We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Vasil Velchev ("VV").
Graduated as a master of electrical engineering Vasil Velchev actually have more than 10 years of experience as a graphic designer in an international company. At the beginning product design was more like a hobby, but after some worldwide publications and awards he started to believes more in his ideas. Several years ago he started a project called MAGMA which have the purpose to collect all of his creations under one roof. The name was choosen on purpose. It tries to describe the designer's feeling about the original idea that stays at the begining of every project, to wit: it have to be always in 'liquid' form, to be transformed constantly in order to see every form it could take, to be kept alive till the idea became a solid product.
Vasil Velchev Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Vasil Velchev.
Vasil Velchev Design - Dominote Bluetooth Speaker
Vasil Velchev Design - Lumino Single Street Bench
Vasil Velchev Design - Galaktika Armchair
Vasil Velchev Design - Chic Chair
Vasil Velchev Design - Karamba Stool
Vasil Velchev Design - Quantum Building
Vasil Velchev Design - Fairy Tail Magical bench
Vasil Velchev Design - Ego Armchair
Vasil Velchev Design - Versus Close-coupled WC
Vasil Velchev Design - Desire Chair
Designer Interview of Vasil Velchev:
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?
VV : I started as a Graphic Designer in a department full of CAD engineers. That was almost 10 years ago. All of my colleagues were deeply involved in 3D modeling so i started to learn from them. My graphic skills in combination with the modeling gave me a very good base to start giving shape to my ideas.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
VV : The name is MAGMA graphics. The objective is design in all existing forms.
DI: What is "design" for you?
VV : The design is the first point of sensation when you see a product, the perfect harmony between shape and color, the ability to represent the true spirit and soul of the project through it's visual characteristics.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
VV : Product design of everything.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
VV : Designing furniture is my favorite. I cannot pick out just one, i love them all.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
VV : The first thing was a TV unit for a furniture company based in Turkey.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
VV : I prefer plastic or acrylic materials because of the various forms they can take.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
VV : When my mind is free.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
VV : I cannot say that i prefer or underestimate aspects, i want the product to be nice and eye catching and at the same time functional and ergonomic.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
VV : I feel happy.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
VV : More than happy.
DI: What makes a design successful?
VV : To be recognized and to be used worldwide.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
VV : To be interesting as a shape and to be functional.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
VV : To serve both.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
VV : There are different patterns in design which repeat itself so probably the future will be based on something old but improved.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
VV : I would like to show my work on a worldwide stage.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
VV : Trips and music.
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?
VV : In every design no matter how different it is, if the designer is the same he always leave a specific feel in it. I guess my style is based on the smooth shapes and bright colors.
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?
VV : I live in Bulgaria, center of Balkans, crossroad between European and Asian influences, definitely this affects the mentality and thus creativity.
DI: How do you work with companies?
VV : I am very happy when the client trust me more and leave me to do everything.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
VV : A good portfolio speaks for itself and the companies can choose easily. But at the same time its a good practice to work with young designer which are not so experienced.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
VV : The most important thing is the idea. Most of the time it comes as a lightning. The rest of the process is slow improvement of the main idea and the details.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
VV : Clock, wallet, basin, vase, shoes.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
VV : Everyday i try to do these three things - to create something good, to meet (or call) an old friend and to have some time to relax.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
VV : I cannot say that i'm an experienced designer so definitely i can use some advice. Based on my experience so far i can say that you need to search inspiration everywhere and not to be affraid to show your ideas nomatter how crazy they are.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
VV : I cannot think of anything negative.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
VV : Break the boundaries.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
VV : It is a gift, not a skill.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
VV : I use software for 3D modeling, then for visualization and last step is software for graphic design so i can put all together.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
VV : Time is never enough.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
VV : Time is a loose term in this case.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
VV : What will be my next creation.
DI: What was your most important job experience?
VV : Learning to use 3D modeling software.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
VV : Mostly furniture companies.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
VV : Product design.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
VV : Design a car, write a book, compose a song, who knows.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
VV : I prefer to work on my own, but i also have some projects involving other people.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
VV : I will be more than happy to show them on this competition next year.
DI: How can people contact you?
VV : My personal e-mail is - joymaker@abv.bg My webpage is - www.magma-graphics.free.bg
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
VV : Nothing to add, thanks for the interview.