We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Alsu Biryukova ("AB").
She makes a unique design coming from the heart. Handwork, unique techniques, a sensitive attitude to nature and traditions, excellent work with color, all this is reflected in her works. Her products look alive.Creating fashion, she remains authentic.
Alsu Biryukova Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Alsu Biryukova.
Alsu Biryukova Design - The Silk Road Womenswear Collection
Designer Interview of Alsu Biryukova:
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?
AB : My design is an attempt to unite the East and the West. From early childhood, I created something, first for dolls, then for myself and loved ones.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
AB : I create different items of clothing in a small workshop in my house. my nickname on instagram Bloombia. By this name I sign my work.
DI: What is "design" for you?
AB : Design is a way to improve, lighten, or brighten the world around you.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
AB : Most of all I like the interior design and the design of garments
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
AB : I like different works, in different styles. I can’t single out one thing
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
AB : handmade scarf similar to reptile scales
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
AB : My favorite material is silk of different textures.I love handmade products
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
AB : in silence
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
AB : The main thing is convenience and beauty.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
AB : Design is a thoughtful and meaningful work, analytics, scrupulousness and responsibility.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
AB : When a thought materializes, it's always magic. I feel happy.
DI: What makes a design successful?
AB : Design becomes successful when it solves a problem
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
AB : Ease of use and beauty
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
AB : Create useful and beautiful things, while taking care of the environment
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
AB : The development of design takes place together with the development of technology. Designers cannot be replaced by robots.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
AB : My last exhibition was held in 2018 in Russia, the city of Samara, I would like to hold the next exhibition in London in 2020. An exhibition of hats, for example
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
AB : The source of inspiration is primarily nature from a small branch to the mountains, then books.
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?
AB : My style is at the junction of East and West cultures. This is the mystery of the East and the accuracy of the West. In my works I try to take the best of these cultures.
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?
AB : I live in a place where the East conditionally borders on the West, so my work is a synthesis of two different cultures. Every day I read or hear happy reviews from my customers.
DI: How do you work with companies?
AB : My works are in private collections. There was no experience with companies
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
AB : The designer should have his own style. The designer must be consistent and confident in his work.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
AB : First comes a fleeting idea. Be sure to fix it on paper. Then work through this idea, create various options for its implementation, then consider the details and proceed with the implementation of the idea.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
AB : My five favorite designer items in the house are pouf, handmade curtains, handmade rugs, consoles and mirrors. In general, most of the items in my house are unique, a lot of antiques, a lot of handmade items.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
AB : My usual day looks like this: I get up early, take my children to school and kindergarten, return to the workshop to work, or go in search of ideal material, or meet with customers. In the afternoon, the whole family gathers at home. Often I work in the evenings, then my two daughters are also involved in the design process. I try to walk a lot and be sure to read before bedtime.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
AB : In my opinion, the most important thing is to listen to your heart, not to go out of your chosen path, to love what you are doing, and to be able to see beauty in everything.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
AB : For me, the work of a designer has only positive aspects. I can’t recall anything negative.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
AB : In my opinion, the golden rule of design is to be useful and necessary, open to new, but at the same time consistent and true to your idea. Design should improve everything.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
AB : The basic skills of a designer are the desire to improve something in using or in the appearance of something, this is empathy and the ability to hear, this is the ability to notice the beautiful in everything.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
AB : My most important tool is pencil and paper, as well as images with beautiful color combinations. It could be books, photographs, Pinterest. Sometimes I use computer programs such as Photoshop.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
AB : Yes, design takes most of the time. But the more you think through the design in more detail, the easier it will be to implement it. My most important design assistant is a diary. I like to describe the purpose and details of its implementation. When there is a checklist, it’s very easy to manage time.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
AB : It all depends on the complexity of the project. If a project solves many problems or is it a complex technology, then the project takes a lot of time. I have experience in the design of interiors, shop windows, clothes, jewelry, all of these designs solve different problems.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
AB : The most common question is: how did you come up with all this?
DI: What was your most important job experience?
AB : The most important work experience is the creation of things for the children's museum in our city
DI: Who are some of your clients?
AB : My clients are women who value beauty, quality and personality.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
AB : I like to solve difficult and unusual tasks, think over the details of their implementation and bring them to life.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
AB : I plan to create a new collection, arrange an exhibition, and also plan to collaborate with other designers or companies.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
AB : I create my projects alone. At times, I need the help of specialists to implement the idea.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
AB : I have plans to implement several new techniques in my design. I deal with them
DI: How can people contact you?
AB : You can contact me using instant messengers (+79276087308), e-mail (biryukovalsu@gmail.com) or through Instagram (Bloombia- it's my nikname)