Maria Bradovkova

Specialized in Fine Art Design.

Maria Bradovkova

About Maria Bradovkova

Student of painting at Jan Matejko Academy of Fine Arts in Cracow/Poland. Graduated in design at Technical University in Kosice/Slovakia (BA) and Jan Matejko Academy of Fine Arts in Cracow/Poland (MA). Currently working in field of painting, drawing, illustration and occasionally graphic design. In her artistic practice she uses traditional techniques like ink, gouache on paper, oil on canvas. She creates sentimental figurative images. In her focus is person and his relation with outside world.

  • Winner of the A' Design Award.
  • Specialized in Fine Art Design.
  • Original Design.
  • Creative, Diligent and Innovative.
  • All Designs
  • Fine Art
Splash Illustration

Splash Illustration

Fine Art Design

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Interview with Maria Bradovkova

Could 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?
Since childhood, I enjoyed drawing and looking through albums about history of art from my parents collection. My educational background was not simple. In college, I focused on fashion design, later I have graduated in design, visual communication. After a one year, I have decided to go back to uni and study art, what I have always wanted.
Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
I dont have my own studio. I am student of painting at Jan Matejko Academy of Fine Arts in Cracow, Poland. It is the oldest Polish fine arts academy. I will graduate next year.
What is "design" for you?
Design is project. It is selection of forms relative to the goal.
What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
In general, I appreciate design that is simple, intuitive, playful and conscious. Personally I like minimalistic design made of natural materials with handmade, craft touch.
When do you feel the most creative?
When I get inspired by experience, reading or supported by people. When I work a lot, and I see progress.
Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
The beginning is very important because I need to articulate my goal, vision and decide about how I am going to do it.
What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
Its mix of feelings. I feel inspired, curious and nervous too, If I will be able to put on paper the vision I have.
What makes a design successful?
Beside the quality of the product, it should connect with people, respond to their problems or needs.
When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
Design should serve the idea. Regarding product design, it must work well, when person can understand and operate it simply and intuitively and product last for years.
Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
For my personal projects, my inspiration comes from meeting people, connecting with myself, observation. When I read or listen discussion, when I relax after sport. If I let stress to let go, it gives space for new ideas.
How 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?
I draw and paint illustrations that are figurative. At the moment I work with gouache on paper. Pictures are nostalgic in selected colour pallet.
Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
I live currently in Cracow, Poland. There is very rich cultural heritage, artists and illustrators. I feel lucky, because I feel surrounded by many inspirational people. There is no way not to be affected but I think, everybody creates his own style.
Can you talk a little about your design process?
When I do personal project — drawing or painting. I need a vision, then I draw a sketch to decide about the composition. As a next step I do it in colour, If I am not sure about colour palette, I do more different sketches. Sometimes I start without the plan — little challenges for my creativity like in awarded project Splash.
Can you describe a day in your life?
Because I am full time student, I spent in my uni most of the day painting. But since quarantine started I have removed my work to my room.
Who are some of your clients?
Between 2012-2016 I was working for World Student Christian Federation in Europe, I was designing some small graphics and layout.
What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
I enjoy making illustrations, drawing or painting. I like handmade aspect of it. It's a playful process.
What are your future plans? What is next for you?
I would like to do good diploma project, series of painting and drawings next year. I desire to live from my work, to do commissions.
Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
I work on my personal art projects most of the time. Besides, I have some logo design requests.
How can people contact you?
I have my profile on Behance, Instagram or simply through my email: maria.bradovkova@gmail.com.

