Pavel Volovov

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Pavel Volovov ("PV") 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?

PV : I am involved in design since 2008, when I started to make interior projects under my name. In 2016 I graduated from Istituto Marangoni design school (Milan) and received a Master degree in Luxury Home Master Collection Design course. An since then I am working as a professional interior and product designer. Geography of my projects covers Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Berlin, Los Angeles and Como and I hope to expand it because I like to travel.

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

PV : Natural curiosity and craving for creativity motivate me the most. Opportunity to make the world more interesting – this is why I become a designer

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

PV : In my opinion there is no way to force someone to become a designer as a creativity does not grow without ones will. I was always interested in design personalities such as Ross Lovegrove, Zaha Hadid, Philippe Starck and others. I was inspired by their works so I chose to become a designer to be able to open up my creativity and to develop it.

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

PV : I design interiors, objects, textiles, wallpaper, set-ups. I like the most to design special items for the projects such as lighting installations, tables, cabinets etc. It makes the projects unique.

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

PV : Travel more, be interested, be inspired, be responsible

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

PV : Great design changes perception, makes the world around a better place.

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

PV : Functionality, aesthetics, versatility, environment friendly – these are the most important properties of a really good design.

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

PV : In my opinion in this world with over consumption the good design has to last, so this is why it is to invest in.

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

PV : I would design a 3-d printed houses: original and environment friendly for the people who appreciate it

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

PV : I would love to design a collection of ready-to-use lighting fixtures with energy saving technologies for outdoor use.

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

PV : Searching for inspiration, patience

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

PV : Ross Lovegrove, Patricia Urquiola, Zaha Hadid, Marcel Wanders, Philipp Starck, Giulio Cappelini

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

PV : Porca Miseria by Ingo Maurer for its emotional approach, Tulip Table by Eero Saarinen for the timeless shape, Arco lamp by Achile Castiglioni for the impeccable design.

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

PV : The Project Tripod which was awarded a bronze A'Design award.This project is great because it is versatile, technological, collectible.

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

PV : Travel more, be interested, be inspired, be responsible.

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

PV : I am a creative person. We always find the way to implement our creativity.

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

PV : Design is a contemporary language witch helps to satisfy needs of society.

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

PV : My biggest supporter is my family.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

PV : Enthusiasm is the biggest driver.

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

PV : The biggest issue was the lack of demands of society for good design in my country.

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

PV : Storytelling is the biggest tool to achieve good result. So the presentation has to be inspirational, clear and storytelling.

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

PV : I'm in the process of creating a light collection named «Afrique» inspired by the black continent and the sofa collection inspired by Oscar Nimeyer architecture.

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

PV : Ability to adapt to the needs of the clients.

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

PV : People expect original, effective, versatile, smart designs.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

PV : Design helps to create a connection between people, it makes people think in the same direction.

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

PV : I'm currently working on some residential projects, I'm excited the most when design is being realised.

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

PV : The Tripod Project gave me the most satisfaction because I reached the right shape of the item.

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

PV : I would love to see more eco-friendly projects.

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

PV : The future of design is in development of technologies and craft. In my opinion these two trends become global. This is what I have seen during Milan design weeks last few years.

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

PV : The first image of the future objects comes easily, but the process of adaptation and retouche could take time.

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

PV : I will start from analysis and inspiration.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

PV : Be your own critic and always trust your instincts

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

PV : Trends and design are mutual friends.

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

PV : The role of technologies is crucial, because I am being obsessed with new techs.

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

PV : Software such as Archicad, 3D-Max, Indesign, Photoshop, Illustrator. Tools like Copic markers, pens and pensils, liners etc… Samples of materials and fabrics, catalogues, design books and anything that can help to make a good presentation.

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

PV : Colors, materials and ambient are the key players in design. They help to reach emotional unity with people.

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

PV : What was your design is inspired by?

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

PV : What a genius created this.

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

PV : I do believe in co-design because two heads are much better then one. The partner who moves in the same direction adding his own experience is the ideal for me.

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

PV : Cristina Morozzi, Marcella Bricchi and Francesco Ponzi from Istituto Marangoni

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

PV : Deyan Sudjic “The language of things”

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

PV : I develop my skills by getting inspired by art, travel, architecture, nature. I often visit main design fairs and art events. I love to contemplate the masterpieces of architecture, observe the power of nature. I feed my creativity with revisiting the works of acknowledged masters of art and fashion.

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

PV : Piero Portaluppi, Luchino Visconti

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

PV : I've got only one but very important A'Design award, so I would prefer to talk about how hard it is to be famous in ten years from now.

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

PV : My favorite colors are the shades of blue, the place – lake Como, Italian pasta, late spring is my favorite season, the thing – my Japanese backpack by Ptah, my favorite brand is Dries Van Notten for creativity and independence

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

PV : Since I was a child I was trying to make a world around me more "beautiful" improving the style of my room moving the furniture from one corner to another, hanging posters, changing colors of the walls, drawing pictures that made my mother desparate.

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

PV : People, creative process, inspiration make my day great.

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

PV : It was obvious that I was a creative person.

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

PV : I hope humans will achieve the unity with mother nature.

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

PV : Follow my instagram account @volovov.interiors and stay tuned for my future works.