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Interview with Jelena Dinic |
Home > Designer Interviews > Jelena Dinic |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer Jelena Dinic (JD) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of Jelena Dinic 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?
JD: I was always a creative child, picking up whatever was available to me and making something new out of it. So, in a way, I had always known I wanted to be an artist of some kind and that’s why I decided to go to art school to pursue this passion.
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
JD: I spent most of my life working for other companies where I felt I was being limited due to the specific designs those companies wanted. As time went on, I gained enough experience and confidence to start a company of my own so I could have more freedom to design what I want, the way I want.
FS: What is "design" for you?
JD: For me, design is an expression of creativity; practical application of art. While art is more spiritual and conceptual, design is its manifestation in the material world.
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
JD: Throughout my career I have designed various things, ranging from clothes to accessories to promo material, but I find jewelry design to be the most inspiring as I have been in that industry for 23 years.
FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
JD: My favorite design was a jewelry set (a ring, earrings and a necklace) with a butterfly motif which won first prize at the International Exhibition of Jewelry and Watches “Sjaj“ 2015. The set was named “Sway“ in accordance with what it represented – freedom and movement. It was particularly challenging to make because it comprised of several pieces which needed to be assembled and was made of three different alloys and colors of gold.
FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
JD: The first thing I designed for a company was a logo and a mascot for a Serbian festival.
FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
JD: Although I have always preferred working with my hands because I find it to be more organic and immersive, I am aware of the potential modern technology offers, especially 3D modeling which I use most of the time.
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
JD: I think most artists would agree that it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact moment or environment in which they feel the most creative. Sometimes it’s hearing a moving song, other times it’s gazing at the night sky and sometimes it’s seemingly nothing at all.
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
JD: First and foremost, I focus on telling a story through my pieces. Secondly, I try to find a balance between beauty and practicality.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
JD: During the process, I feel excitement, enthrallment and a rush of adrenaline.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
JD: I feel fulfilled, proud and pleasantly spent.
FS: What makes a design successful?
JD: I consider a design successful when the viewer understands the story and sympathizes with the emotions I was trying to convey through it.
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
JD: As a trained visual artists, I tend to notice the fundamental elements of form, such as: composition, lighting/shading, lines, texture etc. These make a design good. But what makes a design great, on top of these elements, is the message a design sends and the emotion it stirs.
FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
JD: Design itself is and will be what it always has been. Only the tools and materials used for it are ever evolving.
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?
JD: I would describe it as organic, mellow and simple. I always try to give my pieces a sense of flow and movement as opposed to a cold, rigid feel. I’ve always been drawn to simplified and stylized designs which made me realize that less is more.
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?
JD: I live in Serbia. I admire and respect the cultural heritage of my country, I am proud of my roots and I sometimes draw inspiration from them. However, I don’t limit myself to any one source of inspiration and I create regardless of what may have sparked my creativity.
FS: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
JD: I’ve found that designers’ greatest struggle when working with various companies is that companies often don’t have a clear vision of what they need from the designer. To avoid this, I think companies should have a thorough conversation with the designer beforehand to see if they are compatible with the company’s vision and views.
FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
JD: Like most designers, I start with brainstorming. Once I have a rough concept in mind, I approach it analytically so I’m left with smaller achievable tasks. Finally, I consider which steps I would need to take to realize every single on of them and find ways around any practical obstacle that may arise.
FS: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
JD: My favorite design items at home are: a hand bag which I made by crocheting used plastic bags, a plaid woven scarf, a silver ring I designed for myself, a pair of earrings I designed for my daughter and a 3D printed mug with insignia from a Serbian monastery.
FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
JD: I would encourage them to keep thinking outside the box because the possibilities of design are endless. I would also advise them to never stop learning and exploring and to be kind to themselves along the way.
FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
JD: Some of the positives of being a designer are the fact that you have the ability and the freedom to express yourself and stir emotions in others in the process. However, there are some negatives in the lack of recognition designers often experience and the lack of stability that comes with any kind of creative work.
FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
JD: My golden rule is to never do something which I don’t want to put my name on.
FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
JD: The ability to learn constantly, to adapt, to be able to find a compromise between what a client wants and what the designer thinks is best.
FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
JD: I always start with a sketch so – pencil and paper, first of all. As far as software is concerned, I use Blender, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Gemvision Matrix, Keyshot, Rhino, 3DS Max, InDesign... I also use a digital art board (Wacom Intuos Pro).
FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
JD: People usually ask me how I came up with an idea for a piece.
FS: What was your most important job experience?
JD: My most important job experience was working for a chain of jewelry stores where I first developed an affinity towards jewelry design.
FS: Who are some of your clients?
JD: Some of my clients are: Jewellery store „Famiglia Orafi Stanimirovic“, Jewellery store „Magionni Fine Jewellery“, Exclusive Event Center, Charm Music serbia, Toyota Serbia, Toyota Zambia, DAIKIN Air Conditioners, MediaDesk Advertising company...
FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
JD: Having achieved all that I could in my country, I intend to see what I can do on the international market.
FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
JD: I develop all my designs myself.
FS: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
JD: 38.I am working on a new project, but it’s still in its infancy and I think it’s too early to discuss it.
FS: How can people contact you?
JD: People may contact me by e-mail: jelena.dinic@extomedia.com, jelenadinic79@gmail.com, and phone number: +381642918294.
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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