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Elements Universal Interior System by Olga Shchukina |
Home > Winners > Design #136858 >Interview |
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FS: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?
OS: The design is based on versatility and environmental friendliness. We wanted to create a system that could fit into any room for its intended purpose. At the same time, it should not crush the visual ecology of the space.
FS: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?
OS: The "Elements" system is suitable for all spaces and styles thanks to its simple shapes and familiar materials.
FS: What are your future plans for this award winning design?
OS: The WUD (Wood Unique Design) company is already produces the system in Russia. The module manufactured and exhibited in the showroom, we are establishing contacts with sellers. Of course, It is very desirable to complete every home with the such a convenient system. We will promote the product as much as possible, and the Award is a good assistant for it!
FS: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?
OS: The first ideas and samples appeared quite a long time ago as part of an individual project back in 2016. In 2020, we began to think about it as a concept and a more like a universal system, standardize the dimensions and select fasteners that are invisible. So in 2020-2022 it turned into a full-fledged serial product.
FS: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?
OS: We worked with an individual interior, where a very spacious wardrobe had to be assembled in a small room. So the idea was born and tested for the first time. The experience turned out to be very successful, and the principle and design were in demand among other customers. Therefore, it was a very natural transition from a craft to a design product.
FS: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?
OS: Our design is being produced by our own company WUD (wood unique design). But we would like to find a partnership to export the product to Europe and the USA or find a partner to manufacture it under license.
FS: What made you design this particular type of work?
OS: We have been designing interiors for more than 15 years. In 2015, we opened a carpentry manufactory to complete our own interior projects with individual interior items. We at WUD are sure that when interior items and furniture are created by the same talented hand of an architect and a manufacturer, it turns out not just a beautiful, but a harmonious interior with furniture that perfectly match each other.
FS: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?
OS: At the root, this design is quite simple and resembles many designs of shelving 50-70s
FS: Who is the target customer for his design?
OS: The best contribution to the distribution can be made by studios, involved in interior design. But also customers who are engaged in the arrangement of their own home can purchase a product from the website or showrooms.
FS: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?
OS: What distinguishes it from classical wardrobe furniture, is the absence of blind partitions. A system without doors allows for an immediate view and quick retrieval as well as space where light can flow freely. Sure, there are many modern storage systems on frames. The main thing that we intentionally brought into it is the replacement of metal frames with wooden ones, because we consider metal in the house inappropriate, cold and noisy. We also made fasteners invisible to the eye.
FS: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?
OS: "Elements" is a name that speaks for itself. After all, the base is a constructor that can be supplemented with elements at its discretion.
FS: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?
OS: We used all the design tools. Starting from hand sketches and mock-ups, ending with the manufacture of the product and testing it in real conditions.
FS: What is the most unique aspect of your design?
OS: Besides providing free access to clothes and shoes the open structure showcases your belongings to create a space that looks like your own personal boutique. The production is based on the aesthetic principles of sustainability and has a well-thought-out concept for installation.
FS: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?
OS: We create our projects from the very first step on our own. It is a great advantage when you have your own well-equipped experimental workshop in your hands.
FS: What is the role of technology in this particular design?
OS: Thanks to the perfect connection of the parts at an angle of 45 degrees, the design looks elegant with an accentuated pure geometry. All elements are supplied full ready for installation, so the assembly does not take much time. Any element can eventually be replaced by another necessary element. There is no need to disassemble the entire system.
FS: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?
OS: In this project we needed a good knowledge of ergonomics and material. Many people think that wood is not as durable as metal. We calculated the weight load on one frame and it turned out that it can withstand a weight of 600 kg.
FS: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?
OS: The main challenge was to create connections invisible to the eye and at the same time not lose structural rigidity.
FS: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?
OS: When you work with a project that not only inspires you, but also has the potential for greater development, it seems be natural if you want to share it with a large audience.
FS: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?
OS: Systematisation. This is a fairly voluminous project consisting of a large number of details.
FS: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
OS: The "Elements" system impresses with its modern language of form and function with a human-oriented design in mind. It is able to showcase your entire wardrobe at its best and act as your personal boutique!
FS: Thank you for providing us with this opportunity to interview you.
A' Design Award and Competitions grants rights to press members and bloggers to use parts of this interview. This interview is provided as it is; DesignPRWire and A' Design Award and Competitions cannot be held responsible for the answers given by participating designers.
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