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Interview with Kirki Mariolopoulou |
Home > Designer Interviews > Kirki Mariolopoulou |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer Kirki Mariolopoulou (KM) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of Kirki Mariolopoulou 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?
KM: I can't say that I knew what an architect or designer was when I was young, however I had this strong urge since I was a child to find ways to express my hidden self.
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
KM: Kipseli architects is a designers network that embraces the dynamics of diversity as a natural evolution of things. With ideas, color and humor as design tools we aim for an architecture that becomes a necessity in everyday life as it is combined with other forms of art.
FS: What is "design" for you?
KM: "Design" for me is a need to create objects and spaces that will improve everyday life and an inner need to create symbols and experiences that will question everyday life.
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
KM: We generally like designing the most challenging projects for the most demanding clients. Anything out of the ordinary is a source of inspiration for us.
FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
KM: The first thing I designed for a client was a walk-in closet.
FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
KM: Our favorite material in architecture is glass. Transparency and reflection are two of the most inspiring architectural concepts.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
KM: I have recently found out the word that describes perfectly what I am feeling while designing and is called flow. "Flow also known as the zone is the mental state of operation in which a person performing an activity is fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and enjoyment in the process of the activity. In essence, flow is characterized by complete absorption in what one does."
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
KM: Usually when our designs are realized we feel eager to proceed with the next project. What is important for us is the journey not the destination.
FS: What makes a design successful?
KM: A successful design for me is a design that continually manages to impress its user and creator.
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
KM: I usually consider my gut feeling, in other words the first impression.
FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
KM: The problem in our today's society is that design has become a luxury rather than a necessity in everyday life. This is something that we designers have to change in order to be able to influence and inspire the next generation.
FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
KM: The future of design in my opinion is ambiguous. The design as we know it today will die and a new one will be born. Technology is changing at a rapid pace and in order to keep up with all this new information design will have to loosen up in order to survive.
FS: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
KM: My last exhibition was in Benaki museum in Athens during the 8th biennale of young Greek architects in 2015.
FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
KM: Mostly my design inspiration derives from my childhood. Whenever there is a new project I always try to go back to my pure thinking as a child in order to feed my creativity.
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?
KM: My country is Greece, the birthplace of democracy and western philosophy and one of the most beautiful contries in the world. At the same time Greece is a country that has been in the middle of an endless economic crisis the past seven years. Consequently, living and working in Athens as an architect and designer has been a challenge, on one hand there the light, the sun and the sea as an continual source of inspiration, on the other hand due to the economic crisis is very difficult to realize all working projects and designs.
FS: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
KM: "Eclipse" lamp by Mauricio klabin Rug chair by Tejo Remy for Droog. Shell chair by Hans J. Wegner for Carl Hansen Lemon squeezer by Philippe starck Bottoms up doorbell by Peter van der Jagt for droog
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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