| THE AWARD |
| CATEGORIES |
| REGISTRATION |
| SUBMIT YOUR WORK |
| ENTRY INSTRUCTIONS |
| TERMS & CONDITIONS |
| PUBLICATIONS |
| DATES & FEES |
| METHODOLOGY |
| CONTACT |
| WINNERS |
| PRESS ROOM |
| GET INVOLVED |
| DESIGN PRIZE |
| DESIGN STORE |
| THE AWARD | JURY | CATEGORIES | REGISTRATION | PRESS | WINNERS | PUBLICATIONS | ENTRY INSTRUCTIONS |
Penumbra Photography by Maja Zińczuk |
Home > Winners > Design #123551 >Interview |
 |
|
FS: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?
MZ: The main principle behind my design is storytelling through visual artistry. As a cinematographer and photographer, I focus on capturing emotion, atmosphere, and narrative in every frame. The idea is to blend technical precision with creative intuition, crafting images that not only look beautiful but also evoke a deeper connection with the audience. My inspiration comes from the interplay of light and shadow, human expressions, and the world around me—moments that might seem ordinary but hold powerful stories. Whether it's through dynamic compositions or subtle details, I aim to create visuals that resonate and linger in the viewer’s mind, much like scenes from a memorable film or photograph.
FS: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?
MZ: My main focus in designing this work was to capture raw, authentic moments that reflect the human experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. By using black and white photography, I aimed to strip away distractions and highlight the emotions, resilience, and vulnerability of people in their natural environments. I wanted to achieve a sense of intimacy and connection—portraying the quiet, often overlooked moments that defined daily life during such an uncertain time. The absence of color emphasizes the contrasts and textures of these experiences, drawing attention to expressions, gestures, and the atmosphere of isolation or togetherness. Ultimately, the goal was to preserve a visual record of this period, inviting viewers to reflect and empathize with the shared but individual impact of the pandemic.
FS: What are your future plans for this award winning design?
MZ: I’m still considering the future plans for this award-winning design. At the moment, I’m exploring different possibilities, such as expanding the project into a larger series, creating an exhibition, or publishing a photo book. I want to ensure that the work continues to resonate with people and perhaps even spark conversations about the shared experiences during the pandemic. For now, I’m open to new opportunities and collaborations that could help bring this project to a wider audience.
FS: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?
MZ: The concept for this project developed organically during the pandemic and was created spontaneously in response to the events unfolding at the time. There wasn’t a set timeline – it evolved naturally as I captured moments that felt significant. The process was driven by the need to document and reflect on what was happening around me, so the design grew over the course of the pandemic, shaped by the experiences and emotions of the moment.
FS: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?
MZ: This project was not commissioned – I decided to pursue it out of personal inspiration. The concept came from a desire to capture the unique and often overlooked moments of daily life during the pandemic. I felt a need to document the emotions and experiences of people in their natural environments, reflecting the reality of that time. It was a spontaneous and organic process, driven by a passion for storytelling through photography.
FS: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?
MZ: I plan to sell these photographs. At the moment, the work is not being produced or used by another company, but I’m open to opportunities for collaboration or licensing. My goal is to find the right platform or buyer that aligns with the vision and message of the project, ensuring that the images reach a wider audience while preserving their emotional and artistic value.
FS: What made you design this particular type of work?
MZ: I was inspired to create this work by the desire to capture the raw, unfiltered moments of daily life during the pandemic, especially those of the people around me – my friends, my community, and my son. The uncertainty, isolation, and quiet strength I witnessed in them felt important to document. Photography became a way to preserve these emotions and experiences, offering a visual reflection of that period. I chose black and white to emphasize the mood and timelessness of the subject matter, stripping away distractions to focus on the people and their stories. This project was driven by personal inspiration and a need to process and share the human side of such a challenging time.
FS: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?
MZ: There weren’t specific designers or designs that directly influenced the work, inspiration came from classic black and white photography, documentary photographers, and artists who focus on capturing raw human emotion and everyday life. Photographers like Dorothea Lange, Henri Cartier-Bresson, or Sally Mann, whose ability to tell powerful stories through simple yet striking imagery may have shaped my approach.
FS: Who is the target customer for his design?
