Interview with Salvita Bingelyte

Salvita Bingelyte ("SB") interviewed on Wednesday, 5 September.

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

SB : I studied graphic design at the Vilnius Academy of Arts. I actually started my career as a graphic designer while still a student, working for agencies and other large companies. I now have over 15 years experience in the advertising sector. In 2010, I started a freelance design studio, Salvita Design. My clients range from small companies to large corporations, locally and abroad.

How did you become a designer?

SB : Creativity runs in my mother’s side of the family. Therefore, I’ve always had a passion for art since my childhood. And now, I live and breath graphic design. It is my lifestyle.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

SB : My design style is modern classic with an aesthetic angle. I focus on aesthetics first, then uniqueness and practicality.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

SB : For me, it is most fulfilling to know that a brand I created is well received and popular in the marketplace. When I design, I feel overflowing with energy, fully charged.

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

SB : I have a great passion for cooking, maybe that’s why I have many clients from the food and beverage industry. I also do food styling – It’s my hobby. Music is my main inspiration. I often go to classical music concerts. During a concert, many beautiful ideas are born. When it comes to concentrating and generating ideas, I always listen to Mozart, Čiurlionis or Merula.

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

SB : I’ve always dreamed of having my own creative agency, but I was afraid to take the steps to get there. Lithuanian modesty, a result of the Soviet Union, prevents you from standing out from the crowd. I’m from this Soviet generation where individuality wasn’t encouraged, but actually discouraged. This way of thinking left a deep impression upon me. However, I’ve overcome this obstacle and my time has come. I’m confident with lots of experience, energy and a desire to grow.My goal is to be an international design studio focusing on visual content that is simple but innovative with a long lasting value for clients.

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

SB : I advice to be patient, stand out and dream big.Positive: creative work is interesting and fun, your work can be seen worldwide, you can work anywhere in the world, work for yourself or on a team. Negative: If you are a freelancer, you do not have financial stability and you must be a designer, manager, seller and accountant all in one.

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

SB : "Golden rule" in design is to listen to your customer. To be on time. Ahead of schedule is even better.

What is your day to day look like?

SB : First of all, I always keep up on market research and trends. I want to make sure my design work always stands out from the crowd. With that in mind, I identify my client's needs, start the creative process, show them the design work, collect feedback and the final version.

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

SB : I follow social media channels, so I keep up with latest design trends. Music is my muse, especially classical.

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

SB : Synergy between fonts, layouts and illustrations is key to a great design.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

SB : Great design will give you a visual way of communicating what you do. It demonstrates quality and builds trust. If design is attractive there’s a very good chance you’ll be more successful, will help you sell more.

What is your biggest design work?

SB : One of my recent projects, “The Mood”, has quickly gained popularity with customers in the market place as well as receiving global attention in the design community. This project was to create branding and packaging for an International coffee company’s single origin, premium Arabica beans. The Mood coffee packaging is great, because it stands out, demonstrates quality, helps to sell more and has gold A' Design award.

Who is your favourite designer?

SB : These design legends inspire me: Michael Bierut, Christoph Niemann, Vilmantas Marcinkevicius, Pijus Burakas

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

SB : I love my city Vilnius in Lithuania.Lithuania is a small country, and not many people know about it, so all of my Lithuanian clients want to avoid national aspects to their brands. These brands sell in the EU and other countries, so the design has to be suitable for all markets.

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

SB : Design is my lifestyle. For me it is easy to work. Currently, we are three designers, but are in the process of expanding. I collaborate with illustrators.

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

SB : I want to create something new and unique, that people will be talking about it and remember it.

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

SB : When I created these packages, everybody liked them. I realized that this is a unique design and I should submit to an international design competition. I learned that synergy between fonts and illustrations is key to a great design. I should dream big and take part in design competitions boldly. A' Design Award is great! It is a honor to be the Designer of the Day, I'm so happy.

Salvita Bingelyte Profile