We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Eva Szumilas ("ES").
Eva Szumilas is Polish-Lebanese designer. She studied architecture at Technical University of Wroclaw, Poland; where she graduated with a Master Degree in Architecture and City Planning in 2002. She has successfully connected her passion and love for design and traveling. Since 2004 she has been living and working in Cyprus, Ireland and Lebanon. She has moved to Beirut in 2010 where she has established her design studio few years later. She has been working as furniture and product designer and as an architect since then. Her work is a poetry of functionality with powerful aesthetics; it is fuelled by her life experiences, background and passions influenced by both Middle Eastern and European cultures. Her furniture collection is back to the essence of design, in the spirit of art decorative where the aim is beauty, aesthetics, purity and elegance. This timeless, pure and discreet design is easy to love and integrates harmoniously in any space. Nobel materials and advance craftsmen techniques are used to manufacture her pieces. Her work has been shown in Paris and London at Pavilion of Art & Design and published in many international magazines: AD France, AD Germany, AD Middle East, Taschen and others.
Eva Szumilas Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Eva Szumilas.
Eva Szumilas Design - Gong Bar Cabinet
Designer Interview of Eva Szumilas:
DI: 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?
ES : As far as I remember I was a very creative child, I loved spending time on my own making drawings of the rooms, beds, tables and chairs on the sand and pretending to live in this space so I believed it was obvious for me to continue my path in this field. I wanted to create something special, something people will appreciate and enjoy. I studied architecture at Technical University of Wroclaw, Poland and graduated with a Master’s Degree in Architecture and City Planning in 2002.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
ES : After living and working in Cyprus and Ireland, I moved to Beirut in 2010, where a few years later I established my design studio. We specialize in luxury furniture, art installations and interior designs. We have experience in both the private and public sector with construction of high end residential projects, corporate offices, but also designs for the hospitality and food sector industry.
DI: What is "design" for you?
ES : Design is everything, the city we live in, a house we live in, a chair we sit on, a bed we sleep in. We are surrounded by design every single day, for this reason design is everything.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
ES : I like the most furniture design and art installations that give me freedom and push my creativity boundaries to the limit.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
ES : Every new piece becomes my favorite design that’s why I can’t wait for the next one to come.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
ES : My first item designed for the company was a floor lamp called 25. It was a lamp designed for a Christmas exhibition at SMO gallery in Beirut. The lamp turned out to be a big success, sold out and was published in few international magazines.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
ES : I love to work with brass, stainless steel, wood, stones and glass.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
ES : Creativity is a daily routine for me. My studio is growing, we are expanding to new international markets, we have a lot of projects we work on, there is so much work that I have to be creative every day to meet up with all deadlines.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
ES : Esthetics and functionality
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
ES : The process of design makes me dream.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
ES : To see my pieces being executed with the highest standards and details I intended to have made me feel very happy and proud. I’m happy to see satisfied clients. That’s the biggest reward.
DI: What makes a design successful?
ES : Timeless design is successful
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
ES : Esthetics, functionality
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
ES : Designers should be aware of eco-friendly design, to protect the environment and nature. to propose to the clients new alternative materials.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
ES : The future of design is digital unfortunately. Designed by computer algorithms and executed by computers and 3D printers. Human involvement is decreasing. My approach into design might be old fashioned but I strongly support human input into design, especially into production and execution of design pieces, limited edition and custom made, hand crafted furniture in particular, therefor I work with the best artisans and craftsmen, masters in brass, metal and aluminum casting, masters in straw and wood marquetry, masters in glassblowing, etc.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
ES : My last exhibition before the pandemic was in Rome, at Contemporary Cluster Gallery. And after the pandemic, I exhibited at Galerie Tanit, Beirut, Lebanon in November 2021. I’m planning to participate in a few international exhibitions next year.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
ES : I find inspiration everywhere, on the streets, in design magazines I check daily, Instagram and of course during travels. New places, people, and cultures are the biggest source of inspirations.
DI: 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?
ES : My style is inspired by the spirit of decorative art where the aim is beauty, aesthetics, purity, and most importantly elegance. Noble materials and advanced craftsmanship techniques are used to manufacture my pieces, a timeless, pure and discreet design style that is universally appreciated and enjoyed, and integrates harmoniously in any space.
DI: 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?
ES : I live in Beirut, Lebanon. Beirut became my second home 12 years ago, however I was born and spent 27 years of my life in Poland. And a few years in Cyprus and Ireland. All these places impacted and influenced my perception, sensibility and creativity. They made me see more and appreciate small details. In Lebanon the art and design scene is very strong. Craftsmanship is on the highest level, which I have decided to promote, explore and support and work with the best artisans and craftsmen in the region, masters in brass, metal and aluminum casting, masters in straw and wood marquetry, masters in glassblowing, etc.
DI: How do you work with companies?
ES : I design for private collectors and clients, I collaborate with many architectural and interior design offices, international galleries, and developers.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
ES : Good designer needs to have defined style, people should be able to recognize the pieces and interiors designed by this particular designer. The good designer should bring knowledge, strong design skills, attention to details and quality of services.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
ES : The idea starts in my head followed by hand sketches and 3D models. When the shape is defined we proceed with very realistic perspectives, make small 3D printed models and check the structure with structural engineers in Solidworks.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
ES : Sideboards, dining tables, side tables, coffee tables and sofas.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
ES : I start my day visiting factories where I produce my furniture, I get to my office around 11am and try to have the meetings done before lunch time. Time after lunch I dedicate to design, brainstorming with the team, creating concepts, sketches, follow ups.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
ES : Be persistent in everything that you do in life. It’s not going to be easy but it will happen if you work hard.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
ES : Being a designer gives freedom. You can design and work wherever you want. The world is wide open. I don’t see any negative points of being a designer.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
ES : Less is more.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
ES : Imagination, creativity, self confidence, persistence.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
ES : I do hand sketches in my notebook or iPad. I use SketchUp and 3DMax for modeling. I check design magazines online and find inspirations on many Instagram accounts.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
ES : With so many projects happening at the same time, I had to develop a certain self discipline. Every day I dedicate 3-4 hours to the design process to be able to keep up with all deadlines.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
ES : Usually it takes me a week to design an object, during this week I should have the concept and renderings ready.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
ES : What is my style?
DI: What was your most important job experience?
ES : Every job and every office I worked for at the beginning of my career was an important experience and a good lesson. I don’t regret any of the decisions I’d taken in my life. However, the most creative, challenging and fulfilling experience was my job at Gatserelia Design office. This experience made me believe in myself and pushed me to open my own design studio.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
ES : Art and design collectors, people who appreciate personalized and customized projects, who search for artistic concepts.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
ES : I love furniture design and restaurants and residential interior design projects.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
ES : My plans are to expand to new markets and to participate in a few international fairs this year.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
ES : I develop most of the designs myself, I am behind all the concepts for furniture and interior projects. The team work starts when it comes to models, perspectives, engineering of the products, materials, detailing etc.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
ES : I'm finalizing the new collection of my furniture, which will be launched soon. We are working on few interior projects, villas in Syros Greece, villa in Cairo, Egypt and a restaurant in Beirut, Lebanon.
DI: How can people contact you?
ES : People can contact me by mail: info@evaszumilas.com or by telephone mentioned on our website www.evaszumilas.com and social media such as Instagram and Facebook.