Mykola Lomakin

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Mykola Lomakin ("ML") 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: Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?

ML : I am a military man by nature. After graduating from children's art school, my desire was to become an officer in the army and not an artist. But when I was in the army, I was convinced that the real army is very different from the military romance that I was in love with in propaganda films. And then I, the sergeant, the part-commander of the chemical defense, picked up a pencil and a notebook again and began to sketch. I tried to use every free minute to paint. And finally, the time came when I had a need to show what I draw to a specialist. This specialist turned out to be a corporal from the propaganda department, who was drafted into the army from Kharkiv after a year of study at the Academy of Design and Fine Arts. He became a key figure in my future destiny. “Throw doubts and stupid thoughts about the army out of your head,” he said, “go to Kharkiv, go to the Kharkiv State Academy of Design and Fine Arts! You will succeed!" After completing my military service, I did so. After a year of preparatory courses and work as a janitor, I entered the Kharkiv State Academy of Design and Fine Arts at the Graphics department.

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

ML : I want to wish young designers to find their way and go to their goal. Overcome all difficulties along the way. Don't get sloppy. Freed from their sins, the first of which is pride. Increase your virtues, the first of which is love. And the most important thing on this path is not to give up! It’s better to do your best and lose than give up. Per aspera ad astra - through difficulties to the stars!

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

ML : Ukrainian illustrator Vladislav Yerko.

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

ML : My friend and artist Oleg Shchekotihin. He was the first to whom I showed my sketches from the Ivanhoe project. He carefully looked and said: "Walter Scott wrote best chivalrous novel Ivanhoe. Maybe you will try to draw the best illustrations for this novel?" His words were totally unexpected for me. It was a challenge to a duel with yourself! Will I be able to do that? Do I have the strength to take such a height? And I decided that I would go forward and I would not retreat and give up.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

ML : To work quickly means to work slowly, just without breaks.