Artur Konariev

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Artur Konariev ("AK") 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?

AK : Most of the stories that artists and designers tell you are about how they haven't even learned to walk yet, but they've already started drawing, their parents noticed this amazing ability and sent them to a super-specialized art school, and they graduated with top grades. That's not my story. I didn't have a passion for drawing when I was a kid. At school, I asked my sister to draw for me just to pass the subject. It wasn't until university that I got to know Photoshop. I saw what it could do, it interested me and I began to explore it and the art universe around me. So I started learning about graphics, web design, and then UX/UI. I have two educational degrees that help me interact with design - philosophy and cognitive psychology. My first design education is in the Product Interface Design Course and after that, I studied UX and Human-Centered Design. The idea “to change life for the better” is the part of design thinking and my approach. I'm a perfectionist by nature. Therefore, I feel passionate about each of my projects. I’m a senior Product designer specializing in design thinking, user-friendly interface, and creative direction. I continue working and developing my skills in design.

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

AK : The most obvious reason is that you get paid for being creative. Although sometimes design can be a procedural discipline, it does allow you to flex your creativity on an ongoing, daily basis. One of the very best things about the design world, in general, is that it's constantly evolving and redefining itself. Every day is different and interesting when you are a designer.

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

AK : I’ve never really had a career in any other field or seriously considered another one. I was fortunate to grow up with computers and the internet at home and knew I wanted to work with them as a career. The design seemed like a good balance between complex problem solving (science and technology) and the open-ended activity (arts) that I enjoyed. Despite being an introvert, I am incredibly fascinated by observing how people and communities think and behave and I knew the design had a huge influence on that.

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

AK : I mainly work on digital projects, which are constantly evolving. I love working on them because they are very challenging and have a strong sense of style. I like all the processes on the way of turning the idea into something meaningful and functional at the same time.

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

AK : To my mind, great designers understand that it takes creativity plus an understanding of business to create great designs. They understand that design is 80% research and 20% execution - and that often the best solution is one that a competitor or similar company has already invested in solving.

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

AK : The design process is very important to a successful project. It not only needs to look good, but it also needs to fulfill its purpose. A good design should not only be able to solve a particular task, but it should also be able to help solve the other business and users’ problems. It's important to formulate a strategy and a goal at the beginning of a business project so that everyone knows what the goal should be. After conducting a thorough analysis, I come up with a strategy that will help solve the various problems that come up during the course of the project. Someone can also add if the design is profitable - this is a success. I agree with this because one of the business tasks is to make a profit. Otherwise, what is the use of all this? I always use the term "it works" and "it doesn't work" as an objective judgment, and I would never describe a design as ugly or beautiful.

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

AK : It is quite difficult to communicate the value of good design in a quantifiable way. Traditionally value is often looked at as ROI, meaning, the difference between what you spend and what you get back is your direct value. I guess the value of good design is the opportunity to create meaningful first impressions, help you differentiate yourself from your competitors, and can solve problems.

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

AK : There are many areas of activity that appeal to me and in which I would like to increase my presence. For example, government installations, hospitals, transportation, education, and retail, all use old-style software applications. They are not functional, not convenient, challenging