We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Ana Golubic Brozovic ("AGB").
Ana Golubic Brozovic is the Founder and Fashion Designer of BAGGIZ, a creative design company based in Croatia. After graduating at The Faculty For Textile Technology And Design in Zagreb, Ana gathered some experience as a freelance accessories, fashion and costume designer. In 2006 she decided to dedicate herself full time into her own company. For her designs Ana says: "I really and honestly stand behind each and every one of my creations. I love minimalistic, simple and clean cuts combined with unexpected details and made in high-quality materials. I believe good design is a perfect balance of function and love at first sight."
Ana Golubic Brozovic Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Ana Golubic Brozovic.
Ana Golubic Brozovic Design - Onyx Backpack
Designer Interview of Ana Golubic Brozovic:
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?
AGB : I graduated at The Faculty For Textile Technology Zagreb in 2005, that is when I also got into the fashion design professionally. I started as a costume designer for independent theatre, and after that freelanced as a designer for a year. 2006 was a big deal for me, because I decided to start my own design studio called BAGGIZ. Since I was a child I could draw and paint or make clothes for my dolls for hours, that was my favourite entertainment. I was lucky to have parents that recognised my art and design passion and encouraged me to follow my dreams. Although design was always in my life, I started thinking about it professionally when I enrolled the Faculty For Textile Technology in Zagreb. That is where I got my formal education and MA degree in fashion design. The faculty opened my mind and was a good basis for my further growth as a designer.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
AGB : After my graduation and a year of freelancing, I decided to start my own business, my own label Baggiz, which was a kind of very brave idea, but I was very enthusiastic and determined to go thru with it. I started from a scratch, and learned by experience. Since I adore bags, my first designs were bag designs, and I was simply trying to design a perfect bag for myself. Luckily, everybody loved it, and that made me confident and sure I'm on the right path. I've learned a lot since then, and I love to think I have grown as a designer. Today Baggiz is serious company, run by my partner Tommy and me, and we design bags under label Baggiz and clothes under label KOMAD.
DI: What is "design" for you?
AGB : For me, design is a place where art meets function. I think good design is something that attracts your attention, something you fall in love with at first sight, and adore later when you use it and wear it.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
AGB : Off course I love to design works where I have a total creative freedom, without boundaries. And since I design for my own company, I usually have the privilege of this kind of freedom.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
AGB : VRECHA bag (which is also A'design winner of 2016) is one of my most favourite designs. It is simple design with a great story. It makes me happy whenever I think about it, even today after so many years.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
AGB : It was a bag, woman handbag in hobo style.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
AGB : Since I'm mostly oriented on clothes design I love natural, high quality materials with soft touch.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
AGB : When I work a lot I get more and more creative, so I would say the more I have to do the more creative I get.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
AGB : Connecting visual aspect with function.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
AGB : When I design I dive into the space like isolation - I hear nothing and see nothing happening around me. It's my way to relax and have fun.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
AGB : Sometimes I feel happy and 100% sure this is it. Other times I feel I want to do it again and change everything. It's hard to be designer. :)
DI: What makes a design successful?
AGB : When people (customers, buyers) recognise it and want more of it!
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
AGB : First comes the visual part - you have to notice it, that is the factor of attraction. Then you use it, so it has to be functional. And the third is durability - it has to last for long time, it has to be made of good quality material. If the design has all three of the named parts, it is perfect.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
AGB : We always have to think about environment and society. All responsible people, not only designers, should do so. Sustainable materials, fair trade production, choosing local before global, small production and minimum material waste is what I always chose and what my company chooses.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
AGB : We can see that design is getting more connected to AI, so I suppose it will continue going this direction in future.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
AGB : I consider a fashion fairs as a kind of exhibition area for my work. Vienna is my all time favourite city for exhibition.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
AGB : What inspires me the most is travelling, I love to visit new cities and meeting new people. Since I grew up in a small city, urban energy of big cities fascinates me the most. Most of my travelling is connected to work, so thank to design I've seen many interesting places and met many creative designers with whom I had a chance to exchange ideas.That opens my mind and helps me to stay creative.
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?
AGB : I would say it is a minimal style with a twist. I prefer fashion that is transformable, wearable in casual but also elegant occasions - simple, yet interesting. I think a lot about cuts and transfering something plane into extraordinary.
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?
AGB : I live in Croatia, in a small city called Čakovec. Since I grew up in a small city, urban energy of big cities fascinates me the most, so I would say I'm more affected by what I don't see every day than things I see around me daily.
DI: How do you work with companies?
AGB : I rarely work with companies, because I have my own company.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
AGB : With everything I do, I always start from myself. I can feel if I am true to myself and then everything is fine and I'm happy. But if I feel like I'm designing something I wouldn't wear myself, then I won't go thru with it. That is a keystone I integrate in all my projects. I usually start with a material. I love to touch it and feel it. Then I make a sketch and after that I make my way up to a prototype which I personally test and wear. If it fits me, then it will go into the further production.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
AGB : I usually start my working day about 9am, when I come to my studio, and ent it at about 17h. First I check my to-do list for the day, and then I start with designing, cutting, sewing, production organisation or what ever is on schedule that day. In the afternoon I spend time with my dog, family and friends.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
AGB : Don't give promises you can't keep: always stick to promised deadlines and deliver the best you can! There are also no shortcuts regarding a quality, don't try to save money on high quality materials because it will only backfire into your face!
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
AGB : It's fun to be creative, doing a creative job feels like endless game. You have fun and get payed for it. But also, creativity is not something you can just open by switch, sometimes you don't feel creative but you have to be, because there are deadlines to be kept.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
AGB : Be true to yourself. Good design comes from the heart and you will feel it if you are on the right way. That is where everything starts for me. Second important - be stubborn and don't give up. There will be many hard days, but you can survive it! That is what I still say to myself again and again.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
AGB : I think resourcefulness is one of the most important skill for an designer - always search the new ways if old ones don't work. Also flexibility, because to connect design and function requiers to be flexible.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
AGB : I love Pinterest, love to make my mood boards there.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
AGB : For me the hardest thing is to separate work time and private time, because it's all connected, all the time. I don't mind it actually because I love my job, but I know it's important to set boundaries, so I'm working on it. I'm still figuring out this time management issue.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
AGB : It can be super fast - like in one day (because I have my own studio and production all in one place), but sometimes it takes months. Fashion is very specific, I have to be fast because I have seasons I can't miss.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
AGB : Where do you get your inspiration from? It's such a boring question....
DI: What was your most important job experience?
AGB : I had a job that was not directly connected to design when I worked at a school as a teacher (art teacher). It taught me a lot about patience and stress management. :)
DI: Who are some of your clients?
AGB : Women, 40+ years old.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
AGB : I love designing fashion, because I love how it changes with season - from garments to materials.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
AGB : I plan to proceed designing fashion and bags. That is never ending project, still in progress, and I expect it to grow bigger and stronger with years to come! Since I am my own boss I have the privilege of choosing my own projects and professional paths I wanna take, so I have a whole lot ahead of me, the best is yet to come!
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
AGB : I do design development myself.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
AGB : My fashion and bag labels KOMAD & BAGGIZ are my never ending works-in-progress.
DI: How can people contact you?
AGB : By visiting our web site www.komad.com everybody can find out more about me and my designs and also my contacts.