Interview with Maria Bradovkova

Maria Bradovkova ("MB") interviewed on Monday, 4 May.

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

MB : My major experience comes from my studies. because I am still a student. I have graduated from design (BA) at Technical University of Kosice, Faculty of Arts, in Kosice, Slovakia. I have completed MA degree in design, visual communication at Faculty of Industrial Design, Jan Matejko at Academy of Fine Arts in Cracow, Poland. One year after my graduation I have decided to do studies in art at the same academy. I am in the fourth year of painting course. During studies, I was doing some small graphic commissions. For ex. since 2012 to 2016 I was working for WSCF Europe and did some graphic and layout. In 2016, I designed layout to print for Pozytywne Inicjatywy organization.

How did you become a designer?

MB : I was always tempted to study art. On my way to it, I went through design.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

MB : It's good for me to articulate at the beginning what my vision, keywords and characteristic and desired atmosphere. What kind of emotions I want to transmit ... I always start with sketch on paper, whether it is artistic or graphic project. On paper, I seek form, composition, balance between dark and light. I am searching for colour pallets. When I do illustration or drawing, I don't use digital tools. If its graphic design f.ex. logo, I switch to computer after the sketch on paper.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

MB : I feel excited when having and idea. I am nervous when starting, because I don't know If I manage to put my idea into paper. On the way, the process is fascinating, because the idea is evolving, new possibilities appear how to continue.

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

MB : I think combination studies of design and painting had some good sides, because I am attentive to colour, composition and material, physical, sensual aspect of design or artwork.

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

MB : I would like to do good diploma project, series of painting and drawings. I desire to live from my work, to do commissions. There is one dream project I would like to be involved, but it's quite early to talk about it.

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

MB : This advice is for myself too, because I am somewhere at the beginning of my path. I would say, commit, work hard enjoy, experiment, focus.

What is your day to day look like?

MB : Before the quarantine, I have spent most of my day at the academy painting, because I am still student. At the moment, I have moved my work to my room.

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

MB : Regarding art, I visit exhibitions.

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

MB : I think good design should be smart, creative, and conscious — attentive.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

MB : When I look at my work (personal projects) and I feel something is missing, I keep working, changing. Its very intuitive process. I am looking for a harmony between forms, colours and idea.

What is your biggest design work?

MB : Regarding design, I am happy about my diploma project. Under supervision of my prof. Władysław Pluta, together with advices regarding photography from dr. Tomáš Agat Błoński, I designed two albums — photo biography, about my aunt Antonia. Its was personal, not commercial project but it has a value for my family. Its like a memoir with archival photos together with photos I made for purpose of the album, presenting her everyday life and personal belongings. It was a challenge to collect and select material, create layout. I am very happy about the result. It has a charm, handmade touch, under supervision I did bookbinding myself. It was challenging and complex project.

Who is your favourite designer?

MB : I appreciate polish illustrators Iwona Chmielewska and Joanna Concejo for their sensitive and symbolic narration and traditional tools. Another visual storyteller is polish artists and photographer Laura Makabresku.

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

MB : I feel responsibility to work on myself. To get better and come up with a good work.

Maria Bradovkova Profile