Interview with Igor Dydykin

Igor Dydykin ("ID") interviewed on Monday, 5 July.

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

ID : Igor Dydykin, designer, born 1990 in Russia. Graduated Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University with a degree in Industrial design, 2014. Graduated MA Product Design at Sheffield Hallam University, 2016. Was an intern in the Design Futures (Sheffield, UK) doing product design of medical equipment for AXIS and steering wheel and gearbox for LandRover 2014-2016. With multidisciplinary SHU Racing Team (Sheffield, UK) designed the Formula Student racing car for Silverstone International Competition 2015-2016.

How did you become a designer?

ID : I always loved the work that is visible - when you put effort, imagination and you get something completely new, interesting. A big role in my development as a designer was played by my family. As a child, I attended art school, where I received my first drawing, sculpture, and artistic thinking skills. And even during high school, the family helped organize my studies at the RENAULT-AVTOVAZ design centre, where I saw all the stages of creating a car from an idea to a prototype, talked with professional designers and modellers. This helped me a lot during my studies in industrial design at the Polytechnic University in St. Petersburg, and then in obtaining the MA Product Design in Sheffield Hallam University, UK. Recently, with my wife, Anzelika, we created DYDYKIN Studio, where we plan to create our own projects and provide design services around the world. We are at the beginning of a big journey!

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

ID : For me, the main thing in design is the meaning of the project so that the product makes a positive contribution to this world or helps a person become better. Any technique, tool and inspiration can be applied.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

ID : I am glad when I see examples of good design and I am probably too critical of things that seem imperfect to me. In most cases, I try to express my emotions and comments in the form of sketches and new ideas for the next projects.

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

ID : My grandfather's example made me think in broad categories, he was not afraid to dream and saw possible ways of developing different areas for many years to come. I think communication with him influenced my vision of design, as the need to anticipate future trends and offer my own version of its development.

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

ID : I love when design helps create a deeper connection between people, the environment, and the things we own. My aim is to find the most effective, convenient, and beautiful way to solve the problem. Design things that stimulate human to growth, increases his abilities, creating new experience increasing life quality. One of the projects I dream about is a design of a playground for children and adults. While the best I've seen in this area is doing the Danish company MONSTRUM.

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

ID : Practice, study new, practice more – study more! Stay yourself, no one is interested in copies. Be yourself.

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

ID : The great phrase was said by Michael Jordan: “Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.” So and I will not stop, if I walk on my path.

What is your day to day look like?

ID : After morning physical activities and breakfast, I contact with my team and we discuss current projects, then together with my wife co-work on business process improvements, depending on the day-type I do several type of activities in the studio, but every day I finish with setting plans for the next day, week, month etc. Planning is time-consuming, but it worth it.

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

ID : I do a search, analyze and discuss other’s designs through social media and professional platforms like Designer, Behance etc. My team also brings on the table new designs they discovered. We communicate and share thought with each other. However, our focus is on identifying areas we can improve. Our own lives are our prime inspirations.

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

ID : I think good design is invisible design. All we don’t notice and naturally continue to use it, is probably a good design. And does it correspond to the purpose for which it was made or not.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

ID : We understand it when design satisfies the need. The need/the challenge/the problem should be solved by the design. When it happens – design is ready.

What is your biggest design work?

ID : I am proud of each of my design works. But Domik Ptashki was the most significant, as it was the design I started with my professional way. Today, we are in the process of setting the production to sell it worldwide. The feedback is great, and people want that new level of communication with Nature. We are happy to create it.

Who is your favourite designer?

ID : The most influential to me are Dieter Rams, Marc Newson and Philippe Starck.

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

ID : I try to live my life the way I feel it is right. And my design is the answer on problems that rises from my lifestyle. I design for those who are like me – active, human-oriented, family-oriented people with dreams and desire to convey this world to a better Future. Life inspires me. I change locations to challenge myself, to learn more, to study my abilities and see where else I can be helpful.

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

ID : Our team consists of talented guys living in Russia, many underestimate their qualities, professional level and perspective on the international arena. With the right approach, we can show our benefits for the international design market, especially as builders of cultural bridges between east, south and west.

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

ID : I buy software for talented guys, I invite them to participate in studio projects. I give lectures and meetings with students and schoolchildren on the topic of design thinking and professional orientation.

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

ID : I look forward to when the borders will open and when the award will take place, then I will be able to share my impressions. For me, participation in competitions is an investment in the development of my studio. I am deeply convinced that the recognition of my work at a competition of such a scale as A’Design will allow my potential clients to see me, get acquainted with my vision, as well as my real clients to be even more convinced of the right choice. The Designer of the Day for me is an honor, an opportunity and one more step towards my goals: to help people live better.

Igor Dydykin Profile