Interview with Olga Petrova-Podolskaya

Olga Petrova-Podolskaya ("OP") interviewed on Monday, 30 December.

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

OP : Graduated from IDS in St. Petersburg. I have been working in design for 15 years. Projects in St. Petersburg, Cyprus and Moscow. My lamps were exhibited at the Isaloni 2018, 2019, 2022 exhibition by the Laudarte factory. Some kitchen models based on my design are presented in the Siver Home catalog.

How did you become a designer?

OP : I wanted to create and didn’t think that being a designer meant 24 hours of thinking about creativity. This is a state of mind. Before that, she worked in sales and production.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

OP : When designing, I try to remove unnecessary things. Now I'm working on interiors in the old building. Designing such apartments is a mixture of modernity and our past heritage.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

OP : Relax and then wait to see how your plan will be realized.

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

OP : First of all, it is patience and perseverance. My children and husband greatly influence my creativity, and the fact that my husband and I also work allows me to open up.

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

OP : I want to do several public interiors in the old building. There are also plans to create a simple item. The most difficult thing is to do something simple and ascetic.

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

OP : Find your style, work in your style and they will definitely find you.

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

OP : Create every day!

What is your day to day look like?

OP : First coffee with my husband, later children, then sports. Work in our salon with my husband)) and home again. If we have time, of course we visit theaters and exhibitions.

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

OP : I try to follow my own style, but we are surrounded by so much information that it influences us one way or another

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

OP : ....If they want to buy it

How do you decide if your design is ready?

OP : when I don't want to change anything about what I did

What is your biggest design work?

OP : Smile lamp, which won a bronze award at the A Design awards 2017. It was an innovation of that period with a built-in transformer in the base and the idea was very fresh

Who is your favourite designer?

OP : Philippe Starck

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

OP : I really like to travel. My favorite city is Lido, Venice. And of course my mood is classical music. My husband and I met in the design industry.

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

OP : It's definitely not easy working with me! I am demanding of myself and I demand a lot from people. My best partner is my husband, both in work and in life.

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

OP : I give lectures at design schools, speak at conferences, and advise if young designers contact me

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

OP : 1.Height. 2. An incentive to create new things. 3. Discover new things about yourself

Olga Petrova-Podolskaya Profile