Interview with Xenofon Hector Grigorelis

Xenofon Hector Grigorelis ("XHG") interviewed on Wednesday, 19 December.

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?

XHG : I completed my studies on interior design and I started experimenting on wood constructions. My first projects were based on design and production of pieces for commercial use as well as unique, one- of- pieces. My main goal was to combine aesthetics and workability in an interesting conjunction. After many years of experience designing, interior decorating and creating both houses and commercial shops, I decided to follow my restless needs and culture my artistic views and ideas in order to produce my own projects. I also taught at the Greek public technical school with the upcoming designers. I decided to participate in several International Design Competitions. I try to adopt aesthetics architecture and internal decoration in everyday life.I redefined my priorities as a productive designer and set new goals in the area of presenting new forms in designing and producing elegant objects of daily life. The main challenge now is to make our space exquisite and impressive.My goal is to think original, plan and fashion artistically and skilfully for the future, crafty and innovative projects.‘’Inspiration exists but is has to find you working’’, Pablo Picasso said.I try to keep this as my moto everyday life in order not to miss the chance to succeed.Innovation hierarchy is just not about old to new. It is about the right mix of decoding all personal and emotional experience with assigning in thought, presenting something better. I have made a promise to myself that I will never give up to the luxury of thinking ‘’I ‘ve made it’’ as Zaha Hadid once said.

How did you become a designer?

XHG : As long as I remember myself, I was always attracted by anything related to the arts. I admire the aesthetics and harmony. I need to be creative and designing gives me an excellent chance to give shape to my ideas and visions. Designing is an inner, long-term quest of mine. It’ s a way to express myself and my thoughts. I strongly believe that the whole process and the final results of designing, can truly make a change to the world.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

XHG : Every project is unique. Therefore, the way I approach each project is unique as well. First of all, I draw a simple sketch on a piece of paper in order to imprint my initial idea. Secondly, I gradually build up the initial drawing in my computer, by configuring and adding characteristics, and finally, I proceed with materials, textures and colours.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

XHG : During the process of creation, which includes various stages until the completion of the project, my feelings alternate. Joy, enthusiasm, agony, disappointment, stress ..all mixed together. What truly remains in the end though, is the satisfaction derived by the creativity itself.

What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?

XHG : Over the times, you confront various people that fill you with different emotions that subconsciously lead to you to the discovery of new aspects.Among all these various people teachers, colleagues or people that you might accidentally meet you accept challenges that include feelings, new proposals, ideas and new analysis. The most important is to be able to decode all this important information into the main issue and add up to it your personal signature leading to your unique personal final project.

What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?

XHG : My main goal is to design elegant interior spaces and functional objects of daily use. Also, one of my future plans is to design objects which combine artistic view with environmental consciousness. My biggest dream as a designer, is to build up a church, because I believe that such a project, will give me the opportunity to experiment with religious symbols, lights and shadows and the opportunity to express my very own perspective about God.

What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?

XHG : They need to develop qualities such as determination, patience, perseverance, attention to detail, perfectionism, open-mindedness to name a few. In addition, they should not be afraid to pursue their dreams.

You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?

XHG : Every artist comes from different culture. Their origin such as country, language, family background and education completes their profile as a designer. Nevertheless, they decide the way to wherever they want to go, and this fills them with experience that transforms their personal designing abilities and point of view. In the end, I strongly believe that it is natural; you are born an artist. You just need to develop your skills.

What is your day to day look like?

XHG : My day to day life is not any different from all the rest of us. Usually, I go to my office early in the morning. An early morning briefing takes place with the rest of the staff working at the company, where we separate the tasks that need to be done daily. Following that I try to keep up with the latest news that might be an important source of inspiration and then I start analyzing the new projects and I start designing.In a boring business day, I prefer to follow social media such as Instagram and Behance.A simple line, a new idea, a new project, a conversation with a friend, a colleague, a customer or a striking new can be an inspiration for me.

How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?

