Panos Tsakiris

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Panos Tsakiris ("PT") 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?

PT : I have an MSc in Product & Systems Design Engineering (University of the Aegean) and an MA in Design Innovation (Loughborough University).

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

PT : I have always been fascinated by the idea of creating beautiful solutions.

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

PT : My second other option would be to become an architect. After 12 years in the design industry I have not regretted it once.

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

PT : My niche is packaging design and brand identities overall. My soft spot is the intersection of product design and graphic design which for me is packaging design.

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

PT : We designers tend to suffer from imposter syndrome and doubt ourselves. We shouldn't. The solution is implementation and iteration.

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

PT : I would say consistency. However a good design (not designer) is only a viable, sustainable solution that answers to all of the problems, guidelines and constraints. A great design is a beautiful solution - object of desire or a service synonymous to the brand that represents- that moves people and them passionate about a better world.

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

PT : I evaluate how well it answers the brief.

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

PT : Research shows that design-driven companies have the best roi in comparison to any other aspect. Design is the core of anything. It is the actual answer to the market problem the company is trying to solve.

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

PT : I would try to crack the code of what is bothering my 3-week old daughter when she is crying.

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

PT : That's a secret project that I would eventually bring to life, so I can't reveal.

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

PT : Diligence. High aesthetics. Love what you do. With that order.

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

PT : Steve Jobs. Brian Collins. Philippe Starck. Daniel Arsham. And many many design agencies like Porto Rocha.

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

PT : Sundance Film Festival 2023 by Porto Rocha. Dropbox rebranding & San Fransisco Symphony by Collins. Harmonian packaging by mousegraphics. Everything by Commission Studio.

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

PT : The next one.

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

PT : Stay curious. Ask questions. Try to study and learn more. I still know very little about design...

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

PT : An architect.

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

PT : Design is finding a solution to a problem. Great design is the never-ending process of delaying the entropy of a system while stimulating the senses of its users.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

PT : I don't believe I am one.

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

PT : Striving to find myself. Overcompensating for other lacking moments of my life. The fear of not reaching the perfect level that I wanted.

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

PT : By storytelling or saying nothing. Great design speaks for itself - or at least it is self-explanatory.

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

PT : Packaging design for a Swiss beauty brand, a supplement packaging for a NY community-sports brand, an identity and packaging design for a unique Mediterranean nutricosmetics brand.

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

PT : Collaborate with the best so that I can provide for my family and be able to fly to Kyoto Japan whenever I feel like it.

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

PT : Consistency.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

PT : Delaying entropy. Think global and act local.

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

PT : Packaging design for a Swiss beauty brand.

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

PT : I started realising by the years that the best projects keep me up at night and always making me wake up, observe the design, keep notes. The best designs always tend to lure me back to them and be mesmerised by them.

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

PT : The budget dedicated to design. Education towards the value of design.

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

PT : A more inclusive environment. Image → Impact. Information → Insights.

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

PT : 3-4 weeks.

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

PT : Ask questions and research. WHY > HOW > WHAT

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

PT : I have no mottos.

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

PT : Great design sets the trends. Big trends set mediocre designs.

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

PT : Not massive but I try to use it selectively.

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

PT : Adobe creative suite. My team has different software that each one prefers.

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

PT : I believe that the choice of colours, textures and forms are what translate best a brand experience.

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

PT : Anything. Every design project is different. I just wish they don't ask me what's the idea behind it. I hope it is self-explanatory.

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

PT : I wish I had done it.

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

PT : My team of creatives. I value kindness and diligence in my collaborators.

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

PT : My university teachers. I never had a mentor. Only design heroes.

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

PT : Brand New by Ollins.

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

PT : Many hours of dedications and love for the craft.

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

PT : Brian Collins.

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

PT : I was happier at the beginning of my career when I won awards. I still strive to win them but I find peace in family and a life well lived.

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

PT : Favourite colour is a deep rich shade of blue with a little bit of yellow in it. Place, I would say Santorini Greece where I decided to marry my then girlfriend, now wife. Food at the moment is a Thai dish called Pad see ew. Season I would say winter. My two favourite things that I am looking forward to buy are Bang & Olufsen Beosound Edge by Michael Anastassiades and the Lagom P64 coffee grinder. Favourite brand is  .

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

PT : Sorry, I don't. I can't stop getting surprised by some very few fellow colleagues and their behaviour though. Everyday is different and I want to be surrounded by positive energy and people who give constructive criticism.

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

PT : I always return to my heroes.

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

PT : Now that I look back, I see I always liked drawing, good aesthetics, forms, providing solutions.

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

PT : I wish I could foresee so far ahead. Like Philllipe Starck says, a good designer's job is to foresee in 5-10 years from now. A great designer 50 years. A thousand years it takes a genius and I am far from it. Hopefully the human kind is kind enough with its own and other species and master the energy suffice of our planet.

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

PT : I know nothing.