CHRISTOS YORDAMLIS
LEGENDARY INTERVIEW
Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Christos Yordamlis ("CY") 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?
CY : After completing my bachelor’s degree in industrial infrastructure engineering, I started working as a supervising engineer for housing construction companies. Even though I had always had a calling for drawing and design, it was then that I realized how much architecture and interior design interested me. I started to attend courses to become familiar with design and drafting software applications and some architecture courses as well, in order to develop some ideas of my own. After three consecutive visits to the " Salone del Mobile" exhibition in Milan, my interest focused on furniture. My enthusiasm for all these ideas and designs that I saw sparked my desire to design furniture.
DL: What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?
CY : It is in my nature to be an artist and design is my way of art. I need to feel the joy of creation and to express myself through it. I became a designer for the joy the manifestation of one’s designs bring. I want to leave my own legacy in the field of design.
DL: Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?
CY : It was my choice to be a designer. I think it would not work if I had been forced to become one. I had always been, and still am involved in music professionally but long hours at construction sites and in front of a laptop hindered that endeavor. I had to find another way to be creative and release that energy.
DL: What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?
CY : I have no restrictions on what I might design in the future. What is certain is that so far all my ideas and visions have been for furniture and I would like to evolve in that field.
DL: What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?
CY : Young designers must have passion and faith in what they are doing. They have to overcome their insecurity and not be influenced by any negative comments. They should work hard, try for the best and take risks.
DL: What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?
CY : A good designer has good ideas that usually need to be improved. A great designer pays attention to every detail of his design, so he can give a flawless result. Α great designer is always a source of inspiration and a role model for a good designer.
DL: What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?
CY : I think that details make the difference between a really good design and a good design. A good design must be smart, innovative, functional and timeless.
DL: What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?
CY : What better way to live than to be surrounded by objects that are aesthetically pleasing while helping make our lives better and more comfortable.
DL: What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?
CY : If I had the time I would design a children’s wooden bicycle for my son.
DL: What is the dream project you haven’t yet had time to realize?
CY : The dream project I haven’t yet had time to realize is the chance to furnish an entire hotel unit.
DL: What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?
CY : Having nothing to lose. Being secluded in Greece, far from major design hubs and communities, all I could do was follow my heart and intuition, without any contact of feedback and the pressures that come with it. I had nothing to prove and no idea of my worth. So I guess you just have to do what feels right, and if it sticks it sticks.
DL: Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?
CY : Some of my favorite designers I get inspired from are Philippe Starck and Karim Rashid.
DL: What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?
CY : Some of my favorite designs by other designers are: 1.Filoferru chair by Robby Cantarutti and Partners 2.Inkline collection by Karim Rashid 3.Bucefalo sofa by Emanuele Canova And many more… I like them because of their aesthetics. Amazing ideas that I would have loved to have designed myself!
DL: What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?
CY : My greatest design is "LOOVER" sofa. The uniqueness of this sofa is a result of the way it is assembled. Its parts are separate and detachable, connected together in a way that does not require the use of tools, while this does not affect negatively on its static balance and sturdiness. For this reason the assembling and disassembling of this sofa is extremely simple and uncomplicated, done without the need of nuts, bolts, screws, glue or other such materials.
DL: How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?
CY : Many people are artists and can come up with beautiful designs. Like I said the trick is to get the design to be useful, sturdy, economical, long lasting. You have to test it, use it yourself, live with it, constantly improve it. I think it is intuitive.
DL: If you hadn’t become a designer, what would you have done?
CY : Like I said, I especially love playing music. If I had not become a designer, I would have pursued my career as a singer/composer more rigorously.
DL: How do you define design, what is design for you?
CY : Design is a way of expression, even a way of life. It comprises my vision of how the world can be more beautiful, more attractive, more interesting, and more functional. It is a bridge that connects the past with the future.
DL: Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?
CY : My biggest supporter was my wife, who believed in me and my designs. She was always encouraging me and giving me the strength to carry on.
DL: What were the obstacles you faced before becoming a design master?
CY : Funding! Prototypes are expensive and difficult to invest in when you have not yet had any success in the field to motivate you.
DL: What’s your next design project, what should we expect from you in future?
CY : There are many projects I am working on. The one I believe most is a chair I designed and intend to manufacture, to see how it works and what impact it will make. Winning the A’ Design Award is a great motive for me to keep going and do great things.
DL: What’s your ultimate goal as a designer?
CY : My ultimate goal as a designer is to master my craft, become renowned in the field of design and to collaborate with big companies of the design industry.
DL: How does design help create a better society?
CY : Design can be considered as a form as a form of human intervention to make our surroundings more hospitable and functional. It is a mean to improve our way of living.
DL: How long does it take you to finalize a design project?
CY : It depends on how clear the idea of the design is in my mind and how complicated it might be. The time varies from one day to two weeks.
DL: What is your life motto as a designer?
CY : The simpler a design is, the more interesting it becomes.
DL: Do you think design sets the trends or trends set the designs?
CY : I believe that design sets the trends.
DL: When you see a new great design or product what comes into your mind?
CY : It depends. Sometimes I think that I could have thought it myself and some other times I think: "I wish it was an idea of mine"!
DL: How do you feel about all the awards and recognition you had, is it hard to be famous?
CY : This is my first award and it feels great. It took an extra amount of effort to realize these designs, I faced a lot of rejection locally so it is really affirming to receive international recognition from peers of the highest esteem. I am excited for the future.
DL: What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?
CY : Grey, Firenze, spagetti bolognese, my electric guitar, diesel.
