I started working as a supervising engineer in housing construction companies. It was then that I realized how architecture and interior design interested me. After three consecutive visits to the " Salone del Mobile" exhibition in Milan, my interest focused on furniture. My enthusiasm for all these ideas and designs that I saw sparked my desire to design furniture.
I don't have much to tell you about my design studio, as it has only been recently that I have built a corporate identity and begun constructing, with outside partners, some of the furniture I've designed.
Design is a way of expression, even a way of life. It comprises my vision of how the world can be more beautiful, more attractive, more interesting, and more functional. It is a bridge that connects the past with the future.
I especially like designing furniture, home furniture or office furniture. I also don't rule out the possibility of designing something else in the future, depending on the stimulus and inspiration I have.
My favorite design is the sofa "LOUVER", for which I received an award in this competition. Its concept was complete to me from the start. No alterations were needed, just improvements on the way its parts could blend. It is a sofa I would gladly put in my house.
My favorite materials are wood and metal. I believe that the combination of these two materials broadens the potential of a design and the possibilities of its utilization.
There is no set time during which I feel most creative. I always have ideas in my mind, which I am constantly processing until they are ready to come to fruition.
I make an effort for my designs to be simple and not complicated by adjusting the individual elements of each one. At the same time I ensure that this simplicity does not downgrade the overall esthetic aspect of the design.
For a project to be successful, it must be original, innovative, stylish, functional and an improvement to lifestyle. Additionally, it must show respect to the environment.
Since a designer can be a society influencer, he has to be very careful with every design proposal he makes. I believe that we ought to work on products and projects that impact the world in a positive way, keeping always in mind the protection of the environment.
I believe that the field of design is evolving rapidly, as there is a lot of competition, stimuli, updates and technological progress. So the future of design is bright!
I haven’t participated in any exhibitions so far. I would like my first entry to be in a big exhibition, of global interest, whenever and wherever possible.
I am inspired by every geometric shape that exists in nature. Of course, I constantly study new design trends, new materials and their applications and new technological developments. I also receive inspiration from observing the creations of other designers, although, of course, I always want to maintain my originality.
My design style is modern. It is characterized by refined lines, minimalist silhouettes and natural shapes. I aspire to break away from the standard method of furniture manufacturing by avoiding the use of screws, nails, pins, glue or other such materials. I design furniture with parts that are assembled and joined together in elaborate ways, to produce high-quality elegant pieces that in no way lack in sturdiness and durability.
I live in Greece. I believe that designing does not thrive in my country, although there are many great Greek designers, awarded and renowned abroad. We have not yet overcome some prejudices and as a result, commercial activity in terms of design is somewhat denigrated. Of course it's never too late.
I haven't had the chance to work with a company yet, but it is something that I would be very interested in. I believe that a good partnership is based on a common vision, a common policy, trust and mutual goals towards progress and recognition. I would very much like to work with a company that holds these ideals.
I believe that a company should share common philosophies and ideas of aesthetics with the designers it chooses. The criteria should be the professionalism and consistency of each designer-partner.
A design starts with an idea that quickly becomes an image in my mind. I first sketch it. Often I create a model to see how the design works as a small-scale construction. Then I use design programs, such as Autocad, to perfect the design, and 3dsmax to add textures and materials to give it a photorealistic effect.
My 5 favorite designer items in my home are the following:
1. A leather "butterfly" chair
2. Alessi’s famous citrus-squeezer " Juicy Salif", designed by Philippe Starck
3. A floor lamp called "Cage", which I designed
4. The Colombo handles named "Fedra" on the interior doors of my house
5. The black vintage dining set" Fer Forge", which has glass surface and pop-art fabric.
An average day in my life includes a lot of designing, as I work for a company that constructs exhibition stands. When I am done there, I design my own projects. I spend the rest of my time with my family, my lovely wife and my beloved son.
Young designers must have passion and faith in what they are doing. They have to overcome their insecurity and not be influenced by any negative comments. They should work hard and try for the best.
Positives: the joy of creativity, the ability to set my own schedule, the autonomy it provides me.
Negatives: the fact that I sometimes have to struggle for inspiration.
The architectural design of a house and being solely in charge of the construction of the project and its interior decoration. It was a very important experience because I took it on from scratch and brought it to its completion.
I am fascinated by the stage when I have finished with the design part and I am ready to try textures, materials and colors in the design to see it in its final shape.
If truth be told, I am wondering this myself. I am anxious to see what follows after my success at the A’ Design Award and to learn what this accomplishment holds for me. Of course, at the first opportunity I intend to take part in exhibitions and promote my designs by any means possible.
I have some works- in- progress but they are not yet completed. I’d rather keep them as surprises or maybe include them the next time I participate in the A’ Design Award.
After completing my bachelor’s degree in industrial infrastructure engineering, I started working as a supervising engineer for housing construction companies. Even though I had always had a calling for drawing and design, it was then that I realized how much architecture and interior design interested me. I started to attend courses to become familiar with design and drafting software applications and some architecture courses as well, in order to develop some ideas of my own.
After three consecutive visits to the " Salone del Mobile" exhibition in Milan, my interest focused on furniture. My enthusiasm for all these ideas and designs that I saw sparked my desire to design furniture.
It is in my nature to be an artist and design is my way of art. I need to feel the joy of creation and to express myself through it. I became a designer for the joy the manifestation of one’s designs bring. I want to leave my own legacy in the field of design.
It was my choice to be a designer. I think it would not work if I had been forced to become one. I had always been, and still am involved in music professionally but long hours at construction sites and in front of a laptop hindered that endeavor. I had to find another way to be creative and release that energy.
I have no restrictions on what I might design in the future. What is certain is that so far all my ideas and visions have been for furniture and I would like to evolve in that field.
Young designers must have passion and faith in what they are doing. They have to overcome their insecurity and not be influenced by any negative comments. They should work hard, try for the best and take risks.
A good designer has good ideas that usually need to be improved. A great designer pays attention to every detail of his design, so he can give a flawless result. Α great designer is always a source of inspiration and a role model for a good designer.
I think that details make the difference between a really good design and a good design. A good design must be smart, innovative, functional and timeless.
Having nothing to lose. Being secluded in Greece, far from major design hubs and communities, all I could do was follow my heart and intuition, without any contact of feedback and the pressures that come with it. I had nothing to prove and no idea of my worth. So I guess you just have to do what feels right, and if it sticks it sticks.
Some of my favorite designs by other designers are:
1.Filoferru chair by Robby Cantarutti and Partners
2.Inkline collection by Karim Rashid
3.Bucefalo sofa by Emanuele Canova
And many more…
I like them because of their aesthetics. Amazing ideas that I would have loved to have designed myself!
My greatest design is "LOOVER" sofa. The uniqueness of this sofa is a result of the way it is assembled. Its parts are separate and detachable, connected together in a way that does not require the use of tools, while this does not affect negatively on its static balance and sturdiness. For this reason the assembling and disassembling of this sofa is extremely simple and uncomplicated, done without the need of nuts, bolts, screws, glue or other such materials.
Many people are artists and can come up with beautiful designs. Like I said the trick is to get the design to be useful, sturdy, economical, long lasting. You have to test it, use it yourself, live with it, constantly improve it. I think it is intuitive.
Design is a way of expression, even a way of life. It comprises my vision of how the world can be more beautiful, more attractive, more interesting, and more functional. It is a bridge that connects the past with the future.