Karolina Petraityte

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Karolina Petraityte ("KP") 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?

KP : I studied product design in Vilnius Academy of Arts and at the moment I am doing my Masters there. I finished a Erasmus exchange course in Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam. During my studies worked with product and spacial design projects.

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

KP : I can not give a clear answer to that. I think it is some kind of creative energy inside me. It sounds stupid, but I really feel that way.

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

KP : I chose to become a designer in 4th grade. Why? I do not know, but that idea stuck with me till today.

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

KP : I design everything: products, spaces, interiors, graphics. But I wish to make a design studio only focused on designing new generation educational tools.

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

KP : I am not a legend. But if I have a potential, i would like to be called that way only after I am dead.

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

KP : Ability to see a bigger picture. A great designer has to be critical of his work and have an ability to see it in a bigger context.

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

KP : It instantly catches you. You just enjoy what you see and sometimes it might be enough.

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

KP : For teachers. To help them inspire kids to learn and value the knowledge they get.

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

KP : I would become some kind of management personnel, because I have an ability to lead people.

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

KP : Design for my is less about the beauty, it is more about a way you think. Design is a process of toughs, way of trying your best to image all possible scenarios and feel as a user would feel. Also it is all about the empathy. None of the greatest products were created only thinking about yourself. We are living in one world, and we need to design for all.

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

KP : My family always was and is my biggest supporter. And I will be always thankful for my best art and design teacher Albertas Krajinskas.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

KP : How says that I am already great?

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

KP : In the most simplistic but very very clear way. Straight from the first glace everyone needs to understand what it is and what it is made for.

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

KP : I want to finish my Masters degree with a new potently event better educational tool.

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

KP : Gather a group of people that have the same desire to design and open up a design studio dedicated to technology, education and design. And be known for our ideas and designs.

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

KP : Designers should think more about environmental problems and educational systems. I think next step for designers should be a new sustainable way of creating and less destroying.

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

KP : Amazing! Why did not I came up with that idea?

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

KP : Team work and co-designing for me is a goal. In Lithuanian it is said: "Two heads are always better than one". I strongly believe that working together brings the best possible outcome. However, for me, with my heated temper it is hard to find someone who would stay beside me and would not take criticism as an insult.

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

KP : My favorite colour is dark blue. It makes me peaceful and calm. If I needed to describe my favorite place it would be and sandy island with +20 degrees al the time, basically opposite of Lithuania, where I live now. All food is amazing.

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

KP : Yes, it was so strange. And I always said that I will be a designer, but never talked what kind of designer. I only knew fashion design, but did not want that. So in a way I still cant put myself in any specific design field. For me all of them are overlapping.