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Interview with Pavel Volovov |
Home > Designer Interviews > Pavel Volovov |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer Pavel Volovov (PV) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of Pavel Volovov 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?
PV: I am involved in design since 2008, when I started to make interior projects under my name. In 2016 I graduated from Istituto Marangoni design school (Milan) and received a Master degree in Luxury Home Master Collection Design course. An since then I am working as a professional interior and product designer. Geography of my projects covers Moscow, Saint-Peterburg, Berlin, Los Angeles and Como and I hope to expand it because I like to travel. Since I was a child I was trying to make a world around me more beautiful improving the style of my room moving the furniture from one corner to another, hanging posters, changing colors of the walls, drawing pictures. I didn't know that there was a specific name to this profession but I always considered myself as a creative person.
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
PV: Studio Volovov Interiors is based in Moscow, Russia and involved in residential and public projects both in Russia and abroad. During design process the studio creates made-to-measure interiors with custom made items such as: lighting objects, furniture, finishes and textiles.
FS: What is "design" for you?
PV: Design is a contemporary language witch helps to satisfy the needs of society
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
PV: I like the most to design special items for the projects such as lighting installations, tables, cabinets etc…
FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
PV: My favorite design is the chandelier called Porca Miseria created by genial Ingo Maurer. It is a masterpiece made of broken dinnerware pieces .
FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
PV: I'm in the beginning of this adventurous journey.
FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
PV: I love 3D – printing technology because it seems to be a future of the product design and is in great progress nowadays. I love all natural materials such as wood, marble, stone, metals, textiles. All that gives the soft touch of nature.
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
PV: I feel most creative during the flights when I have time to think in calm.
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
PV: I focus on aesthetics, functionality, versatility, significance
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
PV: When I design I feel excitement, passion, revival.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
PV: When my designs come to life I feel satisfaction, relief, pleasure.
FS: What makes a design successful?
PV: In my opinion targeting on current trends is one of the most powerful tool for the design to be successful.
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
PV: First I judge aesthetics aspects of design and presentation, but aesthetic is nothing without a function. The most genial designs are deriving from the combination of these two aspects.
FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
PV: With this world of total consumption the design has to be iconic –the one that is to last or sustainable.
FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
PV: The future of design is in development of technologies and craft. In my opinion these two trends become global. This is what I have seen during Milan design weeks last few years.
FS: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
PV: Until now I did not yet have any exhibitions and I hope to join the A'Design Award exhibition in 2018
FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
PV: My main sources of inspiration are: art, travels, architecture, nature. I often visit main design fairs and art events. I love to contemplate the masterpieces of architecture, observe the power of nature. I feed my creativity with revisiting the works of acknowledged masters of art and fashion.
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?
PV: I prefer to call my style as contemporary.The main characteristics are clean lines, original approach and soft touch.
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?
PV: I live in Moscow but I consider myself as cosmopolitan, therefore Russian cultural heritage affects my designs alongside with world heritage and current trends. In my country one have to make a huge effort to create a design, triple effort in contrast to developed countries. Companies are not ready enough to invest in new products. But there are some private clients who respect creativity and customisation.
FS: How do you work with companies?
PV: The most important part is the analysis of the brand, defining targets and then goes work with the brand heritage and indication of the sources of inspiration and design process execution.
FS: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
PV: To select the good designer it is important to define what the aim of the strategy. If the strategy is to keep an existing direction then select the designer whose works are coherent to the company. If the company choses to evolve the product then select a person of a company according to this.
FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
PV: My design process is starting from analysis, then moves to defining current trends and targets, then goes an inspirational part, creative part and presentation. After that – technical schemes and drawings.
FS: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
PV: I love the soft touch of my Flexform mood sofa designed by Roberto Lazzeroni, occasional tables by Sollos (Brazil), and chairs by Piet Boon, Him chair by Fabio Novembre and Baxter carpet by Paola Navone.
FS: Can you describe a day in your life?
PV: My day starts with Yoga practice. Then goes my daily morning routine. I start working around 10 o'clock. My work includes meetings with customers and suppliers, driving throughout the city is the part of the journey therefore my day is never the same. This is one of my favorite aspects in this job.
FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
PV: Be interested, be inspired, be responsible, travel more.
FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
PV: The positive things are that being a designer is to stay responsive to change, being on the edge this is why it is important to travel, to visit art and design events. The negative is that when creative part ends there comes the technical execution and you have to face a lot of issues with clients, partners, production etc… and the designer has to maintain all of this to achieve the highest results.
FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
PV: Be your own critic and always trust your instincts
FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
PV: Designer has to know how to do all without involving others. So from analysis to sketching, from communication to presentation and software skills.
FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
PV: Software such as Archicad, 3D-Max, Indesign, Photoshop, Illustrator. Tools like Copic markers, pens and pencils, liners etc… Samples of materials and fabrics, catalogues, design books and anything that can help to make a good presentation.
FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
PV: It is important to manage your time and to set the deadlines. I use my notebooks, calendars to do that.
FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
PV: The first image of the future objects comes easily, but the process of adaptation and retouch could take time.
FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
PV: What is your current project?
FS: What was your most important job experience?
PV: The development of the lighting collection «Afrique» which involved the process of metal works
FS: Who are some of your clients?
PV: My clients are mostly private persons.
FS: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
PV: The creation of presentation revels me in because there is a place for pure creativity.
FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
PV: My plans are to execute the production of the Tripod Project, to create more interesting projects and products and to move on and on in tis direction.
FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
PV: I develop my designs myself, but I collaborate with the team when it comes to execution.
FS: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
PV: The Afrique collection is now in development. It is a collection of authentic light fixtures and accessories inspired by the black continent. The project of the apartment in Berlin. The project of the house near Lake Como and private apartment in Moscow.
FS: How can people contact you?
PV: Web: volovov.designMail: pavel@volovov.designPhone: +7 916 200 99 09 (Russia) +39 3388027226 (Italy) Instagram : volovov.interiors
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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