Salvita Bingelyte

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Salvita Bingelyte ("SB") 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?

SB : Creativity runs in my mother’s side of the family. Therefore, I’ve always had a passion for art since my childhood. I studied graphic design at the Vilnius Academy of Arts. I actually started my career as a graphic designer while still a student, working for agencies and other large companies.

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

SB : I live and breath graphic design. It is my lifestyle.

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

SB : When I was at school, I already knew I wanted to become a graphic designer.

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

SB : I particularly enjoy designing packaging, branding and print design. For me, it's always challenging and helps me grow as a designer.

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

SB : Be patient, stand out and dream big.

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

SB : When people are talking about your design and remember it.

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

SB : Synergy between fonts, layouts and illustrations is key to a great design.

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

SB : Great design will give you a visual way of communicating what you do. It demonstrates quality and builds trust. If design is attractive there’s a very good chance you’ll be more successful, will help you sell more.

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

SB : I would do all the design for everybody, because I really love what I do.

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

SB : It is a secret, I will do it this year.

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

SB : My secret is a visionary thinking.

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

SB : Michael Bierut, Christoph Niemann, Vilmantas Marcinkevicius, Pijus Burakas

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

SB : I like design solutions that can surprise me with simplicity and uniqueness. Then realize that not all ideas in the world are yet to come up.

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

SB : The Mood coffee packaging is great, because it stands out, demonstrates quality, helps to sell more and has gold A' Design award.

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

SB : Be patient, stand out, listen to your customer and be on time.

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

SB : Salesperson

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

SB : Design not only has to be beautiful, but practical. You should never mislead the customer, making them believe they’re getting something they’re not. The design should also always be realistic and straight forward: easy to read, easy to understand, easy to use. People lead busy lives and don’t always have time for reading instructions or finding out how to open a package.

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

SB : I reached everything myself. My biggest supporters were my best friends.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

SB : Pertinacity

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

SB : If you are a freelancer, you do not have financial stability and you must be a designer, manager, seller and accountant all in one.

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

SB : Designers should put their work in social media platforms, portfolio websites like Behance, Dribble and of course to participate in design competitions.

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

SB : It's a secret.

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

SB : My goal is to be a great designer and to be an international design studio focusing on visual content that is simple but innovative with a long lasting value for clients.

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

SB : They expect me to create something magical.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

SB : Our responsibility is to create a more beautiful world that does not violate anyone's rights and does not harm the environment.

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

SB : I love to expand my recent coffee packaging project "The Mood".

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

SB : One of my recent projects, “The Mood” coffee packaging, because I won gold A' Design award and got so many good feedback.

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

SB : I like the fact that more attention is now given to general fulfillment than to trends.

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

SB : It’s nice to see that graphic design and packaging is becoming more simple and refined.

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

SB : It depends on a project. Usually 3-6 months. The longest project lasted a year.

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

SB : First of all, I always keep up on market research.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

SB : I'm searching for something new all the time.

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

SB : I think both sides are right.

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

SB : In my work it takes 50%.

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

SB : I use Mac computer, camera, mobile phone, Adobe programs.

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

SB : Everything must be cohesive and harmonious.

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

SB : What was the biggest challenge?

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

SB : Why did not I come up with such an idea?

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

SB : I don't have that yet, but I'm looking.

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

SB : My teachers in university had the biggest influence on my design understanding.

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

SB : Michael Evamy "Logotype" and "Symbol" were like a designer's bible.

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

SB : I work a lot and my sources of inspiration are: Instagram, Pinterest, magazines, travelling, music. It is important not to stop at one place.

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

SB : Nelson Mandela

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

SB : I feel fantastic! It's not hard to be famous.

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

SB : My favorite color - nude, place - my home, food - healthy, season - summer, thing - sunglasses and brand - Apple

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

SB : When one customer sent different pricing requests for half a year, finally I said to him doubled prices that I did not want to work with them, and they agreed. We are still working together.

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

SB : When customers are satisfied, I feel happy.

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

SB : It was obvious that I would become a designer.

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

SB : I think the robots won't take our creative work and the designer's work will always be relevant.

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

SB : Believe in yourself and dream big!