We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Patrycja Krawczyk ("PK").
Patrycja Krawczyk has graduated from the Nicolas Copernicus University, Faculty of Fine Arts in Toruń. She is a graphic designer with the heart for illustration and the eye for motion graphics. Her work has been featured in web galleries such as Behance and Ello. People all over the world who have had her work reproduced as tattoos can be seen as a living gallery of her art. Since 2009, in her free time, she has promoted music and visual arts throughout Poland. She has performed as DJ and VJ Kontrasala also known as the founder of music & visual collectives such as Soundspotting, Electric Shower, The Other Side of Techno, as well as a co-organizer of Reincarnation, Loging Festival and Technodrom CSW music events in Poland. At present she focuses mainly on the illustration and electronic music production. She is one of the members of Craftory Workshop in London. As a person she is constantly curious about the world, gaining knowledge from various fields and capable of surprising herself and others. She likes to say -'even you will never try, you can failed'. Always a little bit a philosopher.
Patrycja Krawczyk Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Patrycja Krawczyk.
Designer Interview of Patrycja Krawczyk:
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?
PK : I remember that I was drawing from a child, preferably on the floor and walls at home, with my left hand.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
PK : I'm a freelancer. I usually work at home when it comes to graphic design and illustrations.
DI: What is "design" for you?
PK : It is a well-thought-out form.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
PK : Conceptual artwork.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
PK : One that serves people regardless of their social position. I am happy when even ordinary people can afford a good design.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
PK : It was a logo.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
PK : Digital / behance / eco.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
PK : In the morning.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
PK : Project concept
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
PK : Excitement.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
PK : It depends on the extent to which I managed to implement my intentions towards the project.
DI: What makes a design successful?
PK : Achieving the intended purpose.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
PK : Functionality.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
PK : Strive for harmony with nature, at the same time raising the standard of our lives. Make sure that we live in a beautiful and functional environment.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
PK : The "design field" is limited only by technology and our imagination combined with knowledge.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
PK : 27 Sept – 2 Oct 2018. I took part in Cluster Illustration Exhibition at The Old Truman Brewery, London.I plan the next exhibition in Craftory Workshop London, when the renovation work will be completed.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
PK : The "Red Line" series is inspired by medieval engravings, allegorical thinking and red waves of light, which disclose hidden things before our eyes. The aim was to create a series of artworks encouraging contemplation, mixing the old-fashioned, symbolic narration with new media, possibilities and situations. What drives me is the curiosity of the world. I love to gaining knowledge from various fields and discover new aspects of reality.
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?
PK : Minimalism and synthesis. I was given a lot of reading about iconography and symbolism. I want to find an uncompromising form for a given meaning or phenomenon. This is a philosophical approach that is always accompanied by a certain narrative.
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?
PK : I live in England. The cultural heritage does not affect my designs. I am inspired by what the whole world offers.
DI: How do you work with companies?
PK : I believe that very well. I worked 6 years in a professional design studio so I have experience in team and commercial work. Since I decided to become a freelancer I work mainly from home focus more on the illustration.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
PK : A good designer is the one that meets marketing and aesthetic goals in the project.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
PK : idea, sketch, implementation, verification, closing of the project.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
PK : korg electribe mx, thermal mug for coffee, a big light bulb, clothes dryer, the wooden dummy head bought in a liquidated clothing store.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
PK : don't sleep too much & "carpe diem"
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
PK : The second time it gets faster :)
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
PK : Positives include the feeling of creation. The negatives include situations when the control over the project is held by incompetent people with a great ego.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
PK : 'transparency' of the project
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
PK : intelligence and passion... the rest is just a tools.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
PK : sketchbook, pencil, Adobe Creative Suit, the books: "A Man and his signs" or "Signs and symbols" by Adrian Frutiger.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
PK : I try to delegate my time - taking into account my intentions, skills and tools.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
PK : depends on what I have to do
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
PK : How do I draw ideas and how long it takes me a realization.
DI: What was your most important job experience?
PK : MSU Publishing, Sabre Packaging
DI: Who are some of your clients?
PK : INDiD, Lowhitey, Corragio Group, Make up Story, Main Core, Kulturhauz, Craftory Workshop and individual clients.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
PK : Those that are practical and 'enjoy the eye'
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
PK : Solo exhibition. Finish my website. Making interesting art projects with interesting people. Finish my website.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
PK : I develop my projects myself
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
PK : My next project is to spatialize some of my artworks from Red Line series. Site-specific installation.
DI: How can people contact you?
PK : by sending an e-mail to the address omgpatrycja@gmail.com
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
PK : No. Thank you