We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Gabriela Chelsoi | CreativeByDefinition ("GC|C").

With more than 8 years’ experience and a background in architecture and design, CreativeByDefinition brand studio represents the vision of an packaging designer & retail designer who’s trained to look for an original perspective, making each brand stand out from the crowd. The creative mind and growing desire to innovate translate visions into achievements. Every brand has to tell its own story, to be original. Using strong artistic & architectural approach, high quality 3D modeling knowledge & detailed oriented design skills, clients are helped to visualize their products before they are produced, improving communication between development steps and final results. Working with clients from all over the world, creating unique and meaningful packaging design and branding experiences is what is all about.

Gabriela Chelsoi | CreativeByDefinition Designs

We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Gabriela Chelsoi | CreativeByDefinition.

Designer Interview of Gabriela Chelsoi | CreativeByDefinition:

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?

GC|C : I always wanted to be an artist, so I went to architecture and design university for studying a more complex perspective on art and because of my love for buildings. After that, I discovered and started to explore the world of packaging design. For me packaging design is " Architecture in Miniature".

DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?

GC|C : My design studio - brand CreativeByDefinition was born to embrace a new innovating packaging design direction, to bring new perspectives in design and the work is dedicated to Food & Beverage Sector, two of my passions.

DI: What is "design" for you?

GC|C : For me design is an artistic, unique perspective that we should see and experience in all the things that surround us .

DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?

GC|C : I like creating unique and challenging packaging design projects mainly for Food & Beverage Sector.

DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?

GC|C : I have to many to name, so I will only mention the wood furniture pieces made by Antoni Gaudí for its interior's or sculptures made by Brancusi like " Pasare Maiastra".

DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?

GC|C : The first thing that I designed was a modern house.

DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?

GC|C : I like to experiment, I don't have one.

DI: When do you feel the most creative?

GC|C : I feel most creative in the morning.

DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?

GC|C : I focus more on the essence of the whole composition.

DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?

GC|C : When I design , I experience happiness.

DI: What makes a design successful?

GC|C : An innovating & catchy idea.

DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?

GC|C : Details, composition and instinct.

DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?

GC|C : Teach the society new things and protect the environment.

DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?

GC|C : We will continue to explore more an more innovations in the world of new materials.

DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?

GC|C : I had my last exhibition at the Architecture and Design University In Bucharest, Romania.

DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?

GC|C : My inspiration comes from architecture, art, nature, people, traveling, books, ancient history, 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?

GC|C : My design style is minimalist with an ironic twist.

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?

GC|C : I live In Romania. I get inspired by my country history and also by many other international currents.

DI: How do you work with companies?

GC|C : I collaborate really good with companies that are opened to suggestions, I like to share with them my design philosophy and decide together what is the best fit for their company products.

DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?

GC|C : The companies should choose designers that they respect and have the ability to present to them a new creative direction.

DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?

GC|C : My design process starts with finding an idea that I can explore, and then connect it with the ongoing project.

DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?

GC|C : My favorite design items at home are : my chairs, my night lamp, my wooden dragon and my painting brushes.

DI: Can you describe a day in your life?

GC|C : I always start by enjoying a morning walk with my dog, so I can get inspired by nature and people. I continue then in studio creating new projects.

DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?

GC|C : Be original, innovate, be curious, persevere and enjoy working hard.

DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?

GC|C : Positive : you get the chance to explore and create new designsNegatives: you can detach yourself from reality

DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?

GC|C : To be creative, to use inspiration from everywhere and never copy somebodies else.

DI: What skills are most important for a designer?

GC|C : Creativity and hard work.

DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?

GC|C : I always use my pencil,my favorite instrument and white paper. Then I use software like: Adobe Suites, Autodesk 3d Programs, Vray, etc.

DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?

GC|C : I always try to stop and make time for my family, that keeps me focused.

DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?

GC|C : Sometimes a month, other times more.

DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?

GC|C : How I get from being an architect to be a packaging designer?

DI: What was your most important job experience?

GC|C : The most important job experience was learning to explore more creative leads in the same time and choose the best one for the ongoing packaging design project.

DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?

GC|C : I love working from beginning to the end of a project - see how is born and then produced.

DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?

GC|C : Transforming more and more innovating ideas into real projects.

DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?

GC|C : I work mostly alone, however I would also like to work in a team, collaborate with others.

DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?

GC|C : I work on a gourmet high end packaging design project for saffron. I am trying to create a more unique packaging direction for this type of products.

DI: How can people contact you?

GC|C : People can easily contact me by accessing my page : http://www.creativebydefinition.com/index.html or my email :contact@creativebydefinition.com or on my social network accounts displayed on my website.

DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?

GC|C : Packaging Design is for me a complex form of design, where 2D & 3D design fused together - " Architecture in Miniature".