Eleni Tezapsidou

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Eleni Tezapsidou ("ET") 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?

ET : I studied Jewellery Design during my studies at the School of Jewellery ,University of Central England in Birmigham as well as at the Gemological Insitute of America at Viceza Italy.

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

ET : I was raised at a traditional jewellery family so I wanted to design my own ideas that would be later manufacured at our workshop.

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

ET : I decided to become a designer.

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

ET : I basically design geometrical shaped pieces of jewellery.

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

ET : Young designers must never forget the reason they first wanted to make their first design.

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

ET : Discipline,justice and continious effort to evolve.

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

ET : Good presentation can make a good design a really good design.

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

ET : A good design makes everyday's life more interesting.

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

ET : I would like to design for famous artists.

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

ET : A dream project for me is a tiara.

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

ET : Follow your instict all the way is my secret ingredient.

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

ET : Cartier , Tiffany, Graff and Nikos Koulis are some jewellery design masters for me.

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

ET : Continuous work and effort is the only key for improvement.

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

ET : I would travel the world.

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

ET : Design is expression for me.

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

ET : My mother is my only supporter.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

ET : My mother helped me become what I am now.

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

ET : The only obstacle I faced were peoples' jealousy of my success.

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

ET : I think that designers difficult present their work due to their modesty. A marketing and PR representative can best present one's work.

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

ET : Unique pieces of jewellery are my next project.

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

ET : The gold A design is my goal as a designer.

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

ET : People expect new,evolving designs every year from me.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

ET : Design makes life tasteful!

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

ET : I am excited to be praparing a new collection for New York Fashion week 2019.

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

ET : The ones worn by my customers everyday as I feel that they feel them all the time.

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

ET : I would like to see designs representing countries' traditions and cultures.

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

ET : I think that design field is heading to more technological methods.

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

ET : It depends on the project; sometimes it takes a week and sometimes just a night.

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

ET : I always start on paper.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

ET : Jewellery needs to be felt.

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

ET : I think that design sets the trends.

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

ET : Technology makes the final project perfect, while designing can give perfect dimensions.

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

ET : I use Rhino for some of my designing projects.

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

ET : Colour gives life to my designs.

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

ET : My inspiration is always something I love talking about.

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

ET : I admire it and try to think where the inspiration came from.

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

ET : I do not believe in co-designing.

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

ET : My ex-boyfriend being an interior designer really changed my point of view in designing.

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

ET : The Great Gatsby effected my designing formulas.

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

ET : I tried to participate in competitions and group exhibitions in order to improve my skills.

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

ET : I would like to speak with Coco Channel.

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

ET : I try never to forget where I started from and keep my feet on the ground. Being famous must make you want to become even better.

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

ET : My favourite colour is pink, my favourite place is anywhere in Italy, my favourite season is winter, my favourite thing is my best friends Cartier pen and my favourite brand is Gucci.

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

ET : The funniest thing was when a customer asked me if she could have the Bricola bracelet resized for her hand; she thought it was a ring although I had uploaded photos worn on my wrist.

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

ET : I get motivated with music.

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

ET : It was not obvious that I would design things. I was more in other things.

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

ET : I think that in the future design will evolved in such a degree that it will be everywhere.

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

ET : I love coming up with an idea and giving life to it by designing and making jewellery.