We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Rado Iliev ("RI").
Rado Iliev is an award-winning designer that helps make the World a better place with their original and innovative creations and advanced design works.
Rado Iliev Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Rado Iliev.
Rado Iliev Design - Orchard Stone House Residence
Designer Interview of Rado Iliev:
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?
RI : I liked to draw and paint since my early age. My parents were structural engineers and my sister studied architecture when I was in my teens. I liked her drawings and the subject matter of her studies a lot. I followed suit and started studying architecture in 1985
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
RI : I stared on my own in 2014 after I left Gensler's London office. I worked there 11 years. Previous to that I was a retail designer at Lumsden Design Partnership in London. I designed and built my summer house in Bulgaria in 2011 and was approached by clients for house jobs. I have been working on houses and residential interiors since 2014.
DI: What is "design" for you?
RI : Design is the process of creating an algorithm for production of a manmade item. Every manmade item has a design for the purpose to serve people or the please the eye. When the two criteria meet we get good design. Designers push the boundaries of product and structure making also use of materials.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
RI : While working for other companies I have worked in almost all areas of product and architectural design. I have enjoyed most of it especially when the subject of job was interesting for me. I work mostly on residential jobs these days but would take the challenge on any other aspect of the profession if the project excites me.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
RI : If the question is about my projects - the design I currently work on or have worked on at the period of time. I have more or less successful projects but would not pick one out as a favorite.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
RI : An office space
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
RI : I would not pick a favorite material or technology. Every project is specific for the client and place where it will be built. So far concrete, steel, stone, wood and glass have been in almost all my projects.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
RI : I feel creative all the time. When I work or look at other architect's work. Inspiration is everywhere.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
RI : Space, volume, ergonomy, context, environment
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
RI : Frustration and elation. Sometimes together
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
RI : Frustration and elation. Sometimes together
DI: What makes a design successful?
RI : When it serves the purpose of the intended design
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
RI : Serving the purpose, good looks and right in context
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
RI : Designers age responsible for the longevity and sustainability of their projects. Also for the ease of demolishing and recycling of the product of their design
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
RI : You should ask the generations to come. Design could evolve in most mysterious ways.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
RI : I have exhibited my paintings. Last time in London in 2007. I have participated in exhibitions by A Awards with my architectural projects
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
RI : Inspiration comes from all good design I encounter every day. In the city I live in and the design media I follow
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?
RI : I am probably rational modernist. I like the thinking and esthetics of this style. I approach design with rational thinking and clean lines in mind.
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?
RI : I live in Sofia, Bulgaria. There are many good buildings in Sofia from the 1900 - 1945 period of the last century. You can see great examples of Arts and Crafts and Modernism from that period and I remember most of them from my childhood here. Sadly many of them are neglected. Lots have disappeared in the last 40 years as well. A designer can work from just about everywhere in the world provided with Internet and International airport. Sofia is my home town and also just a little bit cheaper to live in.
DI: How do you work with companies?
RI : I have not done design with other design companies since I started on my own. Occasionally I do commissioned illustration work for other architects.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
RI : Quality designers prove themselves in the work process. If one is good It usually takes no time to get noticed. Portfolios and CVs could be misleading.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
RI : I follow the steps and stages of most designers and I learned that thru experience. Feasibility Studies, Concept, Schematic Design, Construction drawings, Tender, Execution. Finding it hard to explain it to some of my clients in this part of the world.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
RI : Campana Pendant Light Fitting by Joe Colombo, Jeffrey Harcourt leather lounge chair F976 by Artifort, Floor Light Fitting by Harvey IGuzzini, my parents bought in the 1970's, My work desk I designed for myself, The steel book case in my living room I also designed
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
RI : Up at 10. Warm lemon water and going thru mails and WhatsApp messages. Espresso at Dabov (50 meters from my place). Back home responding to urgent mails and messages. Work on current projects - sketches, drawings, calculations. Mails to clients and production people. 2L of water by 6pm. 7pm - Wine time Of course there are different days. I go to the gym as well.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
RI : Give up immediately if you feel that this is not your thing or spend a limited amount of time to find out that it might be. If it is your thing start work after picking the subject you feel most exited about or wherever they take you on. Always keep an eye on what is happening outside your office and in the wide open design world. Work on your communication skills - there are lots of people you will need to deal with.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
RI : Designer is an emotional and rewarding profession and one is getting great joy to see his work built (that is when it is good and you feel proud of it). It is great to see you your clients happy (when they are). In the process you get to meet a lot of people and some of them are interesting and you can make lasting friendships. Negatives are in the brackets above
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
RI : Simplicity
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
RI : Communication skills - all aspects
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
RI : Computer, Pen, Paper, Mobile phone, Car It used to be gun, radio station and a dog, but that changed.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
RI : I draw realistic timelines, I turn down work I would not be able to take on.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
RI : How long is a piece of string?
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
RI : "Can you do this job for us?"
DI: What was your most important job experience?
RI : Working in a large office with lots of people where I got exposed to many different jobs and learned how to communicate with my coworkers.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
RI : Professional people I design homes for. They come with different backgrounds and professions. I stay friends with most of them.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
RI : I enjoy all types of design work as long as the subject is interesting to me. I like the process and to see the job completed.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
RI : Next is the next exciting project. My work takes to different places on earth and I like that a lot.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
RI : I work alone. Sometimes seek help, mostly on renderings and technical support.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
RI : I have three projects under construction in Bali, Indonesia I am very exited about. Two large houses and a development of five villas. Looking forward to see two of them completed in 2025.
DI: How can people contact you?
RI : phone +359 879 683 079 mail radoilievdesign@gmail.com Instagram rado_iliev_architect
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
RI : Thank you for inviting me for this interview