We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Pavel Kozlov ("PK").
Pavel Kozlov has accumulated over 17 years of experience in graphic and digital design, as well as illustration. In 2006, he initiated the Peopleofdesign project, which encompasses design, art, and fashion. Pavel has collaborated with companies such as Uber, S7 Airlines, Yandex, Tristan Pollock, Simple.ru, Panzeri, Radugadesign.com, and more. In 2007, Pavel and his classmate co-founded Radugadesign, a new media design studio specializing in video mapping and interactive installations. Since 2010, Peopleofdesign has been involved in various festivals and competitions as a jury member and media partner. Starting in 2015, Pavel established his personal brand, Noname Production, where he crafts illustrations, logos, packaging, and websites. Currently, he has embarked on a journey to learn 3D and motion design.
Pavel Kozlov Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Pavel Kozlov.
Pavel Kozlov Design - Simple BIO Wine Illustration
Designer Interview of Pavel Kozlov:
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?
PK : In 1999 (I was 16 years old) I tried first time edit the CSS code of the webpage. It was so interesting and I thought — I can do some interesting things with this options... In 2002 I goes to university to learn a graphic design. Now this is my life. In 2006 I launched the Peopleofdesign.ru - blog/magazine about design on Russian language, in 2007 my classmate and I launched the Radugadesign media design studio. And from 2015 till today I'm working as freelance designer and illustrator.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
PK : I don't have a studio, but I have personal project which named — Nonameproduction. When in 2015 I'm leaved from the full time job, I had experience and I started personal project as a studio. I have developers and friends-designers.
DI: What is "design" for you?
PK : Design for me it's a life. Design is everything and you can see it everywhere. When we looking to the left — design, looking to the right — also design :) We took a tea or coffee and it's packaged — design. We taking a metro card or parking card — design again. Design is everywhere.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
PK : First of all I like packaging design and ... tableware, yes, tableware it's my passion.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
PK : It was a business cards and folder for documents. But in the university I have designed a package for dairy products.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
PK : I'm focusing on creativity and clearly in graphic design.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
PK : Oh, this is incredible, awesome. When your result goes to life — you are like a superhero for yourself (for a little time).
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
PK : First of all this is good visual. Good composition, interesting colors, forms and great typographic (if it have).
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
PK : Make a simple and right solutions of some problem. It's about social, about ecology, about forms and ... about everything.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
PK : Graphic design in the general flow fades into the background. The first place is taken by the web design and UI/UX. But everyone still needs it. I'm sure — the graphic design and illustration will follow the peoples everywhere.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
PK : My first and last exhibition was in University. I was participant in the big exhibition of my classmates. It was in Moscow, 2004.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
PK : When client write me a story about company/brand or about product, i'm going to Pinterest and collecting the mood board for this project. And when it's done I'm thinking about the point of this company and design.
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?
PK : Not much words -> simple but right minimalism
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?
PK : I'm in Russia now, in the Moscow. Moscow have a much interesting places for inspiring to something great. Cultural heritage not affects my design. Many good designers living in Moscow and we have many offline and online events for designers.
DI: How do you work with companies?
PK : This is individual process. With one companies (clients) you working fast and very hard and you want to finish it faster. With other companies you working without hard deadlines and your working process is simple and friendly.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
PK : Companies -> check the portfolio and try to talk with designer about one of project from his portfolio. Try to listen about it. And if designer not a designer — he can't talk about his project with some passion.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
PK : - my doodle printed mouse by Logitech (LOGI). It was a limited series. - sound system by Creative labs - my computer wood chair by IKEA :) - cups by Vista Alegre from Tea With Alice series - and my teddy bear by Steiff and Tiffany&Co.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
PK : 5 AM - wake up. Coffee Starbucks with bread and butter. Watching YouTube channel from my playlist and working. Some days I don't want to work and going to shopping plaza, looking to peoples, looking to windows displays. I don't have a daily schedule - it's a remote work pros... If I have a project - i'm working almost full day with 1-2 hour pause. Evening - watching the movie with my wife.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
PK : Don't stop. Do what you love. Don't stop learning and don't stop dreaming.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
PK : If you're not experienced (young) designer and you don't have designer name and you are on a freelance — you must be ready to hard working. Be ready to be a poor... But for a little time :) If you're have 2-3 or more years in design — congrats — hardest time in the past. Positives — you will work with different great peoples. You will be reach if you will do everything right. Negatives — I don't know what negative about it. If you think about negatives, don't be a designer.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
PK : Do what you love...
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
PK : Listening client. Yep, it's most important skill. Second — talking, talk about your process.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
PK : Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Flash, Figma — software. Hands and paper.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
PK : 70% time for work, 30% for something else.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
PK : It depends on the task. Simple landing page — 4-12 days. Logotype — 2-5 weeks (often with full identity). Website — from 2 weeks to 4-5 months.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
PK : Haha.. why so much expensive?
DI: What was your most important job experience?
PK : Important and interesting — work with Radugadesign team.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
PK : Some agencies, private persons, It-companies, banks..
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
PK : I like packaging design
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
PK : Start few my projects. And learning 3D and video design
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
PK : As team and as myself
DI: How can people contact you?
PK : hello@nonameproduction.me https://nonameproduction.me/contact