Interview with Vladislav Kostadinov

Vladislav Kostadinov ("VK") interviewed on Monday, 2 April.

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

VK : I have been working as an architect and interior designer for the past 10 years. Immediately after my graduation I became a founder of ‘studio 8 ½’ which has started as a platform for architectural competitions, temporary installations and it grew to an architectural studio where we are working on variety of interior and design projects. Since part of my educational background is in the field of preservation and architectural interventions in historical valuable cities, I would say that my favorite projects are the ones that are dealing with that complex matter- namely "CON|Temporary library" and Interior design of a small craft beer bar in an old house with a historical importance. I would say that namely this experience of searching the contrast between new and old plays a key role in our projects.

How did you become a designer?

VK : I have been into Architecture since I was a student. I studies first in an Architectural High School and then the most natural step was to follow a 6-year Architectural Master program in Sofia, Bulgaria. After graduating from the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy, I have worked several years as an architect and then I was accepted in a Second Level Master program organized by Domus magazine in Universitá degli studi di Napoli Federico II in Naples, Italy. In addition I obtain a diploma in Interior design from the summer school organized by NABA in Milan, Italy. I think all these small steps and various programs have contributed for my formation as a designer.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

VK : In my opinion the design process is something that cannot be followed step by step. The process that works for one project does not apply the same way for other. The priorities for me are to listen to our clients but also to try to educate them, in a sense of convincing them why one design is better than other, what are the pros and cons of a certain solution. Another key element for our projects are the site of the design area. In most of the projects, as I mentioned before, there are old buildings, historical background, plasters with thousands of years applied on them. So because of all these particular elements we try to have an entire and very detailed design approach since the very beginning of the project.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

VK : The most exciting part of the design process for me is the beginning, the concept, the initial research and studying the site of the project. Of course I love all the subsequent parts but the feeling of starting something new, the initial creation process is the most emotive for me.

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

VK : Probably the desire to learn more about different cultures. I think my constant curiosity over art on one hand and on photography on the other. By art I state all forms of art, including contemporary dance, theater, literature. I cannot name authors because they are so many that I am not able to classify them with the "my favorite" expression.

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

VK : My future plans... tough questions. I believe that the best is still in front of me, waiting somewhere in our world. My only plan is to not stop exploring places and cultures, developing new skills, learning new (design and not only) languages and continue being constantly curious about design. I would love to continue my path with my personal design and research projects and I will be really happy just if I can do my job. About my dream projects... they are so many and so diverse. I would definitely love to be involved in big architecture projects as for example public museums in fragile cities and urban locations and in the same time to continue working 'inside' of them - as a interior designer and in the end to design some furniture, small products and objects. Let's say I am interested in everything 'dal cucchiaio alla cittá' (Ernesto Nathan Rogers) - 'From the spoon to the city'.

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

VK : The most important advice in my opinion is not to wait things to happen. I can tell you from my experience that opportunities do not come to the ones that just wait, they come to the ones who work, work, work and know how to wait after that. Especially nowadays there are thousands of possibilities for young designers such as competitions, online platforms for free architectural courses, internet allows us to connect with so many new and inspiring people, so... the only advice I have is never stop following your dreams and never stop working for them.

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

VK : Work hard. This is my advise to everyone. Even if you have great ideas coming from the inspiration you have to work truly hard to keep them to the end. Even if you have any previous success we need to double then later your efforts. Not to be scared of making mistakes but to be brave to continue after and smart enough to learn the best from them. Never give up and continue trying and working hard. And remember it is never too late to learn something new so use the chance of nowadays world possibilities to archive more and more knowledge.

What is your day to day look like?

VK : I should start stating the most important thing: I am not a morning person. Even though my working day starts at 9:00 h and my daily routine is pretty much as normal as everyone's else I guess. Usually I spend the morning with a coffee, reading the news on very well-known architecture and design platforms, as well as paper design magazines and books. Let's say this part gives me good vibes and energy to continue the working day... which sometimes finishes later than midnight.

