We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Igor Dydykin ("ID").
DYDYKIN is a design and innovation firm headed by Igor Dydykin. Our design is about creating a deeper connection between people, the environment and the things we own. Our job is to find the most effective, convenient and beautiful way to solve the problem. We approach design in a holistic manner, focusing on strategy, brand, product design, user experience and social impact to integrate all aspects of interaction.
Igor Dydykin Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Igor Dydykin.
Igor Dydykin Design - Stoyka Sport Equipment
Igor Dydykin Design - Nagrada Award
Igor Dydykin Design - Stool Glavy Roda Chair
Igor Dydykin Design - Korobok Pillbox
Igor Dydykin Design - Uda Lighting
Igor Dydykin Design - Domik Ptashki Birdhouse
Designer Interview of Igor Dydykin:
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?
ID : I always loved the work that is visible - when you put effort, imagination and you get something completely new and interesting. A big role in my development as a designer was played by my family. As a child, I attended art school, where I received my first drawing, sculpture, and artistic thinking skills. And even during high school, the family helped organize my studies at the RENAULT-AVTOVAZ design center, where I saw all the stages of creating a car from an idea to a prototype, talked with professional designers and moddelers. This helped me a lot during my studies on industrial design course at the Polytechnic University in St. Petersburg, and then in obtaining the MA degree in Product Design in Sheffield Hallam University. Recently, with my wife, Anzelika, we created DYDYKIN Studio, where we plan to create our own projects and provide design services around the world. We are at the beginning of a big journey!
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
ID : DYDYKIN Studio was founded in 2018 by me and my wife, Anzelika. We met each other during studies in the UK, where we studied Product Design and Arts. The idea of the company arose when in the country house needed to renew birdhouses. Having studied existing analogues and not finding a suitable option, I assembled a team with the task of designing new eco-friendly birdhouses. I realized that I could design it in more sustainable and natural manner than the known birdhouse concepts. My wife, Anzelika, helped with the presentation, and it became a really nice product that the birds and the family (and the team) became very happy with. This project led us to form DYDYKIN Studio. Now 6 people are working in the studio, creating designs so that everyone in the world can see the benefits and evaluate the quality of our work. We are constantly learning, expanding our horizons, and we are pleased to transform this knowledge into projects for people.
DI: What is "design" for you?
ID : Design is a tool for creating a context of changes in a person and surrounding reality.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
ID : Today we are engaged in the creation of items for home and office. We also create tools / equipment that develop human abilities and allow you to get new experience, something that makes you go beyond the usual perception. A separate area of my interest is the creation of objects for children, since the foundation of an adult is laid in childhood, it is important to be able to create conditions for cultivating a full-fledged personality.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
ID : I won’t say any definite favorite, but I like the invisible design (like paving slabs with guides for the blind). They are invisible to others, but at the same time super important for their functionality, as they give a large freedom to people with disabilities. All we don’t notice and naturally continue to use it, is probably a good design.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
ID : During my study and work experience in various places, I took part in various projects: from building cases for electrical devices to the exterior of a car. The start of our business was the birdhouse project Domik Ptashki.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
ID : I like to draw objects by hand, make small layouts to understand the idea and transfer my thoughts to paper, then create a 3D object in Fusion360, and prepare a prototype for testing and finalizing the final version of the product. In projects, we prefer to use more natural materials: metal, wood.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
ID : Alone with myself in a state of inner peace. Then, with the correct formulation of the challenge, various creative solutions come naturally.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
ID : I am constantly engaged in research, looking for an answer to the question why should it look like this? This semantic frame helps to keep yourself within the framework of the task. In parallel, I organize the work of the team, building communication between professionals is a very important aspect of our projects.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
ID : Calmness and a surge of strength.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
ID : A sense of accomplishment and an understanding that everything is going right.
DI: What makes a design successful?
ID : When design takes its place in the society.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
ID : Does it correspond to the purpose for which it was made or not
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
ID : The designer is able to program the life of the product. The better designers understand this, the stronger their influence. With such a powerful tool, individual awareness comes to the fore as the consequences can be very different.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
ID : One of the useful directions of the design of the future is to create a connection between Human and Nature. When we stop opposing ourselves to our natural environment, we have a chance to discover something new.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
ID : In 2019, our project participated in International Professional Prime ADD AWARDS for Architects, Designers and Decorators in the Product Design nomination. Among more than 200 projects, it first entered the Short List of the best projects, and then won the Second Prize among all the nominees. The memorable marble figurine was handed over by designer Dima Loginov at the ceremony in St. Petersburg.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
ID : The fulfillment of different roles in life and the surrounding Nature are synthesized in our projects, transforming into something unique.
