had, is it hard to be famous?
Not at all!
What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?
Colors: white, yellow and turquoise. Places: Manhattan, Tokio and Copenhage. Food: asiatique and sushi. Season: Summer and golden fall. My other passions are diamonds and Range Rover. My favourite brands are Puma and Louis Vuitton.
Please tell us a little memoir, a funny thing you had experienced as a designer?
The reaction of people to my bold ideas are sometimes funny/
What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?
I always try to be positive, even a small simple thing can make me happy. Creating without financial constraints can give me freedom.
When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?
Yes it was. It is not a joke as I always liked to draw and costruct lego houses.
What do you think about future; what do you see will happen in thousand years from now?
Maybe people will live on another planet.
Please tell us anything you wish your fans to know about you, your design and anything else?
My design inspires me, it inspires me to live. I always try to be positive to people and share my knowledge. I will never give up, never stop on the way to my dream.
