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Interview with Iga Alicja Włodkowska |
Home > Designer Interviews > Iga Alicja Włodkowska |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer Iga Alicja Włodkowska (IAW) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of Iga Alicja Włodkowska 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?
IAW: I gained artistic experience from an early age by writing poems, photographing, experimenting with various media of creative expression and watching the works of masters. I have always had an artistic soul and many ideas, which have evolved under the influence of different events and people.
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
IAW: My design studio is where I am and is like me. Quite inconspicuous, functional and tailored to your needs.
FS: What is "design" for you?
IAW: Project is like an open door. The ability to fill the void, create an element of reality, and lively interaction. It’s a unique and specific undertaking aimed at achieving satisfaction with the implemented activities and assumptions. Project is an individual and original being.
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
IAW: I've always been excited about new challenges. I like projects with a creative part that require creativity of thought and expression of action. I am excited about projects using new technologies, video equipment and related to the art of broadly understood images. I particularly like projects that interact with a part of me, with which I can identify my vision of the future. I would like to have an impact on improving the quality of life, and such works I like the most and I would like to create.
FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
IAW: My favorite project is the Viti Stand model, from which it all started — Classic. On it I developed the final shape of the product line and monolithic form. I can say that it is a matrix and a prototype of the Viti brand.
FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
IAW: Probably, if I go well into a distant memory, it was the logo of a Polish company designing and constructing production machines.
FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
IAW: My favorite material with which I have worked is steel, distinguished by a large range of plasticity and strength. Light, as a material, is expressive, succumbing, delicate. There are also some interesting materials that I would like to work with, but I have not had such opportunities so far. Currently, my favorite technology is the da Vinci SP surgical system, which will allow me to undergo complex endometriosis surgery in a minimally invasive way.
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
IAW: My imagination comes to life when touched by aesthetic and inspiring stimuli such as music, exhibitions, and even a simple walk and looking for a Fibonacci sequence in flower.
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
IAW: When designing, I focus most on technical aspects, safety, composition, aesthetics and ecology. At the center of my activities are the people and the environment in which we live — the user and the environment. The most important aspect of every project is the impact on the audience. I try to meet the requirements by creating friendly projects to meet contemporary needs thinking about the future.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
IAW: When designing, I feel excitement and excitement and focus. Each stage of the work is emotional and brings emotions that translate into the creative process. Feelings play a classic symphony in the soul in a cyclical form. The main violin plays positive emotions. I feel happiness and delight at the moment of dazzling, a lot of uncertainty before assessment, curiosity in exploring the issues. A sense of peace, satisfaction and relaxation comes with positive effects and reception. Success is a warm feeling of fulfillment.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
IAW: I'm filled with pride. The implementation of a project is a stage where the materialization of the project can be tangible. I am grateful and satisfied. I feel another dose of focus and strength to act, and in the air like a growing suspense hangs expectation.
FS: What makes a design successful?
IAW: Must be needed and evoke good emotions. Success is achieved by reaching the goal. The determinant is a positive assessment. The project is successful when appreciated by industry specialists and willingly used. The usefulness of the design, effectiveness and efficiency are the basic criteria that affect the degree of satisfaction.
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
IAW: The first aspects I always take into account are: functionality, form, intuitiveness, materials, and details.
FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
IAW: The designer has a duty to listen and coexist between society and the environment. Listen to their needs and solve them. He should take care of the development and harmony of the world and himself. Think responsibly about the future and change the world for the better.
FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
IAW: The field of design evolves directly in proportion to the development of technology. Most of the products are centralized on humans. Reference can be found at the present moment: of the evolution of design to the point in the evolution of astronomical sciences during the time of Copernicus. When it turned out that not the Earth, and the Sun is at the center of our planetary system, society was shocked. Now we know that it is the opposite and does not raise any objections. We are now at a time when more and more designers are aware of the impact on the environment and people. I think there is an opportunity to evolve the field of design towards harmony and unity with space with an emphasis on durability and functionality. I think everyone would benefit from this form of development, and most of all human beings.