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?
ID : For myself, I do not highlight any direction. Design for me is an influence tool. I like to actively organize and influence the space where I am and I help people who ask me to do this.
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?
ID : Now our family lives in a picturesque area near the city of Togliatti, not far from the Volga River in southwestern Russia. We are pleased to observe the nature around us, I think it has a greater impact on us than any cultural heritage.
DI: How do you work with companies?
ID : When the first enquiry satisfied for both sides, we meet with the client, to discuss their dreams and goals, limitations, creative opportunities and market realities.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
ID : The main focus on the Portfolio since it is precisely this style, this way of thinking that you can acquire. And on Communication, to what extent this process is adequate and understandable for you.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
ID : Design project at DYDYKIN Studio consists of 4 stages 1 Start of the Project. At the first meeting with the client, issues important for the project are discussed: dreams and goals, limitations, creative opportunities and market realities. 2 Creating a Concept. At the beginning, a research is conducted in order to see hidden opportunities and find the best creative solutions. Then they are converted into sketches, the best of which are selected by the client for further design development. 3 Attention to Details. All elements of the concept are being worked out: visual appearance, ergonomic features and functions of the new product. 4 Project Transfer. After the meeting with the client to make final edits the finished project is systematized and transferred to the customer together with guidelines for its use. We are convinced that creating good design is impossible without love and respect for projects and people for whom they are created.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
ID : Fireplace tulikivi, roulette, multitool with everything I need, Dyson handheld vacuum cleaner and sound system Bang & Olufsen.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
ID : After morning exercises and breakfast, together with the administrator I check the current affairs of the projects, form a plan for the day. Further, depending on the stage of the project, we start researching, developing sketches or modelmaking. After lunch, we discuss the intermediate results with the team and generate the next steps for the project development.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
ID : Today, when any information has become readily available, the main source of your own development is your inner world. The sooner and in more detail you can study yourself, the more clearly you can formulate what you can give to this world.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
ID : The advantage of design is the ability to really influence the surrounding reality by creating a new context; the disadvantage is poor communication between design and business, which causes many problems for both sides.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
ID : Always understand what you are doing and what it will lead to in the future!
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
ID : The ability to verbalize your needs, the ability to visualize your ideas and bring projects to the full implementation.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
ID : Black pen, Adobe CC, Dieter Rams book, and everyday walking.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
ID : 20% of the time is taken by the organization of the teamwork; 50% goes to the analysis of my own actions (systematization, active ordering of thoughts, ideas), since I always have to clearly see what we are doing. The rest of the time is spent on acquiring the diverse experience to support creativity.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
ID : Depending on the complexity of the project. When fully included in the process from 2 weeks to 3 months.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
ID : Often people ask me: - “what are you doing as a product designer?” I like the description that “Product Design is a look for opportunities to make products that fill a need, when other products don't”.
DI: What was your most important job experience?
ID : For me, the experience of working in the SHURacing team at Sheffield Hallam University on a race car project was important. I liked the feeling of a team of different people charged for a single result.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
ID : These are companies in the following areas: 1) Items for life and mood, accessories 2) Environment, furniture for home and office, storage systems 3) Tools, inventory, new experience. Activity, freedom of movement, rest 4) Children's spaces, furniture, toys
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
ID : At the end, see in real life how our design works!
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
ID : Make friends with companies that share our values, from which we have something to learn. Reach the level of the best companies in the field of design and establish the implementation of our projects with partner companies.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
ID : We are family-based company realizing individual approach with engaging professional team of graphics, 3d engineers and visual designers.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
ID : We have a project STENA for exercise in a home or office. This project may be especially relevant for those who want to stay fit and develop their abilities even during a pandemic, when they are recommend stay at home.
DI: How can people contact you?
ID : Dydykin.mail@gmail.com and by phone +7 917 952 94 49
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
ID : I want to express my gratitude to the team A' Design team for the feedback and an attentive approach to our project.