Interview with Bogdanova Bureau

Bogdanova Bureau ("BB") interviewed on Tuesday, 17 November.

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

BB : In 2006 I graduated as a Designer of architectural environment, Kyiv National University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Kyiv, Ukraine. In 2007 together with Slava Balbek we had founded 2B Group, the company which had been one of the leaders of the Ukrainian interior design sphere. In 2018 we both found out that we want to develop into separate directions and launched two different design companies – Balbek Bureau and Bogdanova Bureau.

How did you become a designer?

BB : I remember myself since the age of five when I liked to draw. My dad was an engineer. He taught me how to use a soldering iron and insert motors into toy cars, bringing them back to life. I remember the first time I got into the shop at the plant, where they made some parts of amazing beauty. I remember metal shavings and a specific smell in the shop, I still really like it. All these childhood impressions influenced my life choice to become an architect.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

BB : Bogdanova Bureau, with me in charge of it, specializes in residential architecture and interior design, product design, and art-direction.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

BB : Excitement and a responsibility.

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

BB : First of all, I get my inspiration from people. I communicate a lot with colleagues and friends who are product designers, architects, and artists. It is a strong and supportive professional community that shapes me as a professional. It is important to surround yourself with people together with whom you fill the energy of development and gratitude. Also, I get my personal life experience. Experience is like trying to get to the bottom of the truth. Sometimes it takes two or three attempts to realize the cause of success and failure.

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

BB : We work on three new interiors projects from the wellness category and several residential projects of different dimensions. We are thrilled to step into the international arena and create projects abroad, so we are working on our first project of a commercial interior in Switzerland. Also, we like the idea to realize some projects in China, as a country which has its own strong cultural traditions and highly appreciate elegant European design. Apart from this, we created an unusual idea of the furniture collection for one of Ukrainian companies. It would need to invite different product designers to realize and launch it. I am sure it will be a fascinating journey!

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

BB : Sturdy and read a lot, travel, contact more experienced colleagues, and get into a professional community, look for partners who share your values.

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

BB : We are all hostages of Instagram and Pinterest but I never tire of repeating that people always remain the greatest inspiration to me. We often discuss what would be the next trend and anti-trend both in our team and with friends. There is no sense to follow them, rather to anticipate.

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

BB : You fill good design by your intuition. It is timeless, often minimalistic, and has nothing superfluous.

What is your biggest design work?

BB : Probably the last one. We designed the house for a family who decided to move out of the city to be closer to nature. I named this project Vin House, it is located in the Vinnytsia region of Ukraine on the bank of the Southern Bug river. The building has a picturesque gazebo and a long pool that partly goes outside the building.

Who is your favourite designer?

BB : I like Elisa Ossino, the Italian designer who cooperates with Salvatori, Boffi, and other respectful brands. Her unique aesthetical approach feels minimalistic and artistic at the same time. Athena Calderone, the designer and a stylist from the US inspires me a lot. She has a talent to present a regular object as it is a hero or superstar. I like her lifestyle. Also, I am a big fan of Nendo. They are the best in creating emotional minimalistic objects. I admire their unique Japanese design vision.

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

BB : My life passes in a cycle of events: work, meetings, new acquaintances, challenges, ideas, home, children. I constantly strive for improvement, not perfection, just improvement, step by step. I study a lot, almost every month I go through a new course or master class, even not always directly related to the profession. I often tilt at windmills, but and I want to learn how to bypass them.

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

BB : We create a new story of living around our clients and that is more than pure design. For us, it is important to let our clients feel our support and confidence during the whole working process. We make together all the way from a concept to a real interior and it is not a stressful period but a fascinating adventure.

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

BB : We got strong pr support that affects even now, a year after we won. We got some recognition, met new people, and ran some inspiring collaborations.

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