Vasil Velchev

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Vasil Velchev ("VV") for their original perspective and innovative approach to design as well as their creative lifestyle, we are very pleased to share our interview with our distinguished readers.

DL: Could you please tell us a bit about your design background and education?

VV : After my graduation from the University as a Master of Electrical Engineering i realized that i want to do something else. I worked some time as Electrical engineer but i wanted to do something more creative, to work with colors and shapes. Eleven years ago i started as a Graphic designer and later proceeded with the Product design.

DL: What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?

VV : When i have an idea and i find it interesting i want to share it.

DL: Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?

VV : Yes, I chose to become a designer. I think that you cannot be forced to do something that is related to art and creativity.

DL: What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?

VV : I prefer to work on Furniture projects but not only.

DL: What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?

VV : I think that i have a lot to do to become a legend but if i have to give an advice that would be: trust in yourself.

DL: What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?

VV : No matter if you are good or great designer you will always need a muse. But the great designer's work could be used as inspiration itself.

DL: What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?

VV : By its popularity and acceptance from the people.

DL: What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?

VV : Because good design is like a piece of art.

DL: What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?

VV : Time is never enough, yes. But if i have it i would like to try with a project for Automotive industry.

DL: What is the dream project you haven’t yet had time to realize?

VV : Design a whole city.

DL: What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?

VV : It won't be a secret if tell you.

DL: Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?

VV : I appreciate the work of all of my colleagues because i know that everyone of them have left a piece of themselves in their creations.

DL: What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?

VV : My favorite designs are those which are recognizable.

DL: What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?

VV : I like my furniture designs because i experiment with unusual shapes and attractive colors.

DL: How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?

VV : Try to design when you want, not when it's needed.

DL: If you hadn’t become a designer, what would you have done?

VV : Definitely an astronaut.

DL: How do you define design, what is design for you?

VV : The design is the first point of sensation when you see a product, the perfect harmony between shape and color, the ability to represent the true spirit and soul of the project through it's visual characteristics.

DL: Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?

VV : Family and friends.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

VV : I will answer when i am hundred percent sure that i am a great designer. I think i have a lot to do to become one.

DL: What were the obstacles you faced before becoming a design master?

VV : I think that every artist is facing the same fears - is it my work a masterpiece or garbage.

DL: How do you think designers should present their work?

VV : Participating in contests is one of the best practices.

DL: What’s your next design project, what should we expect from you in future?

VV : I will be scared if i know what i have to expect from myself. I want to surprise myself and then the audience.

DL: What’s your ultimate goal as a designer?

VV : To be world wide recognizable.

DL: What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?

VV : I cannot tell about the people but i want to say 'wow' when my next design idea hit me.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

VV : If you look good, you feel good....

DL: What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?

VV : Right now i am experimenting with various projects in order to see which one of them is good enough for further development.

DL: Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?

VV : The designs that are world wide recognizable makes me feel really satisfied

DL: What would you like to see changed in design industry in the coming years?

VV : Stronger relationship between designers and manufacturers.

DL: Where do you think the design field is headed next?

VV : Only time will tell for sure.

DL: How long does it take you to finalize a design project?

VV : For me a design is never completed. There is always something that could be improved.

DL: When you have a new design project, where do you start?

VV : Sketching, modeling, rendering ....

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

VV : Break the boundaries.

DL: Do you think design sets the trends or trends set the designs?

VV : I think it is too complicated. They are definitely related, but which one is first is more like a rhetorical question.

DL: What is the role of technology when you design?

VV : The new technology helps you very quick to give shape of your ideas and evaluate if its good or not.

DL: What kind of design software and equipment do you use in your work?

VV : Mostly software for 3D modeling, rendering, image processing and vector graphics.

DL: What is the role of the color, materials and ambient in design?

VV : These characters helps the design to become completed.

DL: What do you wish people to ask about your design?

VV : How the original idea of the design came up.

DL: When you see a new great design or product what comes into your mind?

VV : I am really enjoying it.

DL: Who is your ideal design partner? Do you believe in co-design?

VV : I don't actually. A business partner maybe, but not a co-designer.

DL: Which people you interacted had the most influence on your design?

VV : I started as a Graphic Designer in a department full of CAD engineers. They were deeply involved in 3D modeling so i started to learn from them. Without their help creating my designs would be very difficult.

DL: Which books you read had the most effect on your design?

VV : Books related to life perception.

DL: How did you develop your skills as a master designer?

VV : By constant improvement, training, sharing experience.

DL: Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?

VV : Le Corbusier

DL: How do you feel about all the awards and recognition you had, is it hard to be famous?

VV : It is never enough.

DL: What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?

VV : Sea blue, Switzerland, Sushi, Summer, Star Trek, Snickers

DL: Please tell us a little memoir, a funny thing you had experienced as a designer?

VV : Several years ago due to some logistical problems i had to carry on foot one of my prototypes of a chair across the whole city of Milan.

DL: What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?

VV : Everyday i try to do these three things - to create something good, to meet (or call) an old friend and to have some time to relax.

DL: When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?

VV : I guess so.

DL: What do you think about future; what do you see will happen in thousand years from now?

VV : I hope that in thousands years the designs we create now will be in the museums.

DL: Please tell us anything you wish your fans to know about you, your design and anything else?

VV : Thank you all for your support.