Nikolai Tsupikov

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Nikolai Tsupikov ("NT") 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?

NT : I graduated from architectural university and I got mostly experienced in interior design

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

NT : There are many aspects of my life that motivate me and I got inspiration from it

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

NT : I chose to become a designer myself and I love this profession.

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

NT : I like a wide range of designs and I never limit myself in designing

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

NT : I think that they should love this profession and work hard

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

NT : In my opinion a great designer is someone who makes something completely new, a good designer is the one who makes familiar things (item) in a different way

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

NT : A good design makes(provokes) you to feel pure emotions

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

NT : A good design makes our makes our life better

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

NT : I have many different ideas about it.

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

NT : I would like to participate in collaboration with a famous brand.

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

NT : I seek inspiration in music that’s my own secret.

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

NT : I think my master is the mother nature.

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

NT : hard to name

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

NT : a lot of things

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

NT : I always educate myself, you have to study the experiences of designers of past and present times to have a better understanding of future designs.

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

NT : I would choose some other artistic profession.

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

NT : Design is a way to make the environment around me better

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

NT : I got support from my family.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

NT : My experience in working with interiors helped me a lot

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

NT : I had less experience in the beginning

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

NT : difficult to answer

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

NT : I have many different projects with lamps and furniture

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

NT : I want to become a top professional with high demand.

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

NT : People expect positive emotions, design can help to make a better society and make life better

DL: How does design help create a better society?

NT : It makes life of people better, beautiful and safer

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

NT : I am working on a project with furniture currently and I am really excited about it

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

NT : The projects which are manufactured give me the most satisfaction, be I see the release of it

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

NT : I haven’t think about it yet

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

NT : As I see it all fields of design proceed evenly.

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

NT : It can take me from 1 week to 1 month depending on the project.

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

NT : A new project starts with finding a new look then sketching it.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

NT : I like an old-school design, so the motto will be «Benefit. Strength. Beauty»

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

NT : I think one successful design becomes famous and sets the trends.

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

NT : The CG technologies are very helpful in presenting your project

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

NT : I mostly use autocad, 3dmax and Photoshop

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

NT : I think color, materials and ambient are crucial in design.

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

NT : They may ask about the inspiration.

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

NT : I think about the usage of it and the way this product can be produced.

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

NT : I never had experience with co-designing so I don’t really know whom to work with

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

NT : This kind of influence never happened yet.

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

NT : difficult to answer

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

NT : I always learn something new, study experiences of other designers, I am always up to date and searching for new ideas.

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

NT : Leonardo da Vinci

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

NT : It motivates me for new achievements.

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

NT : I love grey, mountains is my favourite place, Mediterranean cuisine is my favourite food , summer is my season, Alfa Romeo and Aston Martin brand.

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

NT : A good weather and beautyful music motivates me and makes my day.

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

NT : As a child I just liked to draw.

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

NT : I think people will learn how to change the design of themselves and everything around them.