Interview with Branka Urbanija

Branka Urbanija ("BU") interviewed on Monday, 19 March.

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

BU : As many young girls I dreamed to be a fashion designer. My family had no understanding for my interests and wanted me to become an economist. But after studying I surely knew that I do not want to work that job in my life. My heart desired for fashion and as a small girl of six years before I learnt reading I knew knitting for my dolls and later made pullovers for myself and my entire family, later in high school me and my mother wore my own creations. Later my friends wanted to have them too. So it started.I could say that i was courageous or naïve as you want . I hired my own small working place for small boutique. At the beginning i worked alone and create my creations but very soon I found out I needed help. In two years I bought my own business place near Ljubljana, all machines for industrial production of clothes and employed 10 people; outcome of my efforts was 300 clients which came to my boutique called “Moda Branka” regularly.

How did you become a designer?

BU : After six years I moved to USA and studied interior design. I need to tell that I came from family where production of furniture was tradition in even now my three brothers have small companies for furniture production. They produce high quality furniture for all over the Europe and out of it, mostly for Switzerland, Germany and Austria.So interior especially furniture in in my genes. The smell of wood follows me from my childhood.After finishing my study in USA year 2001 I started to work here in Slovenia, first as a decorator because I tried to combine textile and interior design. Lately I became more experienced and courageous to take more and more complete interior design of residential, public and business interiors.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

BU : I always wanted to make more. To give a personal touch of the elements and fulfil more than just aesthetic and functional aspects of interior. From the aspect that we are energy beings and as we know from the past that every peace in our environment has taken in especially energy I wish to include that in furniture line called Energy furniture. It is prestige design combined with crystal and so on but later I found out that society needed something more. The challenges of nowadays society are bigger than ever before so I felt that my work should be an answer to those needs.That sort of interest grow with my personal growth. My deep need was to go deeper as designer and understand needs of human being set in the place and time. To understand more human needs and everything that defines us like an individuals and society I decide to study anthropology on Primorska University in Koper and get diploma year 2015.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

BU : I think that thru my work I need to do more, to solve some problems in society. If I work for private client I try to create such space to support my client on their personal way, goals and challenges.

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

BU : I think that designers and architects take responsibility for quality of life of the society and clients too so I think we have to be very sensible for change in our environment, society and for special needs of our clients.All my free time and a lot of money I invest into my education and personal and spiritual growth: Education of Feng shui, Color Therapy, NLP (Neuro linguistic program) and coaching programs (I’m NLP trainer), anthropology, mentoring of study circles, educations in ways of sustainability,…

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

BU : Nowadays I need to participate to society to solve some problems of modern society. I try to combine design, anthropology, modern way of education of adults – study circles, NLP (neuro linguistic programing) programs for better communication and efficiency.I connect with some other same oriented designers or groups to make a project together or work with them to expand my knowledge and competence.

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

BU : Follow your heart.

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

BU : To become a better person means to become a better in all aspects of life.

What is your day to day look like?

BU : Usually I have no routine, my work changes based on my inspirations and needs of my very surroundings.

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

BU : I do follow design trends.

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

BU : For me good design solves more problems at once.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

BU : Usually I’m satisfied and the project or piece is finished when it comes thru testing.

What is your biggest design work?

BU : In 2014 I made a project of sorting out Slovenian coast arrangement called “On dragons path”On a very limited length to acquire as much space as possible i included floating islands in shape of water flow.

Who is your favourite designer?

BU : Many of them but the impressive for me was Marjetica Potrč. She solve the problems of toalets; Dry Toalets in Caracas and project on river Ren in Germany and many others. She work on field of sustainability.

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

BU : I came from a small country with very old culture which is not known well and not even discovered. It is wonder that our culture and language survived. I feel desire and commitment for researching and keep our specialty and cultural sights thru my work. Slovene culture inspire me at my work as designer and anthropologist. Even Miznica is word from ancient Slovene language which means place under the table where nowadays people kept things and food. This word is not in use any more. I try to resolve it thru designing pieces of table design from Slovene wood and other materials.

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

BU : Usually I do work with partners. I have no problems with that. Thru 6 years long training NLP program I learned a lot about efficient communication. For me is important to have the same values as much as is possible. That’s the basic condition for successful cooperation.

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

BU : Thru mentoring of study circles on field of sustainable design I collect other designers to work with wasted materials and create a new designed products of that materials. As designer and NLP trainer I raise awareness about efficient interior design in a way to support people they could feel better on their home or working environment.

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

BU : I had a very positive experience and enjoyed the event very much. I got to meet many inspiring designers from all over the world. Awards make sure that my name is known and my designs recognized among common public.

Branka Urbanija Profile