We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Punkt Widzenia ("PW").
Point of View is a small graphic design studio set up in 2010 in Łódź (Poland) and run by a married couple, Marta and Michał Siciński. It was established out of the desire to show the world from their own point of view and present their approach to graphic design. Studio is focusing on creating simple and legible visual identification for small companies as well as for large enterprises, for publications and packaging. "Our approach to each project is, above all, analytical. We think about any characteristic features, about what we can use, we gather associations and turn them into a project, removing any unnecessary and redundant elements on the way. We like simple and obvious designs, but also those that require some deeper thought - and win the audience’s understanding only after a while, not always at first glance. We draw inspiration from everything we see, hear or feel. There's a lot from history, modernism, culture in the wider sense".
Punkt Widzenia Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Punkt Widzenia.
Designer Interview of Punkt Widzenia:
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?
PW : It's something what I really wanted to do from the beginning.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
PW : Punkt Widzenia (Point of View) is a small studio based in Lodz/Poland. It was established out of the desire to show the world from our own point of view and present our approach to graphic design. We are focusing on creating simple and legible visual identification for small companies as well as for large enterprises, for publications and packaging.
DI: What is "design" for you?
PW : I think it's a big part of our life. Not everyone can see it but everyone is using it.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
PW : I like simple and legible visual identification for companies, events, covers, publications and packaging
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
PW : If you meaning our work I think it's visual identification for the performance “Oh My Sweet European Home” with the music of Krzysztof Komeda (2014). We designed posters, invitations, a publication describing background of the music, the stage design. It was really complete work, but if you mean my favourite design (not made by our studio) There are a lot of them : )
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
PW : Most of my first jobs were focused on clothing brands, I made mostly labels for them.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
PW : Of course paper. I like to use many others and combine different materials but paper is my favourite.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
PW : Most creative is time when I'm working on a concept and I'm not limited by customer directions. But sometimes this limitation can be very useful and inspiring too.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
PW : It depends on the client. Sometimes we can focus on concept and sometimes we have to focus on production technique and finding the way to bring idea to life.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
PW : All of the positive ones. I always wanted to do this so I'm glad that I can.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
PW : It depends on project, mostly proud but sometimes... You know what I mean.
DI: What makes a design successful?
PW : If designer pay a lot of attention to each smallest part of his work, it is very likely that he will succeed.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
PW : Do I like it?
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
PW : Each time we are working on project we are thinking a lot how it affects the society and environment. Of course not always It's necessary.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
PW : It’s evolving on it’s own way. I think there will be more motion, responsive and interactive design around us
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
PW : Last exhibition took place in Wroclaw (Poland) in BWA in January 2017. It was joint exhibition presented best polish printed materials organized by PrintControl. You could see there our poster and book. Abd next? You will be able to see our packages on A’Design Awards exhibition : )
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
PW : I draw inspiration from everything I see, hear or feel. There's a lot from history, modernism, culture in the wider sense. There is a magic inspiration called good wine : )
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?
PW : Our approach to each project is, above all, analytical. We think about any characteristic features, about what we can use, we gather associations and turn them into a project, removing any unnecessary and redundant elements on the way. We like simple and obvious designs, but also those that require some deeper thought - and win the audience’s understanding only after a while, not always at first glance
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?
PW : I live In Lodz (Poland). Cultural heritage of Poland is really wide and Lodz is special in this. It's very special place for me but our works are rarely related to heritage of Lodz and Poland.
DI: How do you work with companies?
PW : Usually, after valuation of our work we talk about the project, expectations, limitations, budget and we are preparing first concepts. After consultations with client, we use to add all the required changes on a one of our concepts and then we preparing materials for production. It looks like simple and fast process but usually it takes a lot of time.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
PW : Companies should focus on looking for good portfolio. Not always famous names and awards are useful. They should have an opportunity to watch projects live or at least good photos of them. Not mockups or visualizations which are good for concept part of work and they don't show the final result
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
PW : First of all we talk with our customers. It took some times but is very useful. After that we are creating first concepts and collecting any associations. During design process we choose which idea will be the most suitable. Then we present concepts to the customer. After consultations we refine one of ou concepts and then we are preparing materials for production.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
PW : Book. Table. Chairs. Corkscrew. Packages
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
PW : Most of a day I spend in a studio. Usually it is 9am to 6-7pm, sometimes with break for a meeting, lunch or coffee with friends. After work if the weather is good I like to go for ride on my bike or take a walk home. Then like everyone, there is a : dinner, book, movie, pool, wine, beer, friends. Everything what my wife and I currently wants : )
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
PW : Pay a lot of attention to details. Each project consists a lot of details. Work on your own style and portfolio. Show what you like doing and what you are good at.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
PW : I do what I like so I see only positives : ) You can create.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
PW : You should be thinking.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
PW : Creativity. Ability to look at different sides of design. Open minded.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
PW : Actually computer is my main tool. I use Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign, Sometimes I sketch when I'm working on concept and I make a paper mockup. We draw inspiration from everything we see, hear or feel. There's a lot from history, modernism, culture in the wider sense.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
PW : This is my weak side I try not to work more then 8 hours per day and do not work at home, but when I have interesting work to do all above rules are gone.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
PW : Sometimes it takes a few days and sometimes months It depends on complexity of the project and customers requirements.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
PW : How much it cost and why it’s so much : )
DI: What was your most important job experience?
PW : I think working on events was the most important experience. It learned me how to work with big teams.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
PW : Small companies as well as large enterprises, events organizators. But I like to work with small ones, usually they are more flexible.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
PW : Complete visual identifications from logo to package layouts. This gives me control over all visual aspect of work.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
PW : We want to make some good project.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
PW : As a team with my wife Marta and sometimes we are cooperating with other designers.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
PW : Actually we are working on few projects for different industries and we certainly will show them soon : )
DI: How can people contact you?
PW : Quickest way is by mail ms@pktwidz.pl or facebook.com/pktwidz
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
PW : I think that's all