FS: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
IAW: I exhibited my film at the Frap Film Festival in Gorzów Wielkopolski and during the Lift-OFF Film Festival. I'm a novice. I've been considering other exhibitions for a long time and I think now is the right time, place and space to start implementing these plans.
FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
IAW: My design inspirations come directly from the surroundings and the space in which it is located. I observe forms, shapes, beauty around, complexity and simplicity of nature, and ubiquitous art. Art activates the brain’s working memory by stimulating sensors, and the received impressions fall into my sensory memory, feeding my creativity.
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?
IAW: My design style is the pursuit of minimalism and ergonomic solutions. During practical classes on feature editing, Dr Zbigniew Niciński criticized my project "Too much. Less is more". My teacher’s words hit my perception. I began to pay attention to the compensation and preservation of the chosen style. Sociological sciences have made me realize that less is actually more. Too rich use of ornaments distracts attention from the consensus and concrete assumptions of the project. I've eliminated the unjustified use of showy solutions. I began to introduce aesthetic aspects in justification with a specific function and task to fulfill. The desire to translate all the values I like in good projects — creating maximum possibilities in a minimal form - brings me back to words repeated many times. Popularized by the designer of minimalist architectural compositions Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and rhythmically repeated “Less means more” had a wide echo in my works. I am guided by common sense and awareness of the impact of the solutions used. Derivation of the style of form harmonizing with functions and striving for perfection in the project.
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?
IAW: I live in Poland. We have a rich cultural heritage that affects my projects by adding character to them. When designing in Poland, you need to show patience and strive for the goal despite the problems encountered, solve them and be creative at every step. Podlaska nature is an oasis of creative space. It gives the opportunity to observe plant-geological forms coexisting in harmony with the needs of modern people. The environment of fauna and flora is a source of ideas and mathematical concepts such as plant phylotaxy and balance.
FS: How do you work with companies?
IAW: I work as a freelancer, and I have not yet been employed in any of the companies. I value a partnership based on mutual respect and good communication. The priority is to pursue the same point as a good project.
FS: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
IAW: Companies should be honest and treat the designer as a partner — after all, we have the same end. Interview and preliminary research is important. Choosing a designer you can pay attention to the style of his work, inspiration and experience. Giving a chance to young people who may not have had a chance to show themselves yet - it’s possible that with our project they will open their wings and pull out their skill cards and a fresh look - and not forget about older specialists.
FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
IAW: The design process begins with an idea and a preliminary outline. I create the first visions of the finished work in my head. I'm putting them on paper. Sketches and draws ideas. I look for inspiration and explore the topic. I attach great importance to the initial assumptions which constitute some kind of framework. I do research tools and software and get to work. Step by step, I strive to achieve my purpose. The completed stages of the work motivate me to continue my work. I observe the evolution and the impact of the changes made. My thoughts and actions revolve around the project day and night looking for the best solutions, trying to predict actions-reactions and finding a golden means.
FS: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
IAW: Indoor clothes, Cockney shoes, MacBook, Viti Stand model Loco - good for games and video training with the use of motion controller technology - and Kinect which allows you to scan three-dimensional space at home.
FS: Can you describe a day in your life?
IAW: I wake up listening to the singing of the nearby birds. I open the window to get air, usually it’s about 6 o'clock. The first hour is spent talking at the family table in the aroma of freshly ground coffee and preparing breakfast according to my nutrition plan arranged by Dr. Olanin. I’m building a schedule for the day. In the morning, I check the mailbox and perform tasks on the computer. Each day is conditioned by projects in which I participate and tasks to be completed. I am satisfied when I feel that I have made the best use of the day. In the evenings, my creative activity is at the highest level — the apex — of creative efficiency sinusoids, which I like to use. My 9 years of experience in the field of stage technology and work in cultural events have developed in me the flexibility of the time of functioning while maintaining organic balance.
FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
IAW: Never give up. Thread open minds and eyes around the head. Learn from the best and learn from both mistakes and successes. Strive for perfection. Respect the intelligence of the recipient.
FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
IAW: The designer bears the burden of responsibility for his creation and only depends on him the final effect, whether the creation of a creature or a work. The designer is a creator, and has an influence on the resulting matter. The designer speaks through his work. Putting a part of himself into the design, the designer reveals himself to the public and must be prepared for evaluation and criticism.
FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
IAW: Maximum by minimum.
FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
IAW: The most important is creativity, flexible thinking, self-discipline, communicativeness and the ability to find solutions.
FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
IAW: I often use a map of thoughts, diagrams, and graphic notes. The idea can come at any stage and at any moment, and then I grab everything at your fingertips. My basic tools are pencil, paper, circus, ruler, graphic tablet, laptop, phone and leatherman. A large technological leap has revealed a number of possibilities. I use both archaic and modern tools that development offers us, and their choice depends on the type and field of the project. I use professional software and open source, as well as applications that increase mobility. I read scientific publications and books that touch on the issues of a given project. I often use a camera, and projectors. The temporary stagnation of ideas irritates sources of inspiration such as music, my artistic crew, exhibitions and, in fact, everything that surrounds us, beautiful works created by man and nature.
FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
IAW: I create schedules, plan of the day, week, month and about a year, write out important action points and stages. I try to maintain harmony between work and rest. Rest gives a new look at the design and is for me the driving spring for further work. Fresh and inspiring breath adds motivation and can be a creative impulse, after which I will sit in my studio and accelerate by taking a few steps forward in the current project. I'm dividing the project into the most important stages. I define the tasks, the scope of work within their framework and the implementation time, then organize and assign them to individual stages. The schedule evolves throughout the design process and modifies it on an ongoing basis. I bet “X” on the completed actions and even bigger — red — at the completed stages.
FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
IAW: The time is relative and in this case depends on the complexity of the projected object and the established deadline.
FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
IAW: Can you do something like that? What material would be the best? Which program do you use?
FS: What was your most important job experience?
IAW: My most important professional experience was the video visualization project realized at the concert by the band Dziady Kazimierskie. The concert took place on the upper stage of the Polish cult club “Stodoła” and was my debut as VJ. The image from the projector was shining on a black, spatial background. The visuals were created from previously prepared animations and camera images, which I combined live and modified using the Roland V40 mixer. The animations were dedicated and separate to each piece. The camera was standing at my station so I could handle it. A lot of preparations, emotions and experiences came from this project.
FS: Who are some of your clients?
IAW: Bands and music clubs, cultural centers, theaters, there are several people from the Academy of Fine Arts, schools. My clients are usually people moving around art and culture.
FS: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
IAW: I like to work on projects that combine art and technique that are both beautiful and useful. This provides me with creative visions of aesthetic and functional objects in everyday space.
FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
IAW: I plan to further develop and broaden my creative horizons, and therefore I am thinking about higher education. Many ideas are to be realized, among them closely related to the further design and development of devices with connotations with the Viti Stand family, such as models for monitor holders - ViTi Back - and many, many others.
FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
IAW: I support myself with the knowledge, experience and skills of others. I got an Omega statue, but I'm not an alpha or an omega. Sometimes I have to get advice and test my ideas. All the time I create or develop my own, original projects, on which he consults or cooperates with specialists who perform a given scope of work better than me. Aspects of the technique of the estrad industry are usually developed by me with my life partner, who has about 40 years of experience in this field. Conversations with Makaruk are usually valuable advice, especially in Multimedia and Mapping projects. Color and picture boards are given by cinematographer Tomasz Malinowski. The sound in my film projects is mostly developed with the participation of musicians. Włodzimierz Kiniorski is the creator of the soundtrack in my conceptual video project “Retniakcja”. A whole range of talented and respected people are involved in the process of developing my projects. My role is to control the project and keep it in the convention and the planned idea, so the final decision is always up to me.
FS: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
IAW: I have some interesting projects open, which I had to postpone for the time being due to the operation. I would like to talk about them, but at this stage of work, I have to keep a secret. I'll tell you more soon.
FS: How can people contact you?
IAW: Directly — Contact detail is on my Viti brand website www.viti.pl: phone +48 690 524 735, e-mail: office@viti.pl. via social networks. You can also have an expression via my social medias @designviti.
FS: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
IAW: I just want to thank the people I met in my development path and for having a nice conversation. Thank you. Have a nice day and to hear!
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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