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Interview with Alexey Chugunnikov |
Home > Designer Interviews > Alexey Chugunnikov |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer Alexey Chugunnikov (AC) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of Alexey Chugunnikov 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?
AC: My name is Alexey Chugunnikov, born in Leningrad in 1976. I've been an industrial designer for over 20 years. I have experience working in various areas of industrial design and with various materials: from ceramics and wood to leather goods, metal structures and plastic cases. As a child, I wanted to become an artist, so this desire to touch the beautiful led me to design. It's been like that since then)
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
AC: I am an industrial designer and worked for some time in different companies. I always consider offers for interesting work
FS: What is "design" for you?
AC: Design, in my opinion, is a comprehensive and concise solution, where, first of all, functionality, environmental friendliness, manufacturability, ergonomics and aesthetics stand in place. Design is a more comfortable world, where there is a minimum of means in creation, a maximum in the final result.
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
AC: Each new project is a favorite one, into which you contribute everything that you have managed to acquire and accumulate by this time.
FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
AC: The creation of your favorite project is still ahead, because there is always something that can be changed/simplified over time.
FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
AC: It was more than 20 years ago, and I don’t even remember what it was and for whom. Maybe it was a medical equipment building?
FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
AC: I like to work with other materials, but one of my favorites is leather.
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
AC: I like to invent meanings, forms and interactions. At this point I consider myself creative.
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
AC: The main aspect of design is reasonable utility.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
AC: During the design process, I caught myself thinking that problems of a different spectrum of emotions might arise: from confusion, during the period of immersion in the problem, to delight when everything worked out.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
AC: When a project becomes a reality, I am pleased and only sometimes do I feel joy and pride in what I have done. In those very moments when I really managed to realize everything I was thinking about.
FS: What makes a design successful?
AC: Design is successful when it is in demand and at the same time invisible in use. When a person-object interacts, it occurs on a whim, automatically, without additional means.
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
AC: Design must be smart.
FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
AC: When creating his objects, the designer must be responsible to society and the preservation of the living environment.
FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
AC: The design of the future is beautiful and smart, unpredictable and ultra-technological.
FS: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
AC: All the exhibitions at which I had the honor of being presented were group exhibitions. The last A’Design Award exhibition is in 2023.
FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
AC: Inspiration comes from everywhere. Sometimes it’s the work of colleagues, sometimes it’s nature and the world around us.
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?
AC: It seems to me that my works can be classified as “minimalism”.
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?
AC: I live and work in Russia, where there is a huge cultural heritage, and it certainly has an influence.
FS: How do you work with companies?
AC: I work with various manufacturers on a contract basis as a lead designer or design consultant.
FS: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
AC: I offer my full range of services, including recruitment and testing of personnel.
FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
AC: Each process is designed individually and in a special order, depending on the requirements for the task at hand.
FS: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
AC: These are probably the most necessary items in the house and at the same time the most ordinary ones, such as: a chair, table, lamp, pan, cutlery, door handles, etc.
FS: Can you describe a day in your life?
AC: I don’t think it will be interesting. But in short: When I wake up I create)
FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
AC: Beginning designers can be advised to look and see more. There are many tips and solutions to technical or other problems around us.
FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
AC: Both the plus and minus of the profession is the responsibility of the creator. It's important to keep this in mind every time you design.
FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
AC: Minimum means, maximum expressions.
FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
AC: The designer must have independent intuition and empathy.
FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
AC: From hand-drawn sketches to 3D modeling programs and simple prototyping tools, depending on materials and technologies.
FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
AC: Yes, it's true. The process is not fast and requires a lot of immersion.
FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
AC: Everything will depend on the complexity of the project. From a few days, to several months, years...
FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
AC: Usually they don’t ask me questions; I ask questions, which I discuss with the customer and the problems of the project.
FS: What was your most important job experience?
AC: I hope there is more to come.
FS: Who are some of your clients?
AC: Products in various activities: from medical equipment, POSM, children's furniture to leather goods, accessories and backpacks.
FS: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
AC: I am attracted to laconic design solutions. I believe this is one of the most difficult and demanding projects. Requires maximum skills, understanding of materials and technologies.
FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
AC: I look forward to my future with an independent and sustainable company that will make the world a more comfortable and smarter place to consume.
FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
AC: Collective design, requiring the collaboration of specialists from different fields.
FS: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
AC: Ready to talk about design all the time.
FS: How can people contact you?
AC: Contact information is in my section on the A’Design website. https://www.behance.net/chugie6cc
FS: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
AC: sorry, I can’t tell you anything
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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