We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Elena Zaznobina ("EZ").
While selecting furniture for interiors of other designers and knowing the technical capabilities of manufacturers of factories, she have accumulated a lot of ideas that she wants to bring to life.Prefers furniture designed personally for the customer.Studying at the DETALI design school was the impetus for the development of its own models.
Elena Zaznobina Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Elena Zaznobina.
Elena Zaznobina Design - ValenOK Armchair
Designer Interview of Elena Zaznobina:
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?
EZ : The rearrangement of furniture, changes in the environment have fascinated me since childhood. When you can change the space, and the space in turn can change you, creating your mood ..
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
EZ : My company is engaged in a comprehensive selection of everything necessary for interiors. Working with furniture for more than 20 years, I increasingly appreciate special interior items that are created for a specific project and carry their own character and mood. I have been doing product design for several years. The first models were created for my thesis at the DETALI design school. I plan to launch my own line of upholstered furniture.
DI: What is "design" for you?
EZ : The design concept is very broad .. For me, this is rather the embodiment of a certain story, plot through the form, colors and textures.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
EZ : I am interested in completely different objects and interiors, different styles, from different eras. These are the Italian palazzo and the boldness of the 60s and the technological modern interpretations of ordinary objects.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
EZ : At the moment my favorite design is of course the ValenOK/ armchair. A symbiosis of traditional and modern furniture.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
EZ : Wardrobe Pont was my first attempt at object design.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
EZ : Wood and leather are perhaps my favorite material, but I treat metal and natural stone very respectfully.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
EZ : Ideas are born by themselves, when there is history behind the interior or piece of furniture, there is a concept. Nature is the main, inexhaustible source of inspiration.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
EZ : In addition to form, color and texture, the subject must have character and mood. It seems to me that it is the mood that creates the piece of furniture around it that is the key moment.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
EZ : It happens in different ways, something is born instantly, you return to some details time after time, bringing to perfection. Rather, it is enthusiastic and focused
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
EZ : This is a fantastic feeling when your idea becomes material and begins to live its life .. something unreal ...
DI: What makes a design successful?
EZ : An interesting idea, highlight and high quality of execution, is 90% of the success of your design ... But there are 10% that can be charisma, the design should bring a positive into our life. I think this is the secret of success.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
EZ : Originality (in the good sense of the word), the freshness of the idea and the quality of detailing.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
EZ : The designer should listen to the mood and demands of society. With a high pace of life and interior should be more functional and transformable, without losing the aesthetic component.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
EZ : New materials and technologies offer great opportunities in the field of design. And yet natural materials and handicraft will always appreciate me very highly.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
EZ : Nature is the best, inexhaustible source of inspiration. And certainly knowledge of the history of design and art history. After all, any subject or mood can serve as a source of inspiration for your work ...
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?
EZ : While I try myself in different directions and do not limit myself to one style .. It is important to constantly try something new!
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?
EZ : live in Russia. It is a multi-national country with a rich cultural heritage, which of course influences the design. It is great to see when designers use techniques and materials of national crafts. In such cases, a unique, distinctive design is born.
DI: How do you work with companies?
EZ : I haven’t worked yet, but I’m glad to have offers of cooperation
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
EZ : The right choice is when the design does not leave you indifferent ... It may or may not be pleasant, but definitely not cause boredom.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
EZ : 90% - these are ideas and sketches .. and another 190% - the study of the construct for the possibility of bringing everything planned to life.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
EZ : My day begins at 6.45. In 8.30 I already in the office I have a couple of hours for creativity, I can read deferred articles, to see the latest design of the publication, work on new models. From 10 hours before 19, my main job is the set of objects. My team is beautiful and usually it's very fun ... Evening if there is no hiking in the theater or an interesting event - giving a family to me. I have three children and always there to talk about.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
EZ : Try, try again, listen to criticism and advice, deduce the conclusions and try again. But! Listen to your intuition ...
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
EZ : Make, set aside ... Wait and remove the excess.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
EZ : Perhaps this is the ability to feel the needs and dreams of the customer ... And of course the ability to embody them
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
EZ : Time is sorely lacking. The only opportunity is to prioritize, decide what is more important to you at the current moment.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
EZ : Usually this is from 1 to 6 months of sketches and detailing. The development of an industrial design or prototype can take up to a year.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
EZ : How did it occur to you?
DI: What was your most important job experience?
EZ : Perhaps my thesis was the most crucial moment. I wanted to embody all the ideas, show all the options, this is the most common mistake of novice designers))) I had to restrain myself ..
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
EZ : Most of all I like the elaboration of the concept, the birth of the project idea .. The selection of objects, colors and textures is great! But nothing compares to the birth of a cool idea ...
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
EZ : In the near future, work on a new house, a large, classic house with a garden (this will be my first experience in landscape design). And a few items in addition to Pont wardrobe.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
EZ : I am a loner .. I prefer to work alone ..
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
EZ : There is a saying - they don’t show half the work ... Let's talk when everything is ready
DI: How can people contact you?
EZ : My mail is always available lz-interiors@mail.ru