Marina Begman

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Marina Begman ("MB") 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?

MB : I Started my professional interior designer career in 2008 worked as Freelancer, in 2012 I became a part of CALIFORNICATION company, as A head of Interior design department In 2015, I graduated from London Metropolitan University with MA in Interior Designer

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

MB : I am motivated by the magic of an idea that materializes, and can make people’s life elegant, aesthetic, and functional

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

MB : I design interior design projects for private and public spaces. I also love designing furniture, accessories and textiles products. In the next year I will focus on design and production of home textile collection

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

MB : My recipe is to sublimate public art that you love into your own unique design, and avoid trends. Attention to details matters.

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

MB : A good designer creates functional and beautiful objects, a great designer creates objects that change people's lives for the better

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

MB : I think awareness and integrity makes design very good. When a designer consciously approaches the creation of a product and realizes how this product would affect people and the environment

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

MB : Good design is timeless. You could enjoy it for many years without loosing its value

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

MB : In my country, little attention is paid to retired people. They have practically no social life and no place where they can spend time and socialize. I have a dream to design a space where older people can feel themselves useful and organized workshops where they will share wisdom and experience with a younger generation, and young people will teach them how to use technologies and survive in modern world

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

MB : There are a lot of them, but I am mostly inspired by architects Oscar Niemeyer, Santiago Calatrava, I admire the work of Thomas Pheasant and his talent to bring his architectural background to the furniture design.

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

MB : I love very much all projects of Gareth Neal - the way how he uses traditional wood techniques and makes modern unique objects. Also, I admire the work of Marc Fish - the way how he works with technologies combining wood and resin (or acrylic) to create bionic-shaped furniture objects

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

MB : Greatest design is Deceptively simple. When deep meaning is hidden behind a simple form

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

MB : Ballet Dancer

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

MB : For me, design is mix of functionality, beauty and right solution

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

MB : My parents always are my biggest supporters and Casey Rutland

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

MB : Learning from mistakes

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

MB : In the future I want to create a collection of home textiles in modern ethnic style made of handmade fabric. I am planning to design bedding, blankets and home wear

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

MB : To solve problems and bring more aesthetics in my surroundings

DL: How does design help create a better society?

MB : In one way design would help reduce consumption behavior - this will positive impact the environment. On the other way designers could involve more local artisans in their projects

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

MB : In 2019 I developed a rug collection “Aral” for Nakta, handmade felt rug company, using as an inspiration the aerial landscape of Aral lake – disappearing lake located between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Aral lake used to be the 4th largest lake in the world, but started drying up as a result of human intervention and climate change. It caused drastic changes in the climate of the region, and influenced the ecosystem of the whole world. Through the design of the "Aral" rug collection, I wanted to draw attention to the environmental problems in the region, and how human activities can drastically damage the Earth. I was happy that it was chosen by Luxury magazine as ten best of Ambiente 2020.

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

MB : I think in the IT technology

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

MB : Usually it take 3 to 6 months from the idea to the realization of the product

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

MB : Usually, I start with research to find target audience and definition of the object concept

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

MB : Never say never

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

MB : I think, the great design sets the trends

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

MB : For most the projects I use Autocad, SketchUp and Photoshop

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

MB : I believe, that material has an important role in design. When I choose natural materials for my projects, I always try to leave their natural color

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

MB : I wish I created it )

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

MB : I do believe in co - designing and I had a few collaboration project It is wonderful when people work as a team and each brings his or her own idea to create a great product

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

MB : Andrew Shea «Designing for social change» Tim Brown «Change by design»

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

MB : My preferences in colours change every season, My favourite place is the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, Favorite food - vanilla ice cream, Favorite season - spring, Favorite thing - my smartphone, Favorite brand - Vitra

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

MB : My parents had no doubts about my future profession, as I would always create something as a child – from drawing, building houses, and decorating everything around me.