Viktor Bilak

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Viktor Bilak ("VB") 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?

VB : I was born in USSR and the art of Soviet avant-garde influences on my designs. I got classical art education in Russia so the traditions of the Russian school of painting is very important for me.

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

VB : From childhood, I wanted to draw. When I was 5 years old, I saw the picture of fairy tale: animals were in doll’s theatre. It was so bright, colorful and magically that I wanted draw the copy of this picture and made them a lot. When I was 9 years old I went to the art school, 14 – I went to the art college and finished it 19 years old, 21 – 27 years old I studied arts in faculty of design in Stroganov’s Moscow State Art Industrial University.

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

VB : I work in field of exhibition design to create trade faire stands.

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

VB : The most important skills for a designer from my point of view are the skills from classical artistic education: art composition, drawing, painting, sculpture.

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

VB : Good designer usually has several good projects. All works of great designer are outstanding. But great designer at first must be good designer.

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

VB : The main criteria in evaluation of design work is the reaction of client. If client get aesthetic pleasure from designers work and do not get uncomfortable sensations – it is good design.

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

VB : The great masters of the Renaissance inspire me to create new design projects.

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

VB : The most favorite design for me is the Rubik’s Cube - the dynamical 3D object that to force you think “by the fingers”. This skill is very important for artist, painter and architect.

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

VB : Design for me is constant searching of something new.

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

VB : My teachers and my partners help me to develop in profession of designer.

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

VB : For designers is very important to present their work for professional evaluation, for example, to participate in professional competitions for designers.

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

VB : The ultimate goal in my design works is to create the aesthetic and artistic image of the object and make it comfortable for users.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

VB : Design make life more aesthetic and comfortable for people.

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

VB : I think: “It is very interesting design! How they do that?”

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

VB : If I can concentrate only on the artistic task during the day - it is the successful day for design. The trade faire like the performance in the theatre: the premiere must be in time. It is motivate me to do my work efficiently and on time.