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Interview with Sophia Enjoy Thinking |
Home > Designer Interviews > Sophia Enjoy Thinking |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer Sophia Enjoy Thinking (SET) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of Sophia Enjoy Thinking by clicking here.
FS: 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?
SET: For me designing and creativity has always meant staying alive. I have always perceived design as a way of thinking, looking, feeling and shaping ones' everyday experiences. That is the reason that I decided to be a designer.
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
SET: SOPHIA Enjoy Thinking is a creative brand, which was founded 4 years by designer Alexandra, to promote ancient Greek heritage through modern design all over the world. Our motto is Enjoy Thinking, as we truly believe that through thinking we can change the world. The brand is distributed by SANDRA S.A., which is one of the leading Greek companies in the home decoration industry for more than 45 years.
FS: What is "design" for you?
SET: Design for me means living. It means pushing the intellectual, the creative and cultural boundaries. The true power of design derives from the conversation between mind and soul.
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
SET: Designing for Sophia Enjoy Thinking, is a fulfilling journey for me. I am fond of designing items, which twist something old and meaningful into something new and interesting, whilst preserving ethics, authenticity and transparency. I believe that inviting ancient philosophy with a modern touch into contemporary interiors is something unique.
FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
SET: SOPHIA's bookend collection is one of my favorite designs. It entails the Marathon Boy Bookends, which have been awarded the Silver A' Design Award in the category of Furniture, Decorative Items and Home-ware Design. Going beyond their basic function of keeping books in perfect standing order, the charming and unusual bookends also serve as the most appropriate invitation to “Enjoy Thinking".
FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
SET: I am interested in materials. My team and I experiment with different material shades and textures all the time. The majority of our products are made out of 'Ceramine'. 'Ceramine' is a mixture of earthy and marble powders, which we created to imitate the ancient Greek recipe. It is a non-toxic and environmentally friendly material.
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
SET: Engaging with people, who share the same passion with me has always been a vivid source of inspiration.
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
SET: Undoubtedly, all the stages from the conception of the design to the refinement of the little details are very important. It fascinates me to see an idea turning from a two dimensional drawing into a three dimensional object.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
SET: Designing is a self-exploratory process. It makes me feel fulfill and alive
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
SET: When a design is realized I feel a step closer to an unknown aspect of myself.
FS: What makes a design successful?
SET: A successful design is not just beautiful and function, but also meaningful.
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
SET: I believe that bad and good design mean different things to different people. Personally, when contemplating on a design I do not focus merely on aesthetics, but also on the meaning and the intention behind it. I always wanted to design something not just beautiful, but also meaningful. That is why four years ago I founded the creative brand SOPHIA Enjoy Thinking. SOPHIA’s rich array of home accessories blend the best of ancient Greek culture with the fresh look of contemporary styling.
FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
SET: A design ought to be in constant dialogue with the society and the environment. It should "listen" to and address the prevailing needs.
FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
SET: We are living in times of profound insecurity. However, the field of design is filled with optimism, strength and vision. I believe that in the future design will not just be tangled with innovation, but also with a responsibility to the problems that this world is facing. The intention of my designs now, but also in the future will be to make one's personal canvas - their home- better.
FS: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
SET: We take part in many design fairs. SOPHIA Enjoy Thinking is an ambassador of the Maison & Objet Show. Our last exhibition was the launch of the official launch of the new Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts' Club (RREC) publication The Pursuit of Excellence on March 2018. Our designs were included in the publication.
FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
SET: Ancient Greek heritage - constant, beautiful, true and eternal is a source of inspiration for me and modern design my driving force.
FS: 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?
SET: Our style is eternal. It combines art with design, eternity with modernity and the timeless myths of the past with the spirit of the 21st century. It is a new home decor trend that will become long lasting.
FS: 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?
SET: I live in Athens, Greece, which is a city that has always been a beacon of brilliant ideas and values. The cultural heritage of our hometown is our ultimate source of inspiration. Today, our country has been plagued by the Crisis, but Athens is currently fighting against it and is blooming with creativity. Undoubtedly, there are many cons. However, instead of letting ourselves to become "victims" of this crisis, we strive to unite with people with the same passion and vision and to promote Greek creativity and innovation abroad.
FS: How do you work with companies?
SET: SOPHIA Enjoy Thinking is a brand that celebrated collaborative processes. Due to the financial crisis, the creative industry has been hurt. Therefore, we work closely with other local artisans, craftsmen, designers and entrepreneurs. We believe in starting local with the hope that our ideas spread globally. By promoting, selling or simply sharing beautiful ideas and products together, we can empower local economies and strengthen communities, starting with our own in Athens, Greece.
FS: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
SET: Constructive dialogue is the key to work with creative people.
FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
SET: Our design process is rooted in the exploration of the past and it unfolds through dialogue with modern trends.
FS: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
SET: 1. Wall Decoration, 2. Art de la table, 3. Cushion Covers, 4. Lighting, 5. Bookends
FS: Can you describe a day in your life?
SET: Every day is unique and full of activity. I love the start of the day in our studio. All the members of the team involved with different processes gather around a big table to discuss the daily tasks.
FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
SET: Listen. Think. Be fearless. Be patient
FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
SET: You have the benefit to use both the creative and the logical sides of your brain and your heart.
FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
SET: Be authentic and never copy
FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
SET: Open-mindedness, knowledge of existing designs and accurate speculation about the future trends.
FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
SET: First of all, I investigate historical sources. Visiting archaeological sites is a source of inspiration for me. My team and I sketch at the initial design stages. In later stages, we use various software, such as Illustrator, Photoshop and Rhinoceros. The majority of our products are handmade. Therefore, members of my team, which are merely involved with the making process spend every day in the workshop.
FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
SET: Probably like any passionate working woman with a family.
FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
SET: Time varies and depends on the characteristics of the product. However, every season we present new collections of home accessories in design fairs across Europe.
FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
SET: How did you come up with this design?
FS: What was your most important job experience?
SET: Being a designer at SOPHIA Enjoy Thinking is not just the most important but also the most enjoyable one.
FS: Who are some of your clients?
SET: SOPHIA's collections have been successfully hosted in museum shops, department stores and concept stores in 40 countries, such as Neiman Marcus, Printemps, Galleries Lafayette, Assouline, the British Museum and the Louvre. Currently 25 museum shops and 400 stores all over the world present SOPHIA's creations.
FS: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
SET: I enjoy every single aspect of the design. I am involved with the conception of a design, its realization and refinement, as well as the merchandising.
FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
SET: Our next stop is Paris. SOPHIA will participate in the fair for the ninth time this September (Hall 2 Stand E8-F7).
FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
SET: I work with a group of creative people. I pay a lot of attention in choosing the people that construct my team. I am surrounded by people that share the same passion and dedication with me.
FS: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
SET: Yes I'm working on a new limited edition collection called Imperfection.
FS: How can people contact you?
SET: Recently SOPHIA designed a meaningful space in Athens, called SOPHIA Enjoy Thinking LIVE, which whispers their motto 'Enjoy Thinking', to house our meaningful creations. As the title LIVE suggests, my main intention was to create an interactive space, where one can feel alive. The conception of the space was driven by a strong passion to reinvent a new retail structure; a new kind of retail therapy. It is not just another shop and it is much more than a concept store. It is a breathing space that welcomes everyone to explore, to discover, to do, to think, to dream, to write, to share, to discuss, to create, to get inspired and to live. Someone can also contact us through our online store and our social media pages www.sophia.com.gr, ww.facebook.com/sophiaenjoythinking, https://www.instagram.com/sophia.enjoythinking/
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.
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