We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Mark Melnikov ("MM").
Mark Melnikov is a concept artist and model maker for the industry of entertainment. Despite his architectural education, Mark never passes up an opportunity to improve his qualities in different fields of art. At first-hand Mark found out that it is impossible to foresee, which skill you will need in the future. So he developed into a cross-functional worker with background in many areas related to film production and game industry.
Mark Melnikov Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Mark Melnikov.
Mark Melnikov Design - Rostrus Film Set
Designer Interview of Mark Melnikov:
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?
MM : I have always been attracted by imaginary worlds because of an opportunity to create them from scratch. Incorporating the fact that I have grown up as visual-oriented person, the most attractive art fields for me are costume design, concept art and architectural miniatures. I graduated as an architect, but now I work as a freelancer in film industry – my job entails designing creatures, props and environments. I have always wanted to be a part of this world, and now I can finally devote myself to something that I really enjoy.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
MM : I think my favourite kinds are costumes and miniatures.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
MM : I like everything that allows to skip routine and save time to devote myself to the most important thing – creative process. Molding and casting technique makes it possible to duplicate hundreds of details in no time, and laser carving allows to cut out extremely small elements with high accuracy.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
MM : I believe I can be creative regardless of time or mood – this is my job, I would not jeopardise the quality of a product only because I am not creative enough at this particular time.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
MM : Silhouette, textures and details. This concerns both costumes and architectural models.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
MM : I feel that everything is exactly as it should be. Designing is my way of life, I cannot stop it – ideas come to me and wait until I finally bring them to life. If I stop creating, they will just blow up my head.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
MM : Satisfaction - if I am content with a result, and annoyance – if something went wrong.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
MM : Each design must fulfill its goal. In order to estimate any particular piece, you have to know what exactly it has been created for. If the result matches an author’s intention, then it’s a perfect design.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
MM : Unlike many other artists who are influenced by the primaeval beauty of nature, I derive inspiration from artificial environment: films, fashion collections, illustrations. I think mankind has achieved perfection in many fields of visual communication.
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?
MM : I would describe it as both elegant and aggressive. The dark side of a person seems to me more intriguing and protean than the shining beacon of virtue. My designs are sharp, and that’s why they are memorable.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
MM : I am a young designer too, and I would say to everyone: be loyal to what you love and don’t pay attention to what others think of you. There will always be people who tell you what to do, and the most destructive thing you can do to yourself is believe them.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
MM : Persistance and passion to your work. And the ability to take criticism with a token of humor.
DI: How can people contact you?
MM : I am always open to communication, feel free to drop me a line on facebook: www.facebook.com/mark.melnikov.studio My electronic mail for job offers: archmark@mail.ru
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
MM : I would like to say thank you to A’Design Award & Competition for this great opportunity. It was honour and pleasure to take part in the contest.