Daniela Komatovic

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Daniela Komatovic ("DK") 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?

DK : For years, I worked for YU Diamond Center, a wholesaler of precious stones. I also design and make luxury jewellery. The fact that I studied graphic design certainly helped a lot.

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

DK : Searching for beauty and aesthetics was my motive. Firstly, I started working on some small designs just for myself, but, then, when people around me told me that they loved most of the things that I created, I started designing more and more and, slowly, it become my profession.

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

DK : It was definitely my own choice to become a designer.

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

DK : I mostly design rings, but I would love to design more men's cuff links.

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

DK : They should work worthwhile, persistently. To be ambitious and devoted to everything they do, to listen and believe in themselves.

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

DK : Uniqueness and persistence in everything a designer does.

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

DK : The idea, successful implementation and also a good form.

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

DK : The value of good design is to give people what they need and want. It is necessary to invest in good design, otherwise product quality wouldn't be at a high level.

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

DK : If i had the time and opportunity, I would design jewellery for Van Cleef.

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

DK : My solo exhibition of the paintings I’ve done so far.

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

DK : Persistence, consistency and desire.

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

DK : My favorites are Zaha Hadid and Eva Jiřičná. I love them because they managed to break into the world of men, to become leaders in the world of architecture and design. They managed and implemented their ideas at a high level and they devoted all their life to creation and design.

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

DK : My winning ring. Because this ring has the function of a protective amulet.

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

DK : In order to constantly improve what they do, to need to seek new forms, follow the trends. That's how I also improve myself.

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

DK : I would be a painter.

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

DK : Design is clearly defined by the appearance of an object and every object is a function of design. Great design is more than just good aesthetics. It is the way we use objects.

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

DK : My parents who always directed me to art and my husband who is a gemologist.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

DK : When I was six years old, I went to art school. There, I learned about a variety of techniques that exists in the sphere of art. Then, during my high school, that knowledge helped me while studying at professional school of the applied arts, the graphic design department.

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

DK : Motherhood.

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

DK : Exhibitions at fairs or galleries and various competitions.

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

DK : A new collection with Tahiti pearls is my new project and I am planning to continue to make unique collections of jewellery. Also, I want to continue to deal with macro photography, taking pictures of my jewellery and paintings.

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

DK : That my collections are presented all over the world.

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

DK : What they expect from me is to fully devote myself to every piece I create and they definitely expect me to create something new.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

DK : It causes that beautiful feeling of happiness, it creates a nice atmosphere and stimulates the need for aesthetics and beautiful things.

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

DK : Currently, I am working on my new collection which brings huge happiness to my daily life.

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

DK : My last collection Eye to the soul, the winning collection. This is because I really enjoyed making it and I love the final product. The jury's decision shows that other people love it too and this all together gives me the most satisfaction.

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

DK : Approximately three weeks.

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

DK : Idea and dream come first, imagining and then work in my sketchbook.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

DK : Integrity, honesty, wisdom and human values.

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

DK : Design first and then trends.

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

DK : Pencil, sketchbook, Illustrator, computer.

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

DK : All this is important, because without it there would be no trendsetting products.

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

DK : That would be something like: What is the feeling you get when looking at my design?

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

DK : I always wonder how it is made and how this particular designer came to the idea to create something like that.

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

DK : I am not a team player and I don't believe in co-design.

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

DK : My husband who is a gemologist, since his profession is compatible with what I do.

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

DK : Books about Gustav Klimt, Tamara Lempicka and Egon Schiele.

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

DK : gaining experience through intensive work. Great influences were my study of art, analysis of art and architecture, design also.

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

DK : Eva Jiřičná definitely.

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

DK : It's a beautiful feeling that people appreciate my work and that I was rewarded for it, but I do not like to be too much in the spotlight.

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

DK : My favorite color is black, place where i relax the most is a mountain. I love vegetables, spring, a photo camera and Kohinoor Pencils, the Czech brand.

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

DK : I am motivated by nature, I look at the woods through the window of my studio. My day is great when I am happy with my working results.

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

DK : It was assumed that I would be a great designer.

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

DK : I don't think about future too much, I live in the present moment.

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

DK : I'd like people to know that I'm sensitive, cheerful, sincere, honest, that I love life and little things that make me happy. I like to help people. All I do is with absolute dedication and great love. I pay attention to every detail when I'm working. I would also like to let them know that I am involved in painting, photography, graphic design and that I am a multimedia artist. I do not just design jewellery, but I am also in other kinds of art, which are very important to me.