We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Ivan Krupin ("IK").
A designer who prefers to get to the core of an issue or topic, finding an interesting basis for a concept that would carry a certain meaning. How to achieve a certain atmosphere using limited resources, play with metaphors, create a coherent and harmonious space that still meets the main objectives - this is what attracts him most when working on projects. Create an atmosphere that leaves a mark in memory.
Ivan Krupin Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Ivan Krupin.
Ivan Krupin Design - Shiroyama Restaurant
Designer Interview of Ivan Krupin:
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?
IK : Art, design and creativity have been and are an integral part of my life since birth. My parents were artists and designers, my grandparents were sculptors. My brother is a successful graphic designer, and my sister is an artist. I was happy to follow in the footsteps of my ancestors, studying at art school and then at the Academy of Art and Design. I started working as a designer while studying at the academy and continue to live it every day. Being a designer is as natural to me as breathing.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
IK : After several years of working in different design companies, my friend Sergei Grigoriev and I created our own small studio and called it PAP design. PAP is an acronym for paper airplane. For us, the paper airplane is a symbol of concept, design, implementation and function, without forgetting dreams.
DI: What is "design" for you?
IK : Design for me is an art that comes into contact with people and the environment, solving functional problems, improving the quality of life, while at the same time creating an atmosphere and mood. Good design makes life easier, more convenient and fills it with aesthetics and emotions. It's something you can feel. A disposable cup deserves and needs design no less than a table, car or building. Design is attention to detail assembled into a single product.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
IK : I think there is no exact answer to this question, other than some general answer with a philosophical flavor. What I like to create most is a new project. Or in other words, the only thing better than mountains are mountains that you have never been to before.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
IK : I can't single out one specific design. There are projects that allow you to realize your creative vision more and they take a place in your heart, but also projects in which you managed to achieve goals with difficulty or with a lot of compromises are also worthy of attention and pride.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
IK : It was an Irish style pub. We came up with the name (Radio Ireland), developed the branding and created the interior. The pub was built in 2007 in St. Petersburg. We thoroughly studied the phenomenon itself and immersed ourselves in the atmosphere of a traditional Irish pub.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
IK : My favorite materials are wood, concreteб metal and glass. I like to work with these different, but at the same time natural elements. My specialty by education is furniture design and I always pay tribute to wood as a warm and tactile material. I like concrete for its solidity and texture, and it also allows me to play with its incarnations, such as different versions of terrazzo. The metal is interesting for its energy and flexibility of use for different purposes. Glass attracts with its levels of transparency and light refraction.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
IK : It’s sad to admit, but my most creative time of day is evening or night. I can generate ideas during the day, but the best time for me to polish these ideas is a quiet night. I need silence and twilight with cozy light accents. The best time to work is when no one distracts me and I can immerse myself in the project as much as possible.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
IK : The most important aspect for me is the concept. Everything should have meaning and emotion. I do not strive to stick out and impose the idea so that everyone understands it, but it is unconditional that I myself must know exactly what and why I am doing. This gives confidence and helps to hold the line during the realization process. Anyway, for me personally, it all comes down to atmosphere and feeling. And I believe that the grain of this lies in the very basis - in the concept. It's like key in music. Despite modulations and inversions, everything revolves around the same axis and creates harmony.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
IK : This is creativity. I got used to this feeling since childhood, when my parents covered the walls of the children's room with white paper every year and allowed me to draw whatever I wanted on the walls. It is that feeling when reality emerges from sounds, smells, air movement, memories and glimpses of the future. Movement in a spiral towards the core.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
IK : I think it's somewhat similar to giving birth and raising a child. There are ups and downs, difficulties overcome and pride, excitement when a child is released into the world and a slight sadness from the fact that the child has grown up and set off on his own journey.
DI: What makes a design successful?