XHG : As an interior designer in the 21st century, I keep up with the latest design trends, combining elements and features of my own personal design style. I get inspired of various multicultural trends, architectural structures, paintings and sculptures, even of clothes’ fashion. Analyzing and adopting different and even controversial elements, is a real challenge for me that leads me to new paths of designing.

How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?

XHG : In order to finalize a project, it needs to fulfill specific conditions but for me the most important is its elegance. I want it to catch the eye of the audience.I also believe that it needs to be functional and innovative.The combination of the three elegance, functionality and innovation using the most appropriate materials and color pallets is the best way to provide a well-designed product.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

XHG : Well… this is a tricky question…. There are projects you can constantly enhance by changing shapes and materials. This is a non-stop procedure. On the other hand, there are projects which begin from a plain, initial idea, and while moving on, you experiment with different shapes, textures, materials, colours and you discover that the whole project takes you deeper and deeper, until you come up with the desirable result, crying out “Yeah!!This is it .!!

What is your biggest design work?

XHG : It is difficult for me to choose one big design work. I believe that they are all my personal pieces to the world’s art canvas.Surely, big climax pieces of work are most impressive and leave a bigger mark on the designing tablet. Also designing hotels and medical centers can be a challenge and lead to a very unique final project.For me the biggest design work is people, space and nature.We cannot exclude freedom and autonomy that the employer provides the designer to expand. These are important aspects that can help and boost a new design proposition.

Who is your favourite designer?

XHG : I am deeply influenced by the innovative School of Bauhaus at the beginnings of the 20th century. It was the first school that adopted and combined designing with performing, encouraging the designers to take actual action in the manufacturing field and the contemporary industrial design. Ostensive I mention Walter Gropius for Bauhaus School, Frank Wright and Le Corbusier for Modernism, Phillippe Starck for Expressionism, Karim Rashid for Minimalism, and final but not least, Zaha Hadid for School of Deconstruction.

Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?

XHG : I love to travel. One of my favourite destinations is Constantinople. It's an inspiring city for me because it brings me memories from the past. The different cultures and the oriental elements, the traditional and historical buildings, the Bosphorus Strait, the great bazaar and the flavors, the scents and the spices, all create an enchanting atmosphere which is hard to forget. One of my biggest dreams is to travel all over the world and get to know people and landscapes. What I strongly desire is to leave the walls of my office and wander along several cities. Every city has a past, a present and a future. In order to conceive and form a memorable future, you need to learn about the past and experience the present. And that' s exactly what I 'm looking for as a designer. I 'm always prepared to walk, see, hear, touch and "taste", in order to get inspired and create.

Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?

XHG : As all artists, I prefer to work alone in the beginning and then to work in groups if the project requires it.I strongly agree with the ones that support team working, as the results can exceed one’s personal expectations. And this is why I try to be communicative when working with others, explaining exactly what I want so the rest can understand what to do.I also try to show my working group respect, divide responsibilities and I encourage everyone while working on a specific project because my experience has made me know that every small detail makes a difference. Finally, I try to develop qualities such as determination, passion, patience, perseverance, attention to detail, perfectionism and open-mindedness and I want from my colleagues to have the same characteristics to.

What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?

XHG : I strongly believe that the coexistence of artists that focus on different kinds of art such as painting, industrial designing, sculptures, architects, photographers even fashion designers can provide the audience a very interesting result. Without losing their identity, this might be a very clever way to promote the differences between them and lift up their personal piece of work. I also support the new wave of designers. These are my future colleagues and this is why I like to encourage them in any way that I can. Last year, I gave a lecture unfairly to a group of students that attended the class of interior designing and photography. The theme was “IDEA Interior Design Award” and I explained how inspiration leads to innovative ideas and how all these can lead to a project worth taking participation to Design Awards Competitions.

What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?

XHG : Participating in such a significant competition, is a great honour for all the participants. Getting in touch with designers from different places from all over the world, is a unique experience, because we have the chance to meet personalities from different cultures and exchange ideas and visions about the progression in the field of design.

Xenofon Hector Grigorelis Profile