We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Marta Klachuk ("MK").
Marta Klucuk did not immediately have the opportunity to work in the digital industry. To do this, it took a lot of work and perseverance. And as soon as she entered the digital world as an artist, this world warmly accepted her. Marta realized that just like other fine artists, now she must contribute with creativity to contribution to this world. Therefore, she draws, develops, works with different people around the world and tries to make her creativity not leave anyone indifferent.
Marta Klachuk Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Marta Klachuk.
Designer Interview of Marta Klachuk:
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?
MK : Since early childhood I have always liked cartoons, especially their characters. It was my first source of inspiration. Having watched a lot of cartoons, I tried to draw them on paper or make them from playdough, all windowsills in my house were full of characters. So my parents understood that they had to take me to the place, where my creative work could be developed. So, my creative life began from the art school and continued in the Academy of Arts. But my specialty was not Digital Artist, my specialty is Textile Design.Somewhere in the middle of my study I realized that I want to be a designer, a bit later I understood that I wanted to be a digital artist. I had almost no idea how to do it and what is needed for it. I liked different works of design, cartoons etc., but I thought that it is too far from me and I would never get in this sphere. All the more, digital art was really underdeveloped in my country in 2003. But still I started trying to use all chances to get closer to the world of design and gradually, beginning from digital enhancement of photos in the photographic studio, later from web-designer and interior decorator, I finally got into the world of digital art.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
MK : I am a freelance digital artist, more specifically Game Artist , Character Designer, Concept artist, Illustrator. I work with different companies all over the world.
DI: What is "design" for you?
MK : For me design is the starting point for visualizing ideas. It is something that makes our life more interesting and colourful
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
MK : Practically everything where you need to create something, to draw, to think over the idea. But a special place in my work is occupied by creating characters. When I am drawing them, I feel as they become alive, they become personalities. Every character is special for me.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
MK : It is surprising, but having no experience in the game industry, my first work was drawn for McDonalds. It was a mini-game for children on their site. I still don’t understand how it has happened, but it might have been some kind of luck, because in my portfolio there were only web-designs and one character, which I drew for myself. But the programmer who worked on this game liked something in my works and he offered this job to me. As a result, I didn’t let him down. It was really very difficult for me, it took me much effort to make my first experience in the game industry worthy.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
MK : When the sun is shining and after morning trainings.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
MK : The idea, concept, functionality, emotional appeal.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
MK : It’s like a new challenge. The feeling of thrill, interest and pleasure of the process.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
MK : When you see that, as a result, your project was liked not only by the client, but also by a large audience of people, they accepted it and are interested in it, then come a feeling of happiness and a feeling of warmth somewhere inside.
DI: What makes a design successful?
MK : The skills, experience, developed vision, ability to analyse and anticipation.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
MK : The duty to be responsible. Designers, artists create amazing things, that may be either material or virtual, but doesn’t matter, as every work touches people, that is why we can influence them, their feeling and emotions and comfort, and it is very responsible.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
MK : No doubt yes. It will be even more colorful, but it will be closely intertwined with future technology. P.S.: I don’t believe in the rumours that designers and artists will not be needed, they will be substituted by robots.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
MK : An inner harmony is very important for me, that is why I try to do everything to have my inner balance – this is a source of my creativity. My sources of inspiration are everything around me, what I see, what I feel. Also I am inspired by works of other artists and, of course, cartoons.
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?
MK : Brightness, cartoon-likeness, colorfulness.
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?
MK : I was born and I live in Ukraine. Definitely, Ukraine influences my creativity in a positive way with its warmth, nature and nice people.
DI: How do you work with companies?
MK : As a free-lancer, a partner.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
MK : The task, the idea brainstorming, realization, getting pleasure. :)
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
MK : Sport, coffee, work, learning or reading about something new, learning a foreign language, communication.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
MK : Don’t be afraid of anything, don’t expect that somebody will teach you something, learn on your own, be determined, positive and work hard.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
MK : Positives: being a designer is a state of mind and the opportunity to create something amazing.Negatives: there are no negatives. There are, of course, some unpleasant moments everybody faces in their work, but it is not a reason to say something negative.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
MK : Devote yourself to the project not 100%, but 200% and more.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
MK : Patience, responsibility, ability to analyse, communication skills, positive attitude, work on mistakes, ability to differentiate a good design from a bad one.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
MK : I use Adobe software.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
MK : I am very serious about time. I respect time of other people and I want others to respect my time. In general, I have no problems with managing my time. I work a lot, I go in for sport and I created work-life balance long ago. There are, of course, force majeure situations, for example, the clients gives your very tight deadlines and the work is very urgent, then your schedule is a bit interrupted, you need to work long hours, sometimes without days-off, but then I decide myself whether I can cope with the task or not, in not to disappoint the client.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
MK : No exact answer, it depends on the large scale of the project and the task.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
MK : “How do you do this? We thought people from other planet do this ” :)Or if the client asks a question: “I like your style and your works, are you available now to work for me?”
DI: What was your most important job experience?
MK : Every job experience is important for me.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
MK : Different companies and entrepreneurs from all over the world, creators of computer and mobile games, board games, advertising companies and others …
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
MK : Character design. Because of strong emotional feedback.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
MK : It depends on the project and the customer, sometimes I work alone, sometimes it’s a team work.
DI: How can people contact you?
MK : email: martysjaaa@gmail.com skype: martysjaaa