We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Daniela Komatovic ("DK").

Daniela Komatović is a perfectionist who focuses on every detail of her amazing work – from design to completion. With minimalism and elegance as her trademarks, she widens the boundaries of design with every piece of work she makes.Daniela is also a talented painter and macro photographer that makes her a truly multimedia artist. Her aim is to promote her designs all over Europe and show something different and unique to the world.

Daniela Komatovic Designs

We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Daniela Komatovic.

Designer Interview of Daniela Komatovic:

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?

DK : I always wanted to be involved in art. Apart from jewelry design I paint, do graphic design. Also, photography is my big passion. I love all kinds of art and everything that is connected with art as a philosophy. Knowing different forms of art helps me with other fields in my life.

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

DK : Most of my time I spend in my atelier, where all my ideas are born and where I realize them. This is the place where I get most inspired, where I have my peace, where my computer, easel, canvas, lighting and my camera are. There is my sketchbook where I prepare my graphic solutions. Also, I have all gemological tools and other necessary staff for creating my jewellery.

DI: What is "design" for you?

DK : Something that helps me to bring my ideas and feelings to realization so other people can see and feel my world.

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

DK : I adore creating rings. Rings are definitely my favorite piece of art.

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

DK : It's a Gothic style engagement ring I designed. It's a black rhodium plated gold ring with the big black diamond and a stylish yellow gold detail. I love this model, I wear it every day as it makes me happy just to look at it.

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

DK : A unique gold ring with a big pearl and diamond.

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

DK : Gold, precious stones, diamonds and pearls. I prefer classic craftsmanship which gives absolutely a unique stamp to my work.

DI: When do you feel the most creative?

DK : Most of my ideas come while I am doing something with my hands, but also I get lots of ideas during the day in different situations.

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

DK : I am exploring geometry. And, in asymmetry, I always look for symmetry.

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

DK : Excitement and the adrenaline rush that overtake me during the creation process, the emotions and tension while overcoming all obstacles on my way to realizing all my ideas.

DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?

DK : At the final stage, I just feel happiness and a deep pleasure.

DI: What makes a design successful?

DK : Uniqueness and elegance, a clear definition, construction and the balance between raw materials - gold and stones. Minimalism, where certainly you can see the hidden beauty and clear form.

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

DK : The possibility to realize my initial idea and the functionality of my final product.

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

DK : The main responsibility of designers lies in their power to bring positive and holistic changes to the whole world.

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

DK : Fashion week in December 2016. The next exhibition will be on May 11th.

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

DK : The source could be anything at any time, it could be provoked by different situations or moments. It could be random things or shapes that I see by chance during the day. I read a lot and very often go for long walks in nature, so my inspiration can come from anywhere or anything I do every day.

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?

DK : Minimalism, based on geometric shapes and the composition of precious stones and pearls. I enjoy mixing and playing with colors of all the precious stones I use. Atypical shapes of jewelry, I made it only from gold and precious stones, that is why my jewelry belongs to the category of fine jewelry and is unique.

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?

DK : I live in Prague, so, definitely, cultural heritage affects my design and all I do. Pros are lot's of possibilities that my city has as an old city and motivation that it offers, but, cons are, unfortunately, those that people in my country are not that much involved.

DI: How do you work with companies?

DK : I work with other companies when I need to produce my jewellery. Also, I am in contact with other companies when they need some advice regarding their space design.

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

DK : They should look for a stable, confident person, who is devoted to his profession and ready to work day and night if necessary to bring their ideas to the end.

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

DK : First, I imagine and dream about an item, let my imagination go wild and then I make a sketch with a pencil in my sketchbook. After that, I turn the sketch into a graphic in Illustrator and start creating it for real.

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

DK : My working chair, my sofa, folding chair, vase and piano.

DI: Can you describe a day in your life?

DK : I wake up at six in the morning, then I start working at eight. I work all day, only break that I make is to take my kids from school and then I continue working until approximately seven or eight o'clock in the evening. I relax when I read in the evenings.

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

DK : My suggestion for them is to get inspired without copying other designers, since something like that won't bring them happiness.

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

DK : Positive things are freedom of creating something nice, beautiful and useful which can bring happiness to everyone. The negative thing is that this creative profession can isolate you from social life. Every designer needs some space and peace while he/she explores and produces something and this can isolate him from the society.

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

DK : Beauty is in simplicity, there is no need to exaggerate anything.

DI: What skills are most important for a designer?

DK : Drawing, feeling and taste to recognize beauty and persistence.

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

DK : Paper, pencil, sketchbook, Illustrator, Photoshop, mixture for modeling.

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

DK : I get up very early and I work very hard all day long. Everything is in persistence.

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

DK : Two to three days.

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

DK : Where did I get the idea to create something?

DI: What was your most important job experience?

DK : For years, I worked in the wholesale gemstone industry where I learnt a lot and last two years, my experience as a designer in Diamond Spot jewellery store has been very valuable.

DI: Who are some of your clients?

DK : Luxury jewellery lovers, celebrities and people from diplomatic circles.

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

DK : Drawing is something that I enjoy the most as well as painting. I also love to take pictures of my jewelry and make professional photos.

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

DK : I want to continue with my jewellery design, photographing that jewellery and find more time for one of my biggest passions - painting.

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

DK : I do all my designs by myself.

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

DK : It's an early stage, let's talk about it later.

DI: How can people contact you?

DK : People can visit my website: www.danielakomatovic.com and found all relevant information, Facebook and Instagram.

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

DK : I am fine with all questions that you had, there is nothing more to add. Thank you.