Designer of the Day Interview with Maria Bradovkova

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
My major experience comes from my studies. because I am still a student. I have graduated from design (BA) at Technical University of Kosice, Faculty of Arts, in Kosice, Slovakia. I have completed MA degree in design, visual communication at Faculty of Industrial Design, Jan Matejko at Academy of Fine Arts in Cracow, Poland. One year after my graduation I have decided to do studies in art at the same academy. I am in the fourth year of painting course. During studies, I was doing some small graphic commissions. For ex. since 2012 to 2016 I was working for WSCF Europe and did some graphic and layout. In 2016, I designed layout to print for Pozytywne Inicjatywy organization.
How did you become a designer?
I was always tempted to study art. On my way to it, I went through design.
What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
It's good for me to articulate at the beginning what my vision, keywords and characteristic and desired atmosphere. What kind of emotions I want to transmit ... I always start with sketch on paper, whether it is artistic or graphic project. On paper, I seek form, composition, balance between dark and light. I am searching for colour pallets. When I do illustration or drawing, I don't use digital tools. If its graphic design f.ex. logo, I switch to computer after the sketch on paper.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
I feel excited when having and idea. I am nervous when starting, because I don't know If I manage to put my idea into paper. On the way, the process is fascinating, because the idea is evolving, new possibilities appear how to continue.
What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?
I think combination studies of design and painting had some good sides, because I am attentive to colour, composition and material, physical, sensual aspect of design or artwork.
What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?
I would like to do good diploma project, series of painting and drawings. I desire to live from my work, to do commissions. There is one dream project I would like to be involved, but it's quite early to talk about it.
What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
This advice is for myself too, because I am somewhere at the beginning of my path. I would say, commit, work hard enjoy, experiment, focus.
What is your day to day look like?
Before the quarantine, I have spent most of my day at the academy painting, because I am still student. At the moment, I have moved my work to my room.
How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?
I think good design should be smart, creative, and conscious — attentive.
How do you decide if your design is ready?
When I look at my work (personal projects) and I feel something is missing, I keep working, changing. Its very intuitive process. I am looking for a harmony between forms, colours and idea.
What is your biggest design work?
Regarding design, I am happy about my diploma project. Under supervision of my prof. Władysław Pluta, together with advices regarding photography from dr. Tomáš Agat Błoński, I designed two albums — photo biography, about my aunt Antonia. Its was personal, not commercial project but it has a value for my family. Its like a memoir with archival photos together with photos I made for purpose of the album, presenting her everyday life and personal belongings. It was a challenge to collect and select material, create layout. I am very happy about the result. It has a charm, handmade touch, under supervision I did bookbinding myself. It was challenging and complex project.
Who is your favourite designer?
I appreciate polish illustrators Iwona Chmielewska and Joanna Concejo for their sensitive and symbolic narration and traditional tools. Another visual storyteller is polish artists and photographer Laura Makabresku.
What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?
I feel responsibility to work on myself. To get better and come up with a good work.

Extended Interview with Maria Bradovkova

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
I did my BA in design, Faculty of Arts, Technical University of Kosice in Kosice, Slovakia. I have completed my MA (specialization in visual communication) in Jan Matejko Academy of Fine Arts in Cracow, Poland. Currently, I am in the fourth year of my second master studies in painting in Jan Matejko Academy of Fine Arts in Cracow.
How did you become a designer?
Since childhood, I enjoyed drawing and desired to be a painter. On my way, I went through design.
What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
I am not an active designer, I actually focus on art — drawing, painting, illustration at the moment. I do graphic design occasionally.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
I do drawing, painting, illustration, occasionaly graphic design.
What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?
I would say commitment, practice, constant development and originality, consciousness.
What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
In my opinion it should be original, fresh, practical, ergonomic, engaging, intuitive, and playful. Well-made product that answers problem of many and its conscious, sustainable, last for years.
You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?
Good design serves people and environment. It's educational.
What is your biggest design work?
In terms of illustrations, there are books and picture books of polish illustrators Iwona Chmielewska and Joanna Concejo. They use Very sensitive and poetic narration through symbols and metaphors.
Who is your favourite designer?
I am happy about my diploma project. Under supervision of prof. Władysław Pluta, together with advices regarding photography from dr. Tomáš Agat Błoński, I designed two albums — photo biography, about my aunt Antonia. Its was personal, not commercial project but it has a value for my family. Its like a memoir with archival photos together with photos I made for purpose of the album, presenting her everyday life and personal belongings. It was a challenge to collect and select material, create layout. I am very happy about the result. It has a charm, handmade touch, under supervision I did bookbinding myself. It was challenging and complex project.
Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?
I would work in craft potentially. I enjoy handmade process of creating.
What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?
Design for me is a good project that is conscious, attentive to people and environment.
What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?
I don't consider myself great designer or artists. I am at the beginning of my path. I have met many supportive teachers and professors during my studies, and last but not least, my family and close ones.

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