We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Kamelia Terzieva ("KT").
Kamelia Terzieva is a Bulgarian spatial designer with background in civil engineering, interior and exhibition design, who is recently focusing on product design. Her main focus of interest is on elegance and pure forms that offer multiple possibilities to the user. She is working on a series of wall design elements embodying her design principles and creative beliefs; two of those designs were awarded with A'Design Awards, in 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 respectively. Next to product design Terzieva is working on various interior and graphic design projects. In 2023 and 2024 she served as a Grand Award Jury Member for A'Design Awards & Competition.
Kamelia Terzieva Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Kamelia Terzieva.
Kamelia Terzieva Design - Puzzle Polyurethane Wall Tile
Designer Interview of Kamelia Terzieva:
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?
KT : I grew up in a family with strong technical background, that's why I graduated Civil engineering. During my study I took some architectural courses, which focused my attention to the creative process. I felt connected to architecture and especially to interior spaces. This was my first link to interior design, which provoked later on my interest to become a designer.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
KT : I work as a stand-alone freelancer in the fields of interior, product and graphic design
DI: What is "design" for you?
KT : Beauty, function, supporting people, improving people's life
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
KT : I don't have favorites, I love a new challenge!
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
KT : The next one!
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
KT : Exhibition space for an international fair.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
KT : I like working with sustainable materials and ready-made design objects.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
KT : Inspiration comes to me at any time.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
KT : Multifunctionality and aesthetics.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
KT : Joy and curiosity.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
KT : Happiness and pride for contributing beauty in people's lives.
DI: What makes a design successful?
KT : When it fulfils its purpose in the best way possible.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
KT : Again, functionality and aesthetics.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
KT : Contribute to a better, more efficient and more pleasant environment. To help educate the public's taste and help preserve the environment.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
KT : There is no limit for design evolving. We are going to less specialization and more cross-disciplinary design, which opens up brilliant possibilities.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
KT : A public monument projects exhibition in September 2021 (Bulgaria), A'Design Award Winners exhibition in Museo del Design in June 2021 (Como, Italy)
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
KT : It's coming from nature, urban spaces, travelling, reading etc
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?
KT : My style is focused on pure and elegant forms and spaces. I start with modernity first and even when I take inspiration from some more classical styles, I aim to transform their distinctive features to contemporary reality.
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?
KT : In Sofia, Bulgaria. Bulgaria has deep historical and cultural heritage reflected in its architecture and environment. Living in a diverse, sometimes eclectic environment is a good inspiration for innovative designs.
DI: How do you work with companies?
KT : I feel extra responsibility when I work with companies and not just individual clients - I realize that the result of my design will reflect on a lot of people.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
KT : Leave more space for the designers they work with to think outside the box. This will allow designers to deliver more innovative solutions for the company's needs.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
KT : I begin with an idea, which I first visualize in my imagination. If I'm satisfied, I continue with drawing, the next stage is approving (or neglecting) of the idea and working on it further.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
KT : A piano, library and armchairs in Art Nouveau style, antique silver brooch, timeless design scissors.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
KT : Very busy!
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
KT : To widen their skillset, be always curious to learn and try new things as much as possible.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
KT : There are many positives like in all creative professions, about the negatives let's keep silent!
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
KT : Same as in medicine - serve the client and do no harm.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
KT : Expanding their knowledge, listening to the client etc.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
KT : I like first to sketch my ideas. Drawing helps me for the first approach to the matter. For next stages I work with various programs such as 3ds Max, SketchUp and others.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
KT : I am luckily well organized.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
KT : It depends on the complexity of the product and/or a project - from days to months.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
KT : What's your inspiration?
DI: What was your most important job experience?
KT : Working early on as a civil engineer. It taught me tremendous technical knowledge, attention to detail and finding the right balance between function and form.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
KT : Companies such as NMC - Belgium and individuals
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
KT : I like changing between product design, interior and graphic design. I like the different challenges they offer to me.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
KT : Several interior projects I'm working on.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
KT : I work alone.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
KT : That's a secret, but stay tuned!
DI: How can people contact you?
KT : I'm available for inquiries at dimitrovakami1@gmail.com