Designer Interview

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Interview with Dmitry Pogorelov at Monday 28th of April 2014

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?
DP: I started to draw when I was five years old. After graduating from art school with honors , I entered to the College of Publishing and printing on specialty graphic design . I had not yet decided on the direction of the design. In college I was also involved in athletics and won prizes in the championships in Moscow. Above the Master of Sports in 18 years I did not get up, so I had to leave the big sport: I entered into the Moscow State Academy of Industrial and Applied Arts named after Stroganov on the specialty of transportation design. I chose this direction because of it covers a wide area of design. I wanted to design three-dimensional objects, and transport is the most complex industrial facility. It could hone their design skills. During training, I learned a creative thinking. Practically each of my work took place in any competitions. But we learned primarily from ourselves in the academy. Teachers only directed us. And those projects that teachers are not evaluated highly always took first places in competitions. During training, I studied the effect of non-forming factors on the model of design and developed my own approach to design. And the last period of my life which is associated with self-knowledge led me to a whole new round understanding of the design , which will be reflected in my work later.

FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
DP: I work in NCC Russia. “Nanotechnological Composite Center” (NCC) is a part of Holding Company “Composite”, which produces carbon fibers, prepregs as well as composite products. NCC is responsible for the design, manufacturing and commercialization of composite products. As for me, the opportunity and the concept of the production from the composite materials is environmentally responsible, and most suitable for my vision of the future world in which there are my design solution.

FS: What is "design" for you?
DP: The design for me is reflected the zeitgeist: technologies, modern opportunities, science. Because of this I pursue analytical approach in the design. I also prefer technological and reasonable design without using of props. In today's world too much attention is paid to style, with content not paid much attention. In the process of designing embedded several spiritual approach, because this side is receiving less attention, leaving the world of technology. The combination of spiritual and technological approach gives results are unique design things. "If the technology is not exempt from the routine of the people so that they can pursue higher goals of humanity, then all technical progress is meaningless." Jacque Fresco. "In a decaying society, art, if it is truthful, must also reflect decay. And unless it wants to break faith with its social function, art must show the world as changeable. And help to change it." Ernst Fischer.

FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
DP: As it more complex as it is interesting for me. I think, that all things try to be integrated in each other in our time. And so, when I design something, I try to think, how it will be interact with environment.

FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
DP: As for me, the best design should tell everything about itself. It should be all-sufficient and intuitive clear. Daniel Simon design is very close to my ideal. If we see on vehicles in the film Oblivion, we can notice it. Sphere shape of modules is protection, the triangular shape of the space station is designed to capture sunlight and symbolizes the power of the alien invader, the rectangular shape of the house is associated with comfort. All forms tell as about themselves. Of course, this design is not perfect, but it tell us more, than things, that are only as a decorative. Form should follow function. Best design where it is less of all.

FS: When do you feel the most creative?
DP: The older I get, the more I perceive myself and the deeper my knowledge. In the process of self-discovery I become freer and it means more creative. When there is no pressure from the outside, then I manifest myself best as a designer.

FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
DP: I adhere to the triad of Vitruvius, which reads: "Comfort, durability, beauty." And beauty is on the last place. The design should be holistic without unnecessary details, so I always ask myself: "Why am I doing this."

FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
DP: I am glad, that it is not my work. It is myself. I create myself in my works. I discover myself in my design.

FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
DP: This means that I appreciated. Now part of me will bring someone a favor and joy.

FS: What makes a design successful?
DP: Firstly it is a concept that needs to find a deep reflection of a man who looks at a design object. Than the global concept, the more it will capture the audience. Second is the purity of the reflection of the conception. And third is the vision of the author, his life experience. How exactly he understood his conception and could reflect it in his work.

FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
DP: If the design is not clear for me, then I ask why it was done. If I am satisfied with the answer, then try to understand can it be done better, more concise ... If I was happy with everything and nothing disturbs, it's a good and sure design!

FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
DP: Designer must to clothe modern human needs in a shape of design products. Also in the task of the designer area is included direct of social and economic world in the direction that best satisfies absolutely all factors of human life and activity. While these factors should take fully into account the limited resources of Planet Earth I stick to resource based economy developed by Jacque Fresco and I think his approach to design the most appropriate. "If the technology is not exempt from the routine of the people so that they can pursue higher goals of humanity, then all technical progress is meaningless." Designer should reflect modern enabling technologies in their work and dictate the rules of such a policy in object space environment. Designer should also educate people's values and contribute to the transformation of the world. Therefore, the designer has a big responsibility . He must know the current problems and try to solve them using their abilities.

FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
DP: While evolving technology will develop and design.

FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
DP: My inspiration comes from the logical nature of the design object . In the design I act like nature. Think like nature, according to evolution or mutation things, on how much you want to improve or invent something new. All depends on the tasks. For example, if I designed a human, then another leg would probably unnecessary , but if you improve the brain for more effective communication without words or render any data so it is possible. Most likely it would entail drawn size of skull, and behind it would change the structure of the body. Roughly the same principle I use in the design. When it is necessary, I change everything in root, so I show visible changes in the contents of the design.

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?
DP: My design is cold, thoughtful, logical and tech. But at the same time it meaningful and unobtrusive. Sometimes the coldest design has more internal sense than the beautifully designed product. Desire to give the product "beauty" is nothing like the feeling of inner emptiness muffle and dissatisfaction with himself (it about the designer). The flower is beautiful and smells good, because this is its function - to attract insects. Product design tells a lot about its creator. Design - is an indicator state of internal world. In this sense, modern design takes the role of art: "In a decaying society, art, if it is truthful, must also reflect decay. And unless it wants to break faith with its social function, art must show the world as changeable. And help to change it." Ernst Fischer.

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?
DP: I live in Russia and I grew up in a not rich family. I had to constantly save money and think about why I buy anything. I never throw money and thought about the welfare of not only myself but also about my family. So my life is reflected in the design. Now I think about what I do that either in the design and think about the welfare of not only people, but also about my home: Earth.

FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
DP: Know yourself, then you'll feel the people and their needs. You'll feel the boundaries yourself and your same needs. If you feel better world you can create things that most accurately reflect the needs of people. Designer is a psychologist of the material world.

FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
DP: I can say, that it is very responsible and hard work which requires great knowledge of the modern world. And this knowledge should be enough to see the future. And what could be wrong with that, to create and to create something new?

FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
DP: Never resist the inner instinct. Never give up and work until the end.

FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
DP: The most important skills for a designer are the ability to see problems and opportunities and more clearly respond to tasks. Have a clear vision of his future world! And the ability to light up the idea and to strive to bring to life!

FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
DP: I use almost everything to achieve my desired effect at a certain stage of design. Often it is necessary to check anything empirically, so I often work with the materials, check their properties, how they fit. Mandatory components is a work on the computer. I often pass over the sketching stage. I prefer to think in 3Ds Max. As required I use all.

FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
DP: This is the most complex component . It really is. If you want to pass the job in time, then you must not sleep. In the design process of the project Servven: model creation and animation - it took 3 weeks. Everything was clearly laid out: 5 days on exterior, 5 days on interior and 11 days for the animation. I worked 18-20 hours a day and slept for 3-4 hours . This is a very unusual condition . Then I was very lit this idea and did not want to sleep , but I knew that the body needs rest. Well that this work was carried out at home. I used 4 computers to render images despite the fact that two of them were on the remote access. It was originally calculated so precisely that the work was loaded in 5 minutes before the end of reception of works ( work was done initially not award A 'Design Awards)! It's always necessary to do the layout of forces and cut off the steps . If something is not done, you have to throw it and go on.

FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
DP: What I wanted to do in the future. How do I see myself in the future?

FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
DP: In the future I would like to delve into the theoretical foundations of design and depth psychology influence on the design model. I would like to raise NCC Russia company in which I have recently come and show the possibilities of design using composite materials.

FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
DP: I prefer to work alone, but always use the help of professionals with an authoritative opinion on the issue has arisen in me. For example, I am constantly in contact with designers, engineers, technologists.

FS: How can people contact you?
DP: You can find me on the facebook like Pogorelov Dmitry or in VK https://vk.com/techdesigner
Mob.: +7 (903) 965 53 33
e-mail: techmann@mail.ru dpogorelov@nccrussia.com


FS: Thank you for providing us with this opportunity to interview you.

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