IK : I can call a successful design a project that combines a response to a request, a solution to a problem, combined with minimal compromises in creative terms. Ultimately, the success of a design is determined by its recognition. When a design hits the target and generates emotions, such a design awaits success and recognition.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
IK : This can only be done by abstracting from the initial conditions and features of the project. In general, good design always gives rise to emotion and some kind of consonant response within. In my area of expertise, I define it as atmosphere. It is a fusion of light, textures, textures, shapes, functions and colors that create a certain atmosphere. If I feel a conceptual atmosphere and see attention to detail, if I feel a dialogue, then it's good design. My personal preference is for a design that achieves maximum goals with minimal means.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
IK : Since design, at least in my field of activity, has a real and tangible form, then undoubtedly this responsibility is present. When enhancing the quality of life with their designs, the designer should be mindful of how the product interacts with its environment. When creating a human habitat, we must not forget about nature. In other words, sustainable design should always be one of the goals, as well as harmony with the surrounding space.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
IK : Design has always accompanied and will accompany humanity. Recent centuries have developed design to impressive heights, making it both an art and a science. The development of technology is expanding the use of design, creating new areas where it is needed. New materials make it possible to do things that were unimaginable just 20 years ago.. As for the future of design, I hope that the human factor, as the factor of the doubting and searching creator, will remain decisive and will not give way completely to AI.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
IK : My exhibitions are completed projects that are located in different parts of the world. You could say that these are something like permanent exhibitions. Allow me a little humor, without which I cannot imagine life.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
IK : I try to learn something new all the time, study history, different cultures and everything that somehow surrounds and interests me. It could be music, it could be cooking, or literature and poetry, painting and nature. This mixture of knowledge, thoughts and feelings provides a breeding ground when it comes to creativity, in which the seed of a concept grows. Inspiration for me is to feel inspired again and, having found an idea, grow it and formalize it. I try to use creativity in all areas of my life and this allows me to always be in shape and not lose inspiration.
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?
IK : I have always been attracted to minimalism and laconicism. I was deeply fascinated by Japanese culture, which teaches contemplation and the pursuit of simplicity and purity of emotion. At the same time, I cannot single out any particular style of mine, as I try to meet the customer’s requirements. If you are a professional designer. then you must be able to work in any style, trying to make the best example of it. My approach to design is to be meaningful and seek harmony. I'll have to repeat myself and say the word atmosphere again. A seamless atmosphere with attention to detail and coherent storytelling.
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?
IK : I was born and raised in one of the most beautiful cities, which was built by the world's outstanding architects of the 18th century - St. Petersburg. His classic severity, shrouded in white nights, cannot help but leave its mark. Recently I have lived in different countries, including Kazakhstan, Australia, South Korea and now Thailand. But undoubtedly, St. Petersburg, called the Venice of the north, influences my work to this day. Working as a designer in Russia is not fundamentally different from working in the countries where I lived and often compares favorably with the quality of construction work and the qualifications of builders and standards, at least on those projects in which I was involved.
DI: How do you work with companies?
IK : I work with companies in the same way as with private clients and look for personal contact. The only difference is that the decision-making chain in companies is more complex, and there are also more people whose opinions influence the result. There is also a difference in goals, which for companies are often focused on business success. But tasks are just tasks to be solved. We must remember that the work of a designer is not the pure work of an artist, it is a service sector in which a professional helps the customer find solutions, answer his requests, and also help his business become more successful.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
IK : For companies, in turn, I can advise remembering that a good designer is a creative person and be prepared for the fact that he may not be like an ordinary office worker in general. Finding a good designer means finding a professional who can solve the problems set by the company. It is worth studying the candidate’s portfolio of both completed and conceptual projects to understand not only the ability to implement projects. but also potential. If possible, study reviews of the designer’s work and work experience. However, the best way, in my opinion, is still word of mouth, and the transfer of a professional from hand to hand.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
IK : It all starts with a concept and finding the core. Then I begin to condense the sketches of shapes, values, and materials into something tangible. The process can go in different ways and this lies in the plane of sensations. Sometimes I start with planning, and sometimes with 3D modeling, sometimes these processes go in parallel. The result should be a conceptual presentation. Next, I develop the entire project based on its results. Next, I develop the entire project based on its results and polishing the idea. During the development of construction drawings, another process of sanding and honing parts occurs. The important point is that I must decide on a specific implementation technology when I am at the design stage. Next comes the implementation process, where the first place is taken by compliance with the project, in which everything should already be thought out to the smallest detail.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
IK : Fun question. I think this is a rather strange set. This is a Les Paul guitar in Honeyburst color, an MWF garlic press, an Interstuhl work chair, an Artemide table lamp and an Ikea roller blind.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
IK : My day as a designer consists of solving current work problems and developing projects. Typically, the first half of the day is devoted to meetings with customers and suppliers, visiting sites under construction, and the second half of the day for design work. The second half of the day requires immersion in the process, so I try to plan the day in such a way as to isolate part of the day for creativity without interruption.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
