We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Alexander Flikshteyn ("AF").
Alexander Flikshteyn's design philosophy is centered around the user experience. He believes that furniture should not only be aesthetically pleasing but also functional and comfortable. His furniture is designed with the user in mind, and he uses his creativity to come up with unique solutions that meet the needs of contemporary living transitioning into the future but aiming for a timeless quality. Another aspect of Alexander's design intent is sustainability. He believes that furniture should be made to last and that it should be environmentally friendly. He uses materials that are eco-friendly and ensures that his designs are durable and long-lasting.
Alexander Flikshteyn Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Alexander Flikshteyn.
Alexander Flikshteyn Design - Task Multifunctional Desk
Designer Interview of Alexander Flikshteyn:
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?
AF : Throughout my childhood, drawing was a natural form of self-expression. As I matured, the decision to pursue design in college became clear, as it combined my love for art, engineering, and creation. This choice allowed me to channel my imagination and artistic abilities into crafting practical, real-world objects, ultimately fulfilling my passion for design.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
AF : Design studio adopts a holistic approach to all projects. The process begins with understanding the clients' needs and thoroughly examining the existing conditions and space. The next stage is ideation , generating innovative ideas tailored to the project requirements. Finally, to expedite the manufacturing process, utilizing detailed working drawings to ensure the seamless realization of the designs.
DI: What is "design" for you?
AF : Design is a multifaceted objective that encompasses aesthetic inspiration, user comfort, and individual expression. It serves as a means to tell a story, transport, and inspire, ultimately creating meaningful experiences and solutions for people.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
AF : I find the most enjoyment in designing projects that allow for organic development, free from preconceived notions. These projects emerge from their environment and are shaped by the problems they aim to solve, all while maintaining a balance between poetic and sculptural expression. I strive to create timeless designs that draw inspiration from the future while still acknowledging the wisdom of the past.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
AF : It's difficult for me to pinpoint a single favorite design, as I have been influenced by numerous exceptional designs from various eras. Early inspirations include French decomodern designers like Jean Prouvé, Charlotte Perriand, and Le Corbusier, followed by the works of Eero Saarinen, Finn Juhl, Isamu Noguchi, George Nakashima, Hans Wegner, Charles Eames, and Marcel Breuer. Additionally, I am captivated by the significant advancements in technology that have allowed us to transition from the mechanical machine age to the digital era, where generative complex computations enable forms to mimic nature and adopt a more organic appearance.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
AF : I don't recall frankly :) but probably a custom interior since that was my role at the time for a specific room. My job was to design interiors for multipurpose environments.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
AF : My favorite material is wood, due to its natural organic qualities and its versatility in molding into various forms. Although I began my design journey with hand-drawn sketches, I have since embraced CAD and SketchUp as indispensable tools in my creative process.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
AF : When I'm relaxed and inspired and not stressing about anything.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
AF : I love the conceptual stage, where you let the imagination run wild and you explore different variations and solutions.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
AF : I feel inspired, curious and sometimes special.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
AF : I feel pride , sense of fulfillment and excited to do more.
DI: What makes a design successful?
AF : If it solves the problem it aimed for, created a pleasant aesthetic experience and brought meaning and comfort to the people it was designed for.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
AF : Its not enough to just solve a problem but the solution should be elegant another words do more with less.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
AF : I believe a designer is a leader in what the world will look like and how we will interact with our surroundings. At the same time as a design professional you have a the honor to show people how we can conserve and take care of our planet by making things sustainable.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
AF : Its no secret :) AI is here and it is already an integral part of the future which will only get better. I think human mind and AI technology will merge to produce incredible creations previously unexplored because we did not have the computational power of the new innovation we are in a new Renaissance and its exciting for designers. This changes will bring new organic forms that are generative and will resemble new forms that align closer to nature.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
AF : Oh since school, A Design Award is my latest. Too busy working:)
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
AF : I am constantly reading looking and visiting places. Experiencing the environment around me. The brain captures all and than just puts it together.
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?
AF : I am influenced by a lot of things but I am not not sure what my style is because I'm always exploring and trying new things maybe someone from the side can see it better than me.
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?
AF : I live in United States and its a great place to live and design. However I think in todays world with the technology you can be anywhere and be just as inspired.
DI: How do you work with companies?
AF : Mostly I know work on freelance bases hired for a particular project.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
AF : Passion, dedication and openness to new ways of thinking. Listening is a great skill to have.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
AF : I sketch, than i move onto 3d sketching on the computer and create many different variations until one speaks to me more clearly and than develop it more as i bring it into cad.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
AF : 1, desk 2. speaker 3. computer 4. chair 5. shelf.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
AF : Meditation in the morning 20 minutes, my favorite cup of coffee, I take a shower and do my list for the day have a late afternoon breakfast meal and work till eve.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
AF : Embrace the current technology, AI is your tools of the future put your seatbelts on your about to embark on a fascinating future in creativity.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
AF : Designer are no different than anyone else , sometimes dealing with people is not easy so you have use psychology, sometimes ideas take time to arrive. But because its something tangible its very rearding.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
AF : Don't over complicate.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
AF : Drawing, computer visualization
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
AF : Cad,sketchup, photoshop, my sources are everywhere always looking listening, watching.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
AF : You need to take breaks, refresh your mind.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
AF : Depends on the individual process, sometimes ideas come easy sometimes it takes longer.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
AF : How long will it take? :)
DI: What was your most important job experience?
AF : Learning how to work with people and listening.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
AF : Business owners, professionals many different types.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
AF : I enjoy furniture design becaus i feel its where sculpture art and usefulness and engineering come together.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
AF : I want to create more innovative products and bring them into the market
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
AF : I develop the design myself however I have some people in my life that I can get critique from.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
AF : I do but don't want to talk about it yet just want to keep developing it.
DI: How can people contact you?
AF : My contact info afcidesign@yahoo.com my mobile 917 541 5656
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
AF : I think that was all Thank You