We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Papuk ("Papuk").
Vazken Karageozian is a Syrian-born, Armenian interior designer. Receiving his bachelor’s degree in interior design, he went on to work on residential, retail and hospitality projects in the Middle East, Asia and Europe. After moving to Canada, Vazken worked at award-winning studio, Yabu Pushelberg, on career defining projects such as La Samaritaine (Paris). Throughout his career he’s designed various custom furniture pieces for high-end luxury projects, always bringing an innovative and fresh approach by blending function with style. He now lives in Toronto with his partner and two cats (Grayson and Ella) and is a creative director of the residential department at Figure3.
Papuk Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Papuk.
Papuk Design - Connect Cat Furniture
Designer Interview of Papuk:
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?
Papuk : I've studied interior design, where I learned about the principles and practices of creating functional and aesthetic spaces. Design has always been a passion of mine, ever since I was a kid. I loved drawing, painting, and making things with my hands. I became interested in interior design when I visited different countries and cultures and saw how people expressed their identities and values through their environments. I wanted to be a designer who can help people create spaces that evoke emotions.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
Papuk : My company is called Papuk, which means "fluffy" in Armenian. We specialize in designing and producing cat furniture that is both functional and aesthetically beautiful. Our products are made from natural materials, such as wood, felt, and cotton, and they are designed to fit any interior style. We want to create furniture that cats enjoy using and owners enjoy looking at. We believe that cat furniture can be a part of the home decor, not something that has to be hidden away.
DI: What is "design" for you?
Papuk : Design is problem-solving and communication through visual and tactile means. It's not just aesthetics, but also functionality and feel. It's a process of research, experimentation, feedback, and refinement involving the designer, client, user, and context. It's purposeful art.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
Papuk : One of the kinds of works I like designing most is cat furniture. I enjoy creating pieces that are comfortable and stimulating for cats, but also aesthetically pleasing for humans. Cat furniture design is a fun and rewarding challenge that combines my passion for animals and design.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
Papuk : I feel the most creative after coming back from vacation in a new country where I feel inspired by all the different things that culture offers. I enjoy exploring new places, learning about their history, art, food, and customs, and seeing how they solve problems in different ways. I try to incorporate some of the elements that I find interesting or useful into my own design process, and experiment with new ideas and perspectives. For me, traveling is a great way to refresh my mind and stimulate my creativity.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
Papuk : When I design, I feel a range of emotions depending on the stage and challenge of the project. In the beginning, I feel excited and curious about the problem I am trying to solve and the possible solutions I can explore. I also feel motivated and determined to do my best and deliver a high-quality design. During the process, I sometimes feel frustrated or stuck when I encounter difficulties or constraints that limit my creativity. I try to overcome these feelings by seeking feedback, researching, or taking a break. I also feel satisfied and relieved when I achieve a breakthrough or complete a milestone. At the end, I feel accomplished and proud of my work, but also humble and open to learn from others and improve my design.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
Papuk : I feel a mix of emotions when my designs are realized. I feel proud of my work and happy that I was able to create something useful and meaningful. I also feel curious and eager to see how the users interact with my design and what feedback they have. Sometimes I feel anxious or nervous about how my design will be received and whether it will achieve its intended goals. I always try to learn from my successes and failures and improve my skills as a designer.
DI: What makes a design successful?
Papuk : A design is successful when it meets the needs and wants of the client and the user, and is functional, beautiful, sustainable, and innovative. A good design should balance these elements and create a satisfying experience.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
Papuk : Some of the aspects that I consider first when judging a design are: - The purpose and goal of the design. What problem does it solve? Who is it for? How does it benefit them? - The usability and functionality of the design. How easy is it to use? How well does it perform? How reliable and accessible is it? - The aesthetics and style of the design. How does it look and feel? How does it appeal to the senses and emotions? How does it fit the context and culture? - The sustainability and ethics of the design. How does it impact the environment and society? How does it align with the values and principles of the client and the user? - The innovation and originality of the design. How does it differ from other existing solutions? How does it challenge the conventions and expectations? How does it demonstrate creativity and vision?
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
Papuk : I think the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment are to: - Consider the social and environmental impact of their design choices, such as the materials, energy, waste, and emissions involved in the production, use, and disposal of their products or services. - Design solutions that are accessible, affordable, and beneficial for diverse and marginalized groups of people, and that do not reinforce or create inequalities, injustices, or discriminations. - Involve the users and stakeholders in the design process, and respect their needs, preferences, values, and feedback. - Promote awareness, education, and action on important social and environmental issues through their design and inspire positive change and behavior. - Reflect on their own values, motivations, and biases as designers, and be accountable and transparent about their design decisions and outcomes.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
Papuk : I think the design field is evolving in many ways, especially with the integration of technology and social media. Designers have more tools and platforms to showcase their work, collaborate with others, and reach a wider audience. They also have more opportunities to learn from different cultures, contexts, and perspectives, and to address global challenges and needs. I think the future of design is more interdisciplinary, inclusive, and sustainable. I think designers will have to be more adaptable, curious, and ethical, and to balance creativity with functionality and impact.