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

VK : Usually I follow a lot of online architectural platforms and I read a lot of design magazines. I am trying to attend the most important fairs for design in Europe. I always design my own place - it does not matter if I am on rent just for few months or more. It is question to feel at home and to be surrounded by design objects which create 'your own space' and can inspire you every hour. I do not like boring interiors even if there are full with plenty of famous design icons. I do not like to follow blindly any current trends just because they are fashionable at the moment but to collect objects and pieces of art which are more intimate and connected with personal moments, feelings or memories. And usually they are just a few. Everything else is something you can easily leave behind you.

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

VK : Well, good design is a very subjective definition, because what is good for me could be a usual product for others. But what I define as a good design is intelligence in the details, provocation, harmony between materials and balance between product and surrounding environment.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

VK : In my opinion there is always a way to improve certain design. That is why we in ‘studio 8 ½’ are team and everyone contributes to the final design in diverse way. As we are working in a team, we try to have a complete design that comprises different ideas and that eventually is 'ready' according to everyone in the team.

What is your biggest design work?

VK : My biggest design work... for me it is not the biggest, but let's say that one that inspires me the most. The project is 'CON|Temporary library' that was built as a temporary installation. It is one of our first projects that has brought us several awards, including A'Design Award and it was just the beginning of our architectural carrier as ‘studio 8 ½’. We all love this project because we took part not only as designers but as a builders as well....spending everyday more than 12 hours at the construction site. The site itself is a very special place, full of decades of history and it was a true inspiration to work every day there.

Who is your favourite designer?

VK : This is one of the questions I always being in difficulties to answer. If you have asked me this in the beginning of my study I would have being truly convinced that I can name the only best names. Then if you have asked me later after my study I would have told you different names and wound not have be so convinced anymore. My point is that you can find a new 'favorite' designer every single hour and if today you have some names so they probably will be change tomorrow. And the second reason is that more you learn and more you explore harder to point a single few names. With the knowledge you find so many designers not only contemporary but also from history, people who can inspire you and influence you even if you think they are far away from your current field.

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

VK : Working as an architect has brought me always to very different and colorful places. I spent my early design years in Bulgaria, in Sofia and Plovdiv. Then I had the chance to work and study in Italy… then Malta, Germany. So I think this constant movement in between cultures and architectural contexts helps me a lot in my daily work. My favorite cities are always the ones full of history, cities that speak their own language - Plovdiv, Napoli, Istanbul.

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

VK : In our studio everyone has a different role even though that everyone is an architect/designer. It is probably the most difficult part to understand who is better in what and to help people contributing and working as a team and not single designers ever if every one is really good. We usually see the finished product but not so often we think about the process which leads you to the final stage. With the years the responsibilities become more and more and the time purely for designing less and less so one of the main challenges is to keep the balance between the 'design' which people see at the end and everything else behind him which is always hidden but such an important part of the design process.

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

VK : I am always trying to do my best helping the generations coming after me. I am probably kind of young designer still but at the same time I owe a wide experience which was not always pleasant and easy so I can definitely help and support people with similar problems on their professional path. Currently I work absolutely for free designing few cultural projects in places with a lot of social problems and lack of cultural infrastructure and I am truly happy to be part of any possible future change in such a districts. I was involved in few causes supporting the culture in my home city absolutely without asking anything back just because I feel myself on the right place working in this environment. If I need to name few they are for example being juror of students design competitions, leading team of students from my ex-school on their school design project or being part as jury and designer of key design projects in the winning application of Plovdiv 2019 - European Capital of Culture.

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

VK : It is true honor being part of this club of designers. If I can be sincere the A' Design Award ceremony for me is always the best possible time of the year. Probably because I used to live on Lago di Como and I always love coming back there especially in the summer. Of course all the ceremony, the award it self and everything is super nice but if I need to name a single part I like the most this is the time after the ceremony - the informal talks with people coming from over the world. It is amazing experience which always fill me with a lot of positive emotions. Meeting designers from diverse background, countries, culture and language is the most amazing experience every year - all this make you better person first and better designer later. And not to forget to mention the background of the event - warm summer night, wine, calm lake and moon and the amazing villas of Como.

Vladislav Kostadinov Profile