MZ: The target audience for this design is individuals and organizations interested in powerful, emotional storytelling through photography. This includes art collectors, galleries, and photography enthusiasts.It also appeals to those involved in social issues, mental health awareness, and those interested in the human side of historical events like the pandemic.Additionally, the project could resonate with individuals looking for meaningful art that reflects resilience, connection, and the shared experience of a global crisis.
FS: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?
MZ: What sets this design apart is its raw, intimate portrayal of everyday life during the pandemic, capturing not only the challenges but also the quiet moments of resilience and humanity. Unlike many other works that focus on the broader impact of the pandemic, this project highlights personal, natural situations—moments with people I know, including friends. This creates a more personal and relatable connection, allowing viewers to see themselves in the images and reflect on their own experiences during such a unique and uncertain time.
FS: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?
MZ: In photography, the term "penumbra" refers to the partial shadow between light and darkness, symbolizing the emotional and psychological states people experienced during this time—caught between hope and fear, connection and isolation. The title also reflects the idea of being in the "in-between," where life was neither fully normal nor fully defined by the crisis. It speaks to the nuanced, often overlooked moments in the lives of individuals during such a profound period, and the sense of ambiguity that many felt in the midst of global uncertainty.
FS: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?
MZ: For this project, I used exclusively a Nikon D800 camera. The black and white settings were configured directly within the camera, allowing me to capture the images with the desired contrast and mood from the start.
FS: What is the most unique aspect of your design?
MZ: This personal approach, combined with the stark simplicity of the images, creates connection with viewers, making the work not just a record of the pandemic, but a universal reflection on human experience during times of crisis.
FS: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?
MZ: For this design, I did not collaborate with anyone who had technical or specialized skills. The project was a personal endeavor, and I worked independently, using my own experience and creative vision to capture the images. The process involved no external collaboration, allowing me to fully express my ideas and approach to the subject matter.
FS: What is the role of technology in this particular design?
MZ: In this particular design, technology plays a key role in capturing and enhancing the visual storytelling. The Nikon D800 camera allowed me to precisely control the settings, especially for the black and white imagery, ensuring the desired mood and contrast were achieved directly in-camera. While the focus was on capturing authentic, natural moments, the technology behind the camera was essential in bringing my creative vision to life. The use of digital tools also allowed for a high level of precision in documenting the emotions and details of the subjects, making it possible to produce high-quality, impactful images without the need for extensive post-processing.
FS: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?
MZ: My design is not directly influenced by data or analytical research. Instead, it was driven by personal experience and observation of the world around me.However, in a broader sense, I did conduct research in terms of understanding the psychological and emotional impact of the pandemic on individuals. I observed how people were coping, the isolation they experienced, and the resilience they showed, which informed my approach to the project. The research was more intuitive and observational, grounded in human connection and shared experiences, rather than data-driven.
FS: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?
MZ: Additionally, photographing people in intimate, natural situations meant dealing with the vulnerability of the subjects. It required creating a sense of trust and comfort, especially during a time when people were already experiencing a lot of emotional strain. Balancing the technical and emotional aspects of the work while remaining sensitive to the subjects was a delicate process.
FS: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?
MZ: Submitting to an international competition allowed me to challenge myself and receive feedback from a broader, more diverse group of professionals, which could further inform my growth as a photographer and artist.
FS: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?
MZ: Technically, I refined my skills in working with black and white photography, learning to play with light, contrast, and shadows to evoke emotion without relying on color. This project also taught me how to embrace spontaneity and intuition in my work, rather than overthinking the process. Ultimately, I grew as a storyteller, realizing how much emotion and depth can be captured through simple, natural moments, and how powerful visual storytelling can be in conveying complex human experiences.
FS: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
MZ: I would like to emphasize how this project is not just about documenting a period of crisis, but about celebrating human resilience, connection, and the quiet strength that emerged from such challenging circumstances. The work is a reminder of the importance of empathy and understanding, and how shared experiences can bring us closer together, even in the most difficult times.
FS: Thank you for providing us with this opportunity to interview you.
A' Design Award and Competitions grants rights to press members and bloggers to use parts of this interview. This interview is provided as it is; DesignPRWire and A' Design Award and Competitions cannot be held responsible for the answers given by participating designers.
| SOCIAL |
| + Add to Likes / Favorites | Send to My Email | Comment | View Press-Release | Translations |
