Interview with Viktor Bilak

Viktor Bilak ("VB") interviewed on Thursday, 11 July.

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

VB : As designer I have been working more than 20 years in the field of exhibition design. My first project of exhibition stand was my diploma work in Stroganov Moscow State Art Industrial University. The theme of my diploma was The exhibition stand as a part of corporate style.

How did you become a designer?

VB : From childhood I wanted to draw. So, first I graduated art school for children, then I graduated art college on professionality The master of artistic woodworking. My diploma work was The Souvenir boxes from wood with handmade relief of Transcarpathian Castles. But during this work I felt that I want to work with big shapes and forms in space, with different materials and colors. In this reason for my future studying in this field I chose Stroganov Moscow State Art Industrial University.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

VB : For me in designing work there are three the most important things: aesthetics, ergonomics, safety. There are interrelated to each other. During designing I remember the words of famous Russian aircraft designer-engineer Tupolev that "Non aesthetic aircraft will not fly".

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

VB : In designing of exhibition stand there are big periods: projecting, assembling, exhibition, post-exhibition. During each periods I feel different emotions. The most exciting emotions appears before exhibition opening. During this period you compare the real object (Stand) with the virtual project in your head. This comparison determines the sign of emotions. If the real object better then virtual you fill inspiration.

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

VB : For designer job are very important purposefulness, perseverance, ability to explain your ideas.

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

VB : My dream design project is the new innovative system of intellectual toy Bi-Luck for studying the colors. This idea is patented and has awards of designers competitions. I hope to find the partners to produce this toy.

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

VB : The most important advice for me in my job from my professors was that the artist is 95 percent of the work and 5 percent of inspiration.

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

VB : It is very important in field of design to look and keep good partners.

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

VB : In field of designing of exhibition stand there is one empirical criteria for estimation that you make good design. Before the opening the exhibition people make selfies on your stand. If you feel that in the project or in object nothing interfere for your eyes and you see harmony it is good design.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

VB : The most simple for me as designer to decide is it fully ready design or not to make pause in working from one hour to some days and after that to return to project. If you want to improve something it is not ready yet. But sometimes it is a big problem for designer or artist to finish his work. He start to improve the project and do new one. Sometimes is better to ask somebody non-designer is the project ready or not.

What is your biggest design work?

VB : Every time then I start with new project I think that is the most important project in my life. I hope that the biggest design work of my life is in future.

Who is your favourite designer?

VB : For me design began from the works of Leonardo da Vinci, especially - his aircraft. He was the great artist, engineer, inventor, designer.

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

VB : The most inspiring city for me is Venezia (Venice) because in this place meet three incompatible materials: water, stone, wood. The stone does not sink in the water; the wood (piles) does not float out of the water; wood and stone combine in architecture. All is not correspond the physics laws.

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

VB : The participation in A' Design Award competition give me positive emotions for future projects, international context of the best design, promotion in public relations.

Viktor Bilak Profile