IK : Beginning designers should develop their professionalism, which comes with experience. You shouldn’t get hung up on a certain style, range or technology, as only broadening your horizons and diversifying your experience can make it possible to be flexible and find the essence. Never stopping your education and self-development is also important.Confidence in your concept, which you can explain and present correctly, is associated with the flow of knowledge that you have passed through yourself. Immerse yourself in the topic like an actor preparing to play a role. Then you will have confidence in what you create. Work on each project as if it were your only and last and never lose sight of its final goal.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
IK : Being a designer is a calling, just like being any professional. Joy and satisfaction from work are characteristic of any professional, be it a doctor, a builder or a bus driver. I still don’t perceive my work as work, although sometimes it is not very easy. I perceive this as life, because design fills everything. To avoid burnout, I give myself breaks during activities where I can distract myself and play a different role. For me, this is sport alpine skiing, because the process of training and competition is also absorbing, as well as playing music. I would consider the negative aspects of a designer’s work to be a large amount of work on the computer, as well as a lot of stress leading to nervous exhaustion. I would definitely include creativity and creation as an advantage. Seeing the results of your labors, when a real object grows from an idea, is amazing.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
IK : My rule in creating design is to know what and why you are doing. Don’t design for the sake of design, but find a note, taste, smell, wrap it in an idea and concept and follow it. And never neglect the details. You should also never forget that design must be functional. Design without function is just art.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
IK : I think the most important skill for a designer is the art of compromise. This may concern the customer, technology, budget and similar things. And the main thing in this art of compromise is, using all your experience, knowledge, skills and foresight, to reduce the need for compromise to a minimum. This is probably the unusual art of compromise.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
IK : I graduated from art school before the design academy and can paint and draw at a professional level. Combined with extensive experience working with the software needed in our time, such as 3Ds Max, Revit, Autocad, SketchUp, Adobe and etc, it gives me a wide range of opportunities, covering the entire distance from first sketches to visualizations and working drawings. Knowledge of the history of art, design and architecture also helps in the work process, being an inexhaustible resource.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
IK : I would say that designing is always a time-consuming task. The most problematic is the distribution of technical work and field work. Communication with customers, presentations, work with suppliers, manufacturers and builders excludes the opportunity to work on drawings or visualizations. It is necessary to separate these flows so that they do not intersect. I try to make a plan and track it using things like MS Project and Kamban boards like Trello.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
IK : The time it takes to create a project depends on many factors. The fastest completed project took 2.5 months for design and implementation, and the longest lasted 4 years. On average, project development and implementation takes from 6 months to a year. This period allows you to think through the concept, make good visualizations and working drawings, select appropriate materials and technologies, and also take into account the technological processes of construction. You also need to have enough time for delivery, work with contractors, suppliers and manufacturers.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
IK : I wanted to joke about the cost of work, although this is not exactly a joke, but in fact they often ask what style you work in. For me this is a strange question, because if a designer works only in one style, then he is not a designer, but an artist. A professional must be able to complete a task in a variety of styles.
DI: What was your most important job experience?
IK : Probably one of the significant work experiences at the beginning of my activity was the customer’s refusal of designer’s supervision. Despite the fact that this is a three-story building with two restaurants and a club, which took more than a year to build, I cannot say its address, as this is a caricature of the project. The fact is that having taken the project, the builder built according to its motives according to his taste and what was more convenient for him. Since then, I have not taken on work without author's supervision over the implementation of the project.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
IK : My customers include both private individuals, some of whom I have been working with for a long time and can call our relations friendly, as well as restaurant holdings and city authorities, for example.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
IK : I enjoy all stages of the work. I like to communicate with customers, work on concepts, and create visualizations. I am pleased when I see a good and informative drawing; I like being at a construction site and solving implementation issues. But, I have to be honest and say that the process of creating a concept pitch is the most exciting. And the moment of handing over the object comes close to it, giving rise to a storm of emotions.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
IK : Unfortunately, irresistible forces intervened in my plans and they were destroyed. Therefore, now I am looking for my place in the big world again and continue to work on projects.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
IK : For many years I worked together with my friend and colleague, but now we are scattered around the world and our studio already exists in virtual form and I am conducting the last projects independently, as my partner started designing and manufacturing furniture in another country. So at the moment I'm working on the designs myself.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
IK : I have ongoing projects that I am currently working on. Among them are the interiors of country houses, villas, an office and a restaurant. I wouldn’t single out just one.
DI: How can people contact you?
IK : People can contact me via email, instant messengers and social networks. For example, Linked In and Behance with a search by my name or PAP design.
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
IK : I would like to thank A'Design for appreciating my work and say that this award was the icing on the cake for the 2024 competition season, motivating and inspiring me. It is very valuable when your work is recognized and appreciated, and such an impulse is difficult to overestimate.