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Interview with Nataliia Gogolieva |
Home > Designer Interviews > Nataliia Gogolieva |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer Nataliia Gogolieva (NG) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of Nataliia Gogolieva 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?
NG: All I loved when a child was painting and drawing. When I started my university education, I didn’t choose the designer’s major at once, but in a couple of years my compassion to this activity turned me 1800 and I quit my education in Kyiv Polytechnic Institute by Sikorskiy, where I studied chemistry engineering and applied to Mykhailo Boichuk Kyiv State Academy of Decorative-Applied Arts and Design to study the environmental design. My profession gives me the sense of my existence. When I develop a design, I realize that this is the place developed by me for someone and a shared a part of my soul with my customer. I wish that when someone comes home – to the apartment, house, restaurant – he would feel what I have given into this design.
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
NG: We are a design studio, founded in Kyiv, Ukraine in 2014. We develop many architect designs all over our country – interior and exterior design of buildings, restaurants, offices and apartments with further implementation. We plan to go overseas now. The main thing in ENGI Interior Design studio to deliver what the customer expects and for the reasonable price, of course. I always disliked in my profession, that there were many constrains and argues for a customer during ordering design of a house or an apartment. E.g.: “if you pay this price, you will get only one picture. If you want more, you should pay more”. Then you have no idea how much the professional’s work will cost you. Or: “we don’t do this or that. You may not to order, if you don’t like it”. Such an attitude to a customer drove me mad. So my goal became to create a high level design studio, where “a customer is always right”. There are peculiarities, of course, but they are so minor, that they cause no problem to a customer. Also, our studio has taken up a high-scale challenge – a synergy of Ukrainian style with a modern design in interior and architecture worldwide. we’ll strive for our success.
FS: What is "design" for you?
NG: Designing is a professional field, where creative guys with engineering mind come together and where they solve many global issues. The main essential solution for the human is a beauty, comfort and utility. No one is ever interested how it was achieved, but everyone simple uses the result. Therefore, design became essential, as it is worthwhile. I have chosen this profession namely for this reason - I feel that I can be useful to this world and will do the best I can. So that the design that our ENGI Design studio makes could give joy and comfort in everyone’s life. So that our ideas would be the foundation for global solutions and would help people.
FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
NG: Architectural design, of course. When I was at school, I loved exact sciences – maths and painting with compassion. I guess it determined this kind of design as my favourite.
FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
NG: The first project we took up was the apartment in Yalta, Crimea, Ukraine. It wasn’t laid out efficiently and we had to solve many puzzles, how to locate the furniture in an efficient manner.
FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
NG: My favorite technology is brush painting with a cat fur, used to create beautiful paintings in the village of Petrykivka, Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukraine; wood carving and ceramics painting technology, where the paint changes its color when baked, was created in Kosiv, Ivano-Frankivsk region, Ukraine; smooth embroidery on textile technology in Polissia, Ukraine. And, of course, the technology of white-lime walls.
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
NG: When at home, I have some time to meditate. Then I start creating. Then my mind begins to see extraordinary things and remember them and after that the idea is born. I’m in the course of one of such idea’s development, which I’m exposing to you and the world.
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
NG: Efficiency and implementation. I initially studied a technical major, that’s why this concept has formed.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
NG: You feel like you can do anything. You start creating, and it becomes so intriguing that you keep making sketches. When you feel you’ve gained the desired one, you start turning it into a project that eventually goes viable. And it's cool!
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
NG: It depends. To be honest, I have very few photos of implemented projects. It’s not because we've done few refurbishments, vice versa, we've done a lot. They are all great, but somewhat alike many others. Why take photos of what's already in many interiors? However, there are some, namely the photos of implemented projects. These projects were heartfelt. Heartfelt with the clients, when they were created and they understood you, giving you the freedom to work with an idea that, of course, had to fit the project's budget. And there are those emotions that both my team and I feel now - from creating something that doesn't exist, something that, in my opinion, the world longs for. Something that will help the craftsmen who shape our national identity.
FS: What makes a design successful?
NG: What’s invested “in a heart” of a design.
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
NG: When the spirit is invested in the project. I dislike when professionals work as designers just for money or because it’s fashionable at this moment.
FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
NG: Hard questions. I must think it over...
FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
NG: In my opinion, now a design tends to simplification in everything - in forms, in colors, in composition, but at the same time it lacks something what gives a home comfort. Therefore, I cannot say where the design will come in 5-10 years, but I know exactly that many factors influence this field, including natural ones, that encourage constant changes and solution of more and more global problems in society. Perhaps, in 5 years we will design and develop houses on other planets. Who knows…
FS: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
NG: It was in Italy, our esteemed designs have been showcased at the Festival of Architecture and Interior Design in Mumbai, India and the Heibei International Design Week in Heibei.
FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
NG: In prominent people and in my husband, who, through the realization of their ideas, have been able to accomplish extraordinary things for society. They have not only helped but also made our lives more comfortable and interesting. Zaha Hadid – as when I was a I was very impressed with the scale of the idea, which this outstanding architect was could develop and create its unique style to. Young Elon Musk, because my thoughts are very similar to his. The movement that he began, the ideas that he initiated and is developing are simply phenomenal. The most inspiring is that no one had done such a difficult task before him, and he had the courage to start and not to quit. That's awesome. And my husband. His company is involved in water purification throughout Ukraine. His ideas and desire to make the water purification process more technologically sophisticated are so significant that they can drive changes in the market within this industry. They aim to improve the water supply services water purification services for consumers to a higher level. This inspires me because each of these individuals helps or wants to help society. With the help of such people, we have what we have today
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?
NG: I have not yet formed a name for the design style I'm working with; I'm still exploring it. I began working with this form of art in 2018, I was inspired by many minor things to start creating. First, it was the period of my life spent at the Mykhailo Boichuk Kyiv State Academy of Decorative-Applied Arts and Design, and the masters who taught us there. Second, it was the knowledge of culture which my husband was telling me from his ancestors in Polissia. My husband is from a small village where people greatly respect traditions and convey their historical heritage from generation to generation, as it was inherited from their parents. Unfortunately, when I look at the modern world now, I've started to analyze things. Nowadays, more and more people seem to be forgetting their roots. The modern world is becoming very sterile, not really cozy. In my opinion, Ukraine and the people who have lived here since the beginning, have initiated a design style that should not be lost but rather developed.
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?
NG: I live in Kyiv, Ukraine. Of course, it does. Cons – the war.
FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
NG: We need to split my creative activity into two categories - when we work on a project for a customer under a specified SOW and when we implement our own project for people. I can tell you about the second one. First, you get a cool idea. Then you do all what is needed to make it true…
FS: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
NG: I have only one so far – This is a painting with Petrykivka painting from the "JYTTIA Kvitka" collection. The collection is on ENGI Design Studio website.
FS: Can you describe a day in your life?
NG: Which exactly? Every day goes differently, so it’s hard to exactly describe a typical day.
FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
NG: Not to be afraid. If there is a feeling that the project is valuable, even if it is small or there is no feeling that this project is in line with others, always remain faithful to your idea and only advance forward.
FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
NG: Positive - it involves being creative, responsible, tactful, and, above all, delivering a great "product" as a result, with the money aspect being secondary. Negative – selfish confidence, like “the customer is ignorant, I-know-what’s-better-for-him”.
FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
NG: No restrictions for an idea, work hard for a result.
FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
NG: A creative mind is the most critical and all other skills can be obtained.
FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
NG: I usually draw the first sketches with a pencil. This way, the initial idea is born.
FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
NG: I always compose an action plan and a monthly or weekly master schedule in my phone calendar, depending on the workload.
FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
NG: It depends on the circumstances and the scope of the project (such as the area). We strive to meet the deadlines that the client foresees. If, for example, we need to complete a project for a 500-1000 square meter space in a month, we simply create a team of experts who can meet that deadline.
FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
NG: I’ve got no answer on this question.
FS: What was your most important job experience?
NG: I had two. Both were apartments, among the first projects I worked on when I was just starting my creative journey. I managed both projects simultaneously, and both involved refurbishments based on my designs. At that time, I was still inexperienced, but I had already completed one refurbishment and thought I knew a lot. However, in one of the apartments, the clients raised many questions I couldn't answer because I didn't know how. Having realized it, the clients began demanding a refund, leading to a significant conflict. I was deeply concerned about this project due to my lack of experience. After this case, I had doubts if I could go on… Simultaneously, I was overseeing another renovation in a high-end apartment, and I was under tremendous stress to ensure its successful completion. Surprisingly, on this project the client supported me. He was actively involved in the refurbishment, accompanied me everywhere, and, at the end, thanked me for my responsible approach to his apartment. On our last meeting, he said, "Always remain the way you are!" These words will stay with me forever, and they made a great impact for me towards the future.
FS: Who are some of your clients?
NG: Business and ordinary people, various sphere companies (hotels, restaurants, IT business, beauty salons, etc). We develop designs of apartments, cottages, offices, restaurants, hotels, etc.
FS: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
NG: The JYTTIA is a large project consisting of three parts. It is an architectural part directly named JYTTIA, an interior design named JYTTIA Inside and a subjective design composed of a series of paintings named JYTTIA Kvitka. The name of the project is the word "life", which is written in Ukrainian, but transliterated in Latin. I have chosen the project name myself, because those tragic moments that Ukraine is experiencing are immersing people’s lives in blackout. JYTTIA project is a flower, which will certainly blossom when the sun rises. We took this project up to show the world that we reborn, that we have a great history and that there are great professionals, who make Ukraine blossom and defend on their frontline, as well as those who keep Ukraine independent.
FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
NG: We will proceed and see further.
FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
NG: Surely, the team helps me.
FS: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
NG: There is a project in progress, which I plan to reveal in 2024.
FS: How can people contact you?
NG: You can find all contact information at https://www.engi.kiev.ua/en/kontakti/
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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