Mihael Varbanov

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Mihael Varbanov ("MV") 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?

MV : The first seven years in school I studied fine art, and the next 5 years in high school - mathematics. For my higher education I decided to combine the two materials in the specialty of engineering design. So I focused both my strengths on creating beautiful and functional designs.

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

MV : What brings me the greatest exhilaration of my job is to see the smiles of people caused by my design. There is no greater motivation than a satisfied customer.

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

MV : Definitely I chose and fought, studied and worked hard until I reached my goal of becoming a designer.

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

MV : I like to design interior, furniture and product design. I love to incorporate new furniture technologies and combine them in the best way.

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

MV : They have to work hard and not give up their dreams because "There are no achievable goals!".

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

MV : The great designer thinks and combines everything and everyone around his design. It does not just create beautiful objects, it adds much more to it, considering the whole life path of its product.

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

MV : Good design is really good when it helps all: manufacturers, logistics, merchants, suppliers, customers, and so on. The perfect design is one that is well balanced between the materials and no waste in its production.

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

MV : Good design not only captures and helps consumers. It is important to invest in good design because it always rewards, even if it is imperceptible.

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

MV : If I really had time I would design interiors and furniture for old Bulgarian traditional houses where the design is very specific with shevitsa.

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

MV : The dreamy design I will perform someday is to design the interior of a yacht and an airplane.

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

MV : The secret is deep investigation and logical thinking, stubborn labor and no denial of impediments.

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

MV : In Bulgaria we have many good designers that I admire. I like Bauhaus movement.

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

MV : There are definitely many designs that inspire them. One of my favorites is "Playground Energy" from Iliyan Milinov, because it is an example of an intelligent solution to a problem.

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

MV : I think this is a hanger "Sense" which besides beautiful is intelligent, innovative and well optimized.

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

MV : In order to improve, designers always have to look for feedback from their customers, how much they have achieved their desires and requirements.

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

MV : Perhaps I would be doing aerial photography, because it also gives me pleasure.

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

MV : Design for me is a multifunctional product wearing a nice looking shape.

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

MV : My team is the best supporter because every day we help ourselves to get better.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

MV : Trust customers to entrust my tasks to me and my team.

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

MV : At first it's always hard to find the right approach and the right people for a team, but when it gets done you have to be ready for hard work.

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

MV : Designers should take advantage of the latest technology to visualize their designs - virtual reality, holograms, interactive projectors and spectacular presentations.

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

MV : There are also interesting furniture from the series "Sense".

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

MV : I will be glad to see in the mass market Hanger "Sense". As in stores all over the world, and in the homes and offices of people.

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

MV : Expectations are very high and you should always be careful not to mislead a client.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

MV : I am convinced that good design brings together people around you.

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

MV : We are currently working on an educational center that is very nice for my city. I'm glad there will be a well-done place where young people can learn new things.

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

MV : I'm most excited about designing new startups for small and large businesses. This is a responsible task that requires a lot of precision and consideration.

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

MV : We need to improve and bring the productive industry closer to the designers. It is also necessary to ensure traineeships for graduate students so that they can be realized immediately after the completion of their higher education.

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

MV : For me, automotive, yacht and airplane design are industries that all should take an example of.

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

MV : It depends on the complexity and scale of the project.

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

MV : I always start with finding problems, finding out for needs and exploring opportunities.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

MV : There are no impossible things if you are hardworking and stubborn enough.

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

MV : I think design defines market trends. The designers adapt to the new needs of the clients and fully satisfy them through a full-fledged design.

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

MV : Technologies are to be used and must increasingly be embedded in furniture designs. They help in both design and production.

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

MV : I'm looking to use the best new software like AutoCad, 3DSmax, Vray, Google SketchUp and more.

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

MV : Proper proportions and matching of materials are important to the good-looking product.

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

MV : I will be happy to ask questions like a way of production, logistics and distribution.

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

MV : First, I always admire that this is invented by a man and then I want to own it.

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

MV : Yes of course! I think I have found the perfect team of designers - Love 2 Design.

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

MV : I think every client has contributed less to achieve a good design.

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

MV : It is definitely not the only one because the achievement of good design is a combination of many factors. For example the book "Work rules" from Laszlo Bock gave me good ideas for the work process.

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

MV : With hard work and listening to the advice of good designers and feedback from customers.

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

MV : I find it interesting to know what was hidden in the artist's head Salvador Dali.

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

MV : I am happy that the work is well appreciated and even recognized by a renowned jury. I do not think I'm famous and I'm not aiming for it.

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

MV : Favorite color - green, Favorite place - forest, Favorite food - BBQ, Favorite season - Spring, Favorite thing - go out with friends and Favorite brand - Apple.

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

MV : A year ago, we created together with volunteers a new alternative space for young people in the city of Shumen called the "Youth Sphere". It is a project that creates an accessible environment for developing the cultural qualities of young people. We created a geodesic dome, which is used as an event scene, a closed library and a piano.

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

MV : For me the day went well when I saw the smile on the client's face.

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

MV : I think - no, but according to my parents - definitely yes.

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

MV : This is a very long period to predict what will happen, but I will definitely be glad humanity to preserve our planet is to improve it by dropping out of the military industry and creating a utopia where everyone is equal.

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

MV : I want it to be clear that everything is behind the cohesive work of my good team.