We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Oksana Belova ("OB").
The person, who to strive for new knowledge and opening. Search of Multifunctionality of objects for maintaining balance...To find the real and to remove superfluous. Search of harmony in design and functionality, an essence of a subject and its purpose. Dependence of design of things in different categories, fashion, pieces of furniture and an interior, architecture, art. Long-term experience in interior design and construction of houses, gives knowledge not only of a subject, but also of psychology of the person.
Oksana Belova Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Oksana Belova.
Oksana Belova Design - Birds Multifunctional Table
Oksana Belova Design - Bird Floor Lamp
Oksana Belova Design - Birds Multifunctional Table
Designer Interview of Oksana Belova:
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?
OB : I always wanted to be a fashion designer, draw and sew. Worked as the textile designer, but it was not enough for me. Began to work with interiors, at first in the company, then on freelance.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
OB : The design studio which I created works more than 10 years. After work as the freelancer, there was a need for expansion. I decided that to create design studio of "a full cycle" is that it is necessary for me for harmonious work. Now the design studio creates projects of an interior, carries out construction works and supply of all materials. We create also pieces of furniture and lighting for projects of an interior.
DI: What is "design" for you?
OB : I agree with the principles of good design from Dieter Rams.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
OB : I like to create and design, embody the ideas in drawings and models, to fill them with functions and value for the person.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
OB : The most favourite design, is that which was only born in the head, at that moment it is ideal)) at least it seems so.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
OB : At first there were textiles for children's rooms in which I as much as possible tried to use functionally, without having lost in design.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
OB : I like to combine many materials. The main thing that they corresponded to the idea.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
OB : Most creatively I feel while I begin to transfer the ideas on paper or the computer for the first time.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
OB : Always interested me to create objects with multipurpose grain. The project, whether it be an interior or a piece of furniture, lighting, in my opinion, must bear not only beauty but also to carry out many tasks for convenience of the user.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
OB : I think this is some type of happiness)
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
OB : Feeling of demand and the executed business.
DI: What makes a design successful?
OB : Many factors, perhaps not everything is even explainable.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
OB : Esthetics, functionality, possibility of execution.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
OB : To think what advantage your design will bring to society and to exclude a possibility of harm to the environment.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
OB : The design develops and is much prompter, then most people is ready to it.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
OB : Two last exhibitions took place in Russia in 2018, in the cities of Kazan and Samara.
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?
OB : I love travel, exhibitions. An inspiration source – a single travel and observation of the world around.
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?
OB : I live in Russia, it is possible therefore I love functionality in objects. The design for me is functionality in beautiful objects)
DI: How do you work with companies?
OB : Carefully I study requirement and the specification.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
OB : The designer must understand requirements of the company which to him show. Creation of good design is thin matter and first of all understanding of needs of the customer and society in general is necessary.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
OB : This process usually absorbs completely. Also does not release still desirable result it is not achieved.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
OB : A chair, a table, a folding padded stool, a panel on a wall, a sink.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
OB : I wake up early, distribution of affairs on importance degree, planning with time stock, further performance of planned. Evening for execution of creative plans, the best time.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
OB : to consider details.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
OB : Freedom and an opportunity to express itself in creativity, are unconditional plus. Minus, is periodically arising need of an explanation of the creation design for society.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
OB : Do not do much harm.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
OB : A broad outlook, creativity, flexibility of thinking, ability to think technically.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
OB : Sketchbook, pencil, Liener, computer.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
OB : I try to plan and place priorities correctly. Also, to delegate other deals which prevent design.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
OB : Depends on a task.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
OB : "What in a trend?"))
DI: What was your most important job experience?
OB : It is necessary to get to the bottom before that to begin that.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
OB : People who love comfort and are ready for experiments.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
OB : Design of interiors and pieces of furniture, lighting. It does people happier.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
OB : Participation in exhibitions and competitions. Cooperation with the companies in production of my designs.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
OB : I develop the projects. My team helps to embody my projects
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
OB : There are many ideas.
DI: How can people contact you?
OB : studiodom2772336@gmail.com
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
OB : I have a desire to work and realize the projects.