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Interview with Christos Yordamlis |
Home > Designer Interviews > Christos Yordamlis |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer Christos Yordamlis (CY) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of Christos Yordamlis 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?
CY: I started working as a supervising engineer in housing construction companies. It was then that I realized how architecture and interior design interested me. After three consecutive visits to the " Salone del Mobile" exhibition in Milan, my interest focused on furniture. My enthusiasm for all these ideas and designs that I saw sparked my desire to design furniture.
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
CY: I don't have much to tell you about my design studio, as it has only been recently that I have built a corporate identity and begun constructing, with outside partners, some of the furniture I've designed.
FS: What is "design" for you?
CY: Design is a way of expression, even a way of life. It comprises my vision of how the world can be more beautiful, more attractive, more interesting, and more functional. It is a bridge that connects the past with the future.
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
CY: I especially like designing furniture, home furniture or office furniture. I also don't rule out the possibility of designing something else in the future, depending on the stimulus and inspiration I have.
FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
CY: My favorite design is the sofa "LOUVER", for which I received an award in this competition. Its concept was complete to me from the start. No alterations were needed, just improvements on the way its parts could blend. It is a sofa I would gladly put in my house.
FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
CY: The first thing I designed for a company was an exhibition stand.
FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
CY: My favorite materials are wood and metal. I believe that the combination of these two materials broadens the potential of a design and the possibilities of its utilization.
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
CY: There is no set time during which I feel most creative. I always have ideas in my mind, which I am constantly processing until they are ready to come to fruition.
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
CY: I make an effort for my designs to be simple and not complicated by adjusting the individual elements of each one. At the same time I ensure that this simplicity does not downgrade the overall esthetic aspect of the design.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
CY: I feel a sense of creativity, pleasure, relaxation, satisfaction, and love for what I do.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
CY: I feel joy, pride and satisfaction.
FS: What makes a design successful?
CY: For a project to be successful, it must be original, innovative, stylish, functional and an improvement to lifestyle. Additionally, it must show respect to the environment.
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
CY: In my opinion, a good design should be the result of an innovative and smart idea that combines aesthetics with functionality.
FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
CY: Since a designer can be a society influencer, he has to be very careful with every design proposal he makes. I believe that we ought to work on products and projects that impact the world in a positive way, keeping always in mind the protection of the environment.
FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
CY: I believe that the field of design is evolving rapidly, as there is a lot of competition, stimuli, updates and technological progress. So the future of design is bright!
FS: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
CY: I haven’t participated in any exhibitions so far. I would like my first entry to be in a big exhibition, of global interest, whenever and wherever possible.
FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
CY: I am inspired by every geometric shape that exists in nature. Of course, I constantly study new design trends, new materials and their applications and new technological developments. I also receive inspiration from observing the creations of other designers, although, of course, I always want to maintain my originality.
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?
CY: My design style is modern. It is characterized by refined lines, minimalist silhouettes and natural shapes. I aspire to break away from the standard method of furniture manufacturing by avoiding the use of screws, nails, pins, glue or other such materials. I design furniture with parts that are assembled and joined together in elaborate ways, to produce high-quality elegant pieces that in no way lack in sturdiness and durability.
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?
CY: I live in Greece. I believe that designing does not thrive in my country, although there are many great Greek designers, awarded and renowned abroad. We have not yet overcome some prejudices and as a result, commercial activity in terms of design is somewhat denigrated. Of course it's never too late.
FS: How do you work with companies?
CY: I haven't had the chance to work with a company yet, but it is something that I would be very interested in. I believe that a good partnership is based on a common vision, a common policy, trust and mutual goals towards progress and recognition. I would very much like to work with a company that holds these ideals.
FS: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
CY: I believe that a company should share common philosophies and ideas of aesthetics with the designers it chooses. The criteria should be the professionalism and consistency of each designer-partner.
FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
CY: A design starts with an idea that quickly becomes an image in my mind. I first sketch it. Often I create a model to see how the design works as a small-scale construction. Then I use design programs, such as Autocad, to perfect the design, and 3dsmax to add textures and materials to give it a photorealistic effect.
FS: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
CY: My 5 favorite designer items in my home are the following: 1. A leather "butterfly" chair 2. Alessi’s famous citrus-squeezer " Juicy Salif", designed by Philippe Starck 3. A floor lamp called "Cage", which I designed 4. The Colombo handles named "Fedra" on the interior doors of my house 5. The black vintage dining set" Fer Forge", which has glass surface and pop-art fabric.
FS: Can you describe a day in your life?
CY: An average day in my life includes a lot of designing, as I work for a company that constructs exhibition stands. When I am done there, I design my own projects. I spend the rest of my time with my family, my lovely wife and my beloved son.
FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
CY: Young designers must have passion and faith in what they are doing. They have to overcome their insecurity and not be influenced by any negative comments. They should work hard and try for the best.
FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
CY: Positives: the joy of creativity, the ability to set my own schedule, the autonomy it provides me. Negatives: the fact that I sometimes have to struggle for inspiration.
FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
CY: Don’t limit yourself. Have passion and design from your heart.
FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
CY: A designer must have imagination, be innovative and have enough experience to be able to assess the feasibility of particular designs.
FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
CY: The tools that I use during design are mainly design programs, books and magazines related to it. I get some information from the internet, as well.
FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
CY: When designing becomes time consuming, I take time from other activities, sometimes giving up sleep in order to catch up.
FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
CY: It depends on how complete the image of the object is in my mind and of course how complicated the object is.
FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
CY: "Where do you get your inspiration from and how easy is it to maintain that inspiration?"
FS: What was your most important job experience?
CY: The architectural design of a house and being solely in charge of the construction of the project and its interior decoration. It was a very important experience because I took it on from scratch and brought it to its completion.
FS: Who are some of your clients?
CY: As far as furniture design is concerned, I don’t have any regular clients but I’m looking forward to having some.
FS: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
CY: I am fascinated by the stage when I have finished with the design part and I am ready to try textures, materials and colors in the design to see it in its final shape.
FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
CY: If truth be told, I am wondering this myself. I am anxious to see what follows after my success at the A’ Design Award and to learn what this accomplishment holds for me. Of course, at the first opportunity I intend to take part in exhibitions and promote my designs by any means possible.
FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
CY: I develop my designs myself.
FS: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
CY: I have some works- in- progress but they are not yet completed. I’d rather keep them as surprises or maybe include them the next time I participate in the A’ Design Award.
FS: How can people contact you?
CY: They can find my contact details through my website: www.cyordamlis.com
FS: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
CY: No, I think that it was sufficient. Thank you very much for your consideration.
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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