Interview with Edmundas Jankauskas

Edmundas Jankauskas ("EJ") interviewed on Saturday, 17 March.

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

EJ : My first steps in design were in late days of school, when I started doing small projects in web design. Now I hold Master’s degree in Visual Communication Design and work as a freelance packaging designer for some major Lithuanian companies.

How did you become a designer?

EJ : In early days I was choosing to become programmer or designer. I chose to be designer and to work with packaging because I just love to see my final work printed, on the shelf in shop and used by other people.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

EJ : I can’t imagine a great work being done with an extremely tight timeline. I think that one of the key elements in great design is having time to step back, relax, take a moment and look into the work you’ve done with new eyes. If I feel that I can’t work today, I don’t.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

EJ : For me the most exciting time is “aha!” moment when everything comes into its position, when the equilibrium is reached between client and myself.

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

EJ : I think that curiosity is the most important skill that any creative person should have. Being curious not only about the field you’re working on, but all the aspects of our life: politics, economics, science, sports, urbanism etc. Some greatest ideas for design can come from least expected fields.

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

EJ : Though now I work as a freelance designer, tn the future I can really imagine having my own design studio, my own team that I can work with on some of the biggest projects.

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

EJ : I have only two advices: don’t be afraid to do something completely new that no one believes in and never hesitate to promote yourself and your works.

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

EJ : Understanding HOW and WHY design works in very important. Invest time and sometimes money to get new knowledge, find and read research papers, discuss with other people, expand your view.

What is your day to day look like?

EJ : One of the key aspects of being a freelance designer is being able to organize your day as you wish. Some days are very productive, some are not. I like to not push myself on those unproductive days, I’d rather do something else that I feel like doing and work when I feel like working. Of course, keeping an eye on project timeline is very important.

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

EJ : I think that knowing what design aspects are trending is important, but not vital. Being able to adjust your design decisions depending on what is best for your project is much more important that blindly following what others do.

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

EJ : I believe that good design is one which works. If a box of chocolate has beautiful visuals, but is very hard to open and use – it’s poorly designed. In packaging functionality is very important, hence design is never only the visual beauty of fonts and other elements. It is very important for designer to be able to step back and think of your design from the perspective of user. Ability to forget all that you know you’ve done and see the product as if it is the first time you see it.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

EJ : I think that for most designers their design is never the best they can do. Every time I look into the projects I did I always see something I could have done better. And that is normal: we change our views, we learn more, we change our thinking.

What is your biggest design work?

EJ : Being still young designer I think that my latest works are the best works I’ve done and I want to believe that the next one I will do will be too. My latest project is an active ecological packaging LIFI, made out of tree leaves.

Who is your favourite designer?

EJ : I tend to mostly admire people who do not work in the field that I work in. Few of the most interesting interviews that I have ever watched were with Sir Jonathan Ive, lead designer in Apple.

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

EJ : I believe that good design is very important to how people experience their daily life and how they feel about it. Hence good design should not be limited to most expensive products, it should reach everyone no matter where and how they live.

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

EJ : I extremely admire people who can give promise and then keep it also people who do their best to reach the best result they can. These kind of people I imagine working with in my own design studio in far future :)

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

EJ : I think that working together for general good is the most effective way to bring people together. I myself feel very proud when I can do something for the community that I live in.

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

EJ : Recognition is very important for young designers, who might not have a huge portfolio and big clients, but have great ideas. Therefore I always recommend for design beginners to send their work to local and international competitions. Yes, sometimes that can cost you a lot (when you just start working and don’t have lots of clients), but being seen and especially winning is what pays off.

Edmundas Jankauskas Profile