Interview with Alena

Alena ("Alena") interviewed on Tuesday, 20 March.

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

Alena : Despite the fact that at competitions I mostly represent furniture and equipment, first of all I am an interior designer. In this industry, I have been an assistant designer for eight years. And just the last two and a half years, I began to conduct an independent practice. Necessarily for each project, almost all the furniture is developed individually.

How did you become a designer?

Alena : My mother made me become a diary. Of course I'm kidding. In fact, I painted since I was five years old and my parents were engineers. Although when I suppressed the documents in college, I honestly did not understand what kind of profession awaits me. The environment in the family and the freedom of games, the beauty of nature in which I grew up all influenced my choice.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

Alena : Before the beginning of each project, I conduct research and look through analogues and look for inspiration in nature, the customer and the design object. Beauty and convenience of use for me are equally important, although their importance may vary depending on the tasks assigned.I can not yet say that I created my own style, but even my personality is always traceable. While I intend to work in completely different directions, it's so interesting!I prefer natural and environmentally friendly materials.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

Alena : 511/5000V proyektirovanii mne bol'she nravit'sya razrabotka kontseptsii i gotovyy produkt. Imenno po etomu u menya poyavilis' pomoshchniki i partnery. No ne odin produkt ili proyekt ne sozdayetsya bez moyego lichnogo uchastiya vo vsekh etapakh rabot, po drugomu dlya menya prosto ne vozmozhno.Vo vremya protsessa ya lyublyu vybirat' materialy.Bol'she vsego radosti ya ispytyvayu kogda proyekt realiuyetsya v zhizn'. Osobenno yesli eto dizayn inter'rov. I yeshche ya chuvstvuyu priyatnoye oblegcheniye kogda proyekt zakonchen. Kak bud-to ya sdala vypusknyye ekzamenyIn designing, I like the concept development and the finished product more. That's why I got helpers and partners.But not one product or project is created without my personal participation in all stages of the work, otherwise it's simply not possible for me.During the process, I like to choose materials.Most of all I feel joy when the project comes to life. Especially if it's interior design. And I feel a pleasant relief when the project is finished. As a bud, I passed the final exams

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

Alena : For me it was a very important step - this is a connection with teachers throughout the course of study. My important professional skills are the ability to draw, to quickly create concepts. Everybody must be a little psychologist and understand what your customers and team want, what motivates them. Then everything comes.A self-practicing designer made me a crisis in the country. I was simply not recruited into the coveted companies and everything turned out all by itself. Thank you for that.

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

Alena : To date, I am working to increase the number and quality of interior design projects. I develop and accumulate ideas for the design of furniture and lighting, which in the near future I will show in the competitions. My dream project is a collection of street furniture and lighting equipment in one style in a minimalist style, and now I'm working on a concept.

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

Alena : Do not stop learning. Travel more. Love your city. Never work from morning till night and all seven days a week. Do not forget about life and always be happy. If something does not work out, then just take the next step. The seeker will find.And if you are working on private projects, then work with those people who are close to you in spirit. If a person does not like you, then the project will be successful.And always dream!

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

Alena : Some colleagues do not use pre-project studies. I give this a decent part of the time. I'm always interested in similar projects already implemented to understand their experience and skip their solutions through myself. In these studies, I also review new materials for the project. Thus, the project takes all the best from the already created by mankind. And the introduction of nature makes it unlike other projects.

What is your day to day look like?

Alena : I have a fairly normal working day. In the morning I read news and letters. I'm doing my work for a computer or I'm drawing new ideas. After lunch I go to meetings, construction sites, to shops for materials. All this time I receive calls. In the evening, I again go back to work in the office. I am motivated by my endless dreams and my partners, assistants and customers with whom I work. And of course the love of close people.

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

Alena : Trends in design have both a huge impact on the creativity of all designers, and equally no influence. Everything depends on the tasks, the customer and the designer's own considerations in this regard.Helps to be in the know - the Internet, news and visits to exhibitions.Even so, I do not aspire to the trends and every time I try to create something individual.

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

Alena : The project is well developed, if people for whom it was developed - to use them often, and brag about others.three main criteria - beauty, convenience, safety.One of the most dangerous mistakes is not the correct financial miscalculation and not the convenience of using the product. After all, if the product is very expensive or uncomfortable, then few will buy it.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

Alena : My project can be considered ready when the most elaborate blueprints are created. But during implementation, I often add details, it's not avoidable, because life often makes adjustments.

What is your biggest design work?

Alena : The most important works are the project "Multifunctional gazebo" and the project of the hotel "Lodge". The concepts themselves are interesting and were not so easy to create.Of course for interior projects - the most difficult is to collect all the information together and not to miss anything

Who is your favourite designer?

Alena : I have many idols in design and painting. But the most significant for me was and remains Zaha Hadid her style and attitude to life and work.

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

Alena : I am a person who constantly creates new tasks for himself, if life does not make them. I really like to move, even in the framework of Moscow. Every autumn I look for a new home. So I change the situation. For me, the beauty of the city is important and not too much population density in the area of daily arrivals. My favorite city is Amsterdam. The culture of the Netherlands influenced my perception of the world very much. Thanks to the design, I met very important and valuable people for me.

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

Alena : I work with assistants: designers and engineers. I have the same attitude and requirements to all. Partners and my team are made up of open, positive people who are able to take responsibility for their actions and try to do everything to avoid mistakes.

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

Alena : Prosperity for me only in perspective. But inside the team, I always try to teach people something new. And always when I turn to the designers with questions I'm afraid to help them.

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

Alena : A 'Design Avard for me is one of the most important prizes. The most pleasant thing is that I and my team got access to tenders from different companies. For me, as for the participant, it was important that the projects be evaluated by the expert jury and the entire process was anonymous. A 'Design of Avard it provides.

Alena Profile