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

Inga Jurane is an independent artist and multidisciplinary designer. Actually lived and worked in Riga, Latvia. Artist academical background is in ceramics and visual communications. Professional experience in environmental graphics, print, interactive, photography and illustration, visual identities, editorial design. Graduated from Art Academy of Latvia, MA, Visual Communication department. Participated in several art exhibitions.

Inga Jurane Designs

We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Inga Jurane.

Designer Interview of Inga Jurane:

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?

IJ : Already in elementary school, I enjoyed drawing and I noticed that I always had good grades in drawing. So, as I went on, I stayed closer to the heart.

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

IJ : I work as a freelancer.

DI: What is "design" for you?

IJ : The design can vary. A design can decorate and hide mistakes, but it is better if the design is a solution of function and form. In any case, a great deal of work and money can be invested in a design, but not the result, and vice versa - with minimal investment of energy and resources, it can produce what is needed.

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

IJ : I work in graphic design, but definitely interesting to create architecture, and interior, living space.

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

IJ : CD Album for Latvian Blues Band

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

IJ : The logo I draw for an ice cream shop. Now, of course, she is no longer there. The customer wanted the letters to be both forged and drawn. When I create a logo on my computer, it seems fantastic.

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

IJ : Paper, wood, plastic, clay, glass.

DI: When do you feel the most creative?

IJ : When i dont know how - when i learn new.

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

IJ : It is good to have a clearly defined and clear task as the basis for good work. If a lot of time and attention is paid to correcting the task, then the work will lose its strength.

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

IJ : Of course I'm happy if if i understand all clear.

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

IJ : Of course I'm happy if the result allows it.

DI: What makes a design successful?

IJ : It cannot be measured but felt when the customer or user appreciates it and is happy.

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

IJ : This is the most difficult question for me because there are many human factors involved in the decision making which are not at all necessary to be taken into account, but unfortunately. It must be said with certainty that this cannot be done objectively.

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

IJ : Most designers simply make money to make a living. Graphic design responsibility is not as important as architecture or environmental design. There are many mistakes in many design sectors. Correcting graphic design errors is not as difficult as architecture. I feel like a real disaster when it comes to spending millions of investors' money on building bats without thinking particularly about architecture. It is trendy today but sinking for over 20 years. An example with Olympic villages around the world. There are many such examples. Time is a relentless examiner for any form of design.

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

IJ : Nowadays robotics and everything related to artificial intelligence is developing. The sense of design in this is very minimal. Basically, design is not as important as programming or electronics yet. Design simply follows this fashion of materials. So far, it's risky.

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

IJ : I did not participate in design exhibitions, but I actively participate in art exhibitions and create my own solo exhibitions. The group's last exhibition took place in Jurmala, Latvia - Biennial of Painting Marina. The solo exhibition took place in 2018 at the Ziemeļblāzma Culture House in Riga.

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

IJ : Diversity in activities, nature, walks, just like most people. Good relationship.

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?

IJ : I don't have one particular style. It depends on the customer.

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?

IJ : I live in Latvia. For some designs, definitely yes. In our country, there are relatively many creative people, many artist-musicians, designers, many award-winning and world-famous. Our country is small and has something to be proud of. Of course, the economic situation is not the same for everyone. It makes you think more creatively. The advantage and disadvantage of the designs is that they follow fashion very well, which means that they imitate others well and have a sense of trend, but they also fall as quickly and new is needed. Maybe that's just my opinion, but still.

DI: How do you work with companies?

IJ : Mostly I do graphic design services for companies.

DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?

IJ : A large company has a whole team of people who choose the people and strategy for the job. Therefore, there are basically very few cases where a designer can recommend how and what to do when it comes to choosing a designer. But as in all industries, you should choose a designer whose work you like.

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

IJ : Graphic design is a creative process, just like painting or making music.

DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?

IJ : There is no exclusive design in my home because it is very expensive and the living space of my family is quite small. I like to play with lighting. Changing the shape and layout of the lighting changes a lot without changing anything. Lighting is a wonderful tool.

DI: Can you describe a day in your life?

IJ : My day is like many millions of other people. So is daily work. Duties at home, help for children. No big difference can be made.

DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?

IJ : Don't want to suggest anything if you don't ask me - if someone asks me specifically - I would definitely answer, but there is no one answer because everyone has their own thing.

DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?

IJ : Today's design is a bit distant from real life. Because the industry itself makes it very expensive and environmentally unfriendly. There are few examples where the function of helping people is clearly read. The key is bravery, success, recognition, profit. This is how I see it and I try to do the same. I'd like to change it, but maybe it's not possible.

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

IJ : The designs are different, but when it comes to forms, we go back to antiquity. The golden cut has not occurred in the last ten years. But good still.

DI: What skills are most important for a designer?

IJ : It is convenient if the author can combine his creative work with computer skills.

DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?

IJ : If the project allows Adobe graphic programs.

DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?

IJ : Time should be planned at the start of each project.

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

IJ : Preparing a design depends not only on me, but also on the people involved in the order, the more people it takes to design.

DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?

IJ : There is no single theme, each customer is different.

DI: What was your most important job experience?

IJ : Artist in company Starlett. My first job with with computers. In work at this company i got important experience with computers technical skills. Mediaparks internet solution agency. In work at this company i got experience with internet project building.

DI: Who are some of your clients?

IJ : ITERO comunication group, Guest house Kuldīgas pils apartamenti, Moonshine Riga restaurant, Property management ASH, Engels HUS, home made houses & production, ALBERI di PIETRA exclusive wooden sinks, Nato Stratcom Centre Latvia, Figure - fashion and design market line.

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

IJ : I work as a team and individually.

DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?

IJ : Most of the work in progress must be kept secret.