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

Anastassiya Leonova is Founder and Designer FILO, Kazakhstani based design studio. She works with human senses, memories and emotions. Her products is a love of simple, but ingenious solutions. Anastassiya's interests is the ecology of the design system and how she can create a local design identity. There are interested in what can be made with what is available locally and how the sector can grow locally supporting suppliers and manufacturers as well as designers in order to create internationally viable products.

Anastassiya Koktysheva Designs

We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Anastassiya Koktysheva.

Designer Interview of Anastassiya Koktysheva:

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?

AK : When I was a child I l was very creative. I liked to make theatrical performances for my family and then for neighbors. I wanted to be an actress, singer, writer and fashion designer. My desires was changing during my growing up. I think I could become anyone. Finally I choose The Architectural Academy where I got acquainted with Product Design.

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

AK : FILO is Kazakhstani based design studio. We work with human senses, memories and emotions. Our products is a love of simple, but ingenious solutions. Our interest is the ecology of the design system and how it can create a local design identity. There are interested in what can be made with what is available locally and how the sector can grow locally supporting suppliers and manufacturers as well as designers in order to create internationally viable products.

DI: What is "design" for you?

AK : Design for me it is a way to speak with people without words. Sometimes you need one sight to understand the meaning of message

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

AK : I like designing lighting. I feel free without borders

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

AK : My opinion of my favorite design is always different. It depend on my mood

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

AK : It was a Reflects floor lamp. My first serious project

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

AK : I like work with metal, wood and leather. Sometimes I look for the interpretation of these materials in new forms

DI: When do you feel the most creative?

AK : When I travel. This is the best time to create new forms, new products.

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

AK : To be witty in ideas

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

AK : I feel warm inside myself and very excited with result and I feel happy

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

AK : Sometimes I feel empty but sometimes I have a full of power

DI: What makes a design successful?

AK : Combination of beauty, safety and simplicity

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

AK : The first aspect is a fresh idea or not

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

AK : I think that the designer has a great responsibility for all his actions and inventions

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

AK : Designer is a profession of future. All we have is our unique creative minds

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

AK : It was in Moscow Salone Satellite for young designers in October 2017. I want to hold fro the several exhibitions around the world. 1- Stockholm Design Week, 2- Salone Satellite Milan, 3- Miami Design week

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

AK : I don't look for inspiration I just enjoying life and ideas comes to me. I love travel and during this time I feel feeding my creativity. I am always reading a different literature and sometimes I see the ideas from there

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?

AK : I love minimal details and materials. Just idea

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?

AK : I live in Kazakhstan in Almaty and Astana. Kazakh culture very rich and I try to look for identity in design. What is the Kazakh chair, lamp or table? It is a culture of nomadic people. They didn't have their permanent place of habitation and they needed look for the new places with water and fertile soil and that's why the tables was just the tablecloth on the floor and instead of chairs was special pillows. This is a very interesting research in design.

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

AK : First I have an idea on piece of paper and then I make a design models. That's how I understand the construction and sizes and after that we prototyping

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

AK : To be simple and creative

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

AK : From one month to 1 year

DI: What was your most important job experience?

AK : Work in group of designers

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

AK : I develop my design

DI: How can people contact you?

AK : Using my web site www.f-i-l-o.com or instagram anastassiya_leonova