Interview with Nikola Vucicevic

Nikola Vucicevic ("NV") interviewed on Friday, 27 April.

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

NV : I have been in the industry for almost two decades. What I like about being a designer are all of my various experiences on different projects, in different markets, working with different people and learning about the world.

How did you become a designer?

NV : I've always been passionate about people and communication. Also, my interest was in helping people solve problems using creative solutions and delivering better experiences.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

NV : We listen to our clients, we learn about their pain points, their needs and outline their goals. We also consider the current circumstances of the market, economical prospects as well as the competition. After launching our product, we spend time performing data analytics in order to improve our end product. We strongly believe that branding is not a one-stop. On the contrary, it is an ongoing process.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

NV : Creative process is not an easy journey but it certainly is a rewarding one. During the design process we go hand in hand with our clients and we give our best to help them achieve their financial goals and their return on investment.

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

NV : As a kid I trained in long distance running and was successful at it. Besides endurance and strength, it also required discipline, dedication and proper training. No matter how you feel, weak or in pain, you have got to finish the race. I try to apply all of these principles in my career as a designer.

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

NV : What makes one designer grow is the complexity of the projects he works on. I have been lucky to work with big clients such as UNICEF, L'Oreal, McCann Erickson, Asics, Prada, Carolina Herrera, Paco Rabbane, Jean Paul Gaultier, Valentino, Durex, Universal Bank, HRH Crown Princess Katherine, Heart plate and NBA player Nikola Mirotic. My future plan is to get more involved in creating personal branding for high competitive athletes all around the world. My dream design project is my next project.

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

NV : Be ready to change yourself and adjust!

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

NV : You are not competing with other designers, you are competing with yourself so work on self-improvement, your skills and your confidence. Strive to be better today than you were yesterday.

What is your day to day look like?

NV : Wake up, keep on dreaming, smile, have breakfast, think, work on your ideas, fail, get up, improve your ideas, try something new, fail, grow, share ideas with your friends, give love to someone, respect your competition, do sports, enjoy the moment, be good, be better, be Designer and Gentleman. Repeat.

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

NV : I do not follow trends. If you follow them your design will be attractive for as long as the trend is part of the main stream. We believe that the best ideas are the simple ones, and regardless of trends our goal is the same: to provide our clients with solutions for their business challenges.

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

NV : The only accurate measurement happens after the launch of the product. The market will show how successful your solution has been.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

NV : I feel, I know.

What is your biggest design work?

NV : Your last project is the best reference of how successful you are as a designer. The world boxing champion proves himself only if keeps his title. Otherwise he is no longer a world champion.

Who is your favourite designer?

NV : The order is not relevant but here are some names that I follow: Sasa Vidakovic, Vladan Srdic, Slavimir Stojanovic, Mirko Ilic, Balsa Garcevic, Goran Milanovic, Michael Bierut, Milos Zlatanovic, Miroslav Vujovic, James Joyce, Marc Johns.

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

NV : Eclectic. I am an immigrant and I am proud of my heritage and Serbian background. It has shaped me as a designer I am today.

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

NV : We would work with anyone accept with companies in the tobacco industry.

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

NV : I am very proud of my trademark patent approved heart plate product. (heartplateproject.com) It is a project that can directly impact people's eating habits especially here in the US. This design is my contribution to improving people's lives. If you would like to know more about it please do get in touch with my team at Designer and Gentleman.

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

NV : I have been active in applying to different design competitions all around the world. I see "A'design Award & Competition" as best by far among other global competitions. I would like to say that Designer and Gentleman is great instead of big. Competing and being among the best like PepsiCo, Nexus, Nissan etc. is a true privilege. Not only do the companies put their projects under evaluation by the biggest experts in the world, but they also get a lot of exposure which is of great value for our business and careers.

Nikola Vucicevic Profile