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Interview with Sophia Georgopoulou |
Home > Designer Interviews > Sophia Georgopoulou |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer Sophia Georgopoulou (SG) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of Sophia Georgopoulou by clicking here.
FS: Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
SG: I grew up in Athens in a total artistic environment. My grandfather was an artist and my parents are both architects, so I knew since I was a child that I wanted to do something that would involve art and colors in any way! My childhood dream was to play with colors and brushes…Forever! Becoming a graphic designer was my goal since high school. I studied BA (Hons) Graphic Information Design in the University of Westminster (London, UK) and when I came back to Greece I was very fortunate to start my working experience and my career in a worldwide known and awarded branding and design agency in Athens. This was my first job. While I was working there, I realized that I wanted to specialize in branding, logo design, corporate identity and packaging.The last 6 years I work as a freelance graphic designer and I am based in Athens. I am specialized in a series of design fields that include: corporate identity development, logo design, branding, visual communication, illustration & package design while my clients are both of Greek and international origin.
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
SG: My home based design studio is the place where I create. It is located in Athens, Greece.
FS: What is "design" for you?
SG: Quality of Life!
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
SG: Creating visual identities for companies and brands of all sizes is my passion, but this passion comes hand-in-hand with a good mix of rational thinking and professionalism. My benchmark is to create brands that have a reason of existence, that generate strong emotions to the targeted consumers while my definition of success is to see the brands and the projects I handle flourish and grow!
FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
SG: Every project is different so I cannot say that I have one favourite. I love all of my projects.
FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
SG: The first thing I designed ever as a junior designer in my first work was a series of sketches for an Athenian magazine.
FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
SG: my iMac, a sketchbook and Adobe Illustrator
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
SG: Creativity can hit you in the head at any time. I feel most creative when fter all the research that I do in every project, I find the "idea" and the concept. I feel happy when I know what I am doing.
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
SG: I work upon brief. So based on the brief and the needs of the client, I focus my design and find the necessary means of expressing it.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
SG: Usually I feel happy when what I what I have in mind actually works.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
SG: i feel happiness when I see my clients happy with my work and that they have a positive outcome for their product.
FS: What makes a design successful?
SG: A design is successful when it meets its clients needs, and at the same time is aesthetically pretty.I admire the designers who make an impact, embrace the message in a unique way and create emotions.I believe that creativity is the ultimate seed for a great work, but strategy and rational thinking are prerequisites for things to 'click'. Every brand or company has a message and a story that needs to be said. I believe that the combination of passion, creativity and aesthetic simplicity do the job. Be simple and “to the point” and don’t create unnecessary noise.
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
SG: it depends on the category of design. I consider if the design is based on the clients needs and if this happens, aesthetics and design quality and execution is after.
FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
SG: My inspiration can be anything really. The lyrics of a song, a nice talk, my friends, a walk in nature, a big smile, the Greek sun. Of course before starting working on a project I do my research so I get inspiration from other great designers and their work, through art books and design blogs.
FS: How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
SG: My motto is “Think with your heart”. In my work I am trying to combine logic and… magic! I favor the combination of creativity and aesthetic simplicity that does the job without unnecessary noise. I believe that creativity is the seed for great work, but also in the importance of strategy and planning as a prerequisite for things to 'click'.Creating visual identities for companies and brands of all sizes is my passion, but this passion comes hand-in-hand with a good mix of rational thinking and professionalism. My benchmark is to create brands that have a reason of existence, that generate strong emotions to the targeted consumers while my definition of success is to see the brands and the projects I handle flourish and grow!
FS: Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
SG: I live in Athens, Greece. I love living in Greece because is where my family & friends are. Greece is my country, a country full of history, culture, passionate people, great food, a great sun and the best summers!I am very proud that Greek graphic design (and design in general) is of a very high level. Competition is very high and that makes me try harder and wanting to become better and better.
FS: How do you work with companies?
SG: As a freelancer, I work with companies in a per project basis.
FS: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
SG: My suggestion is that companies should choose a designer to work based on their work experience, talent and portfolio work.
FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
SG: I work in a per project basis. Upon a given brief from the client, I do my research and start designing my ideas. I present to the client 2-3 different design concepts at first presentation. Then, upon selection of the chosen concept, the next step is finalisation and further development of the design and final stage is the delivery of final artwork files.
FS: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
SG: my iMac, my moleskin, my paintings and framed posters I collect from design museums around the world, my design books.
FS: Can you describe a day in your life?
SG: First thing in the morning is to go for a big walk with Cookie, my dog! Then I have a big cup of coffee, I go to the gym and then my day starts! Usually I work at home or go to meet my clients, new business meetings etc..
FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
SG: -Believe in yourself and your talent.-Get personally involved in the project no matter the size of the client.-Don’t think of money when you create. It is a bad influence and it affects your creativity. Work from your heart! -Find your strong points and use them.-Focus on the message and on what truly matters to be communicated.-Embrace the message by creating emotions through your designs.-Don’t copy. Get inspired.
FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
SG: I don't find negatives. I am a designer and I feel like this. This is who I am so I support that :-)
FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
SG: Embrace the message, be simple and “to the point” and don’t create unnecessary noise. Keep it simple.Less is more.
FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
SG: To be able to design for his client and not (only) for himself. What is challenging is to be able to combine his aesthetics and knowledge but respecting his clients vision. The designer doesn't design for himself. He designed for the others.
FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
SG: I always have my sketchbook, I collect inspirational images from design books or Pinterest of other related projects
FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
SG: You learn to manage your time because you need to respect the needs and the deadlines.
FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
SG: It depends on the project and the clients needs.
FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
SG: How I managed to work as a freelancer in the beginning of Greek Crisis :-)
FS: What was your most important job experience?
SG: working with people and projects from around the world.
FS: Who are some of your clients?
SG: My clients come from many different fields. At the moment I work with clients from Greece and abroad, mainly (but not only) in the food & beverage sector.
FS: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
SG: I really enjoy branding, logo design, packaging and visual identity projects that start from scratch.
FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
SG: I want to continue to work on interesting projects and meet unique people, embrace their messages, make an impact and create emotions.My ultimate desire and goal is to continue inspire people through my work, make them smile and try to make them see things in a different perspective.
FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
SG: Usually I develop the designs my self but its the project is more demanding I have other designers that I work with in a per project basis.
FS: How can people contact you?
SG: Website: www.sophiag.com-E-mail: hello@sophiag.com-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sophia-Georgopoulou-Design/172724902814608?ref=hl-LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/sophia-georgopoulou/30/150/161-Behance: https://www.behance.net/SophiaGeorgopoulou-Twitter: https://twitter.com/SophiaGdotCom
FS: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
SG: I believe that creativity is the ultimate seed for a great work, but strategy and rational thinking are prerequisites for things to 'click'. Every brand or company has a message and a story that needs to be said. I believe that the combination of passion, creativity and aesthetic simplicity do the job. Be simple and “to the point” and don’t create unnecessary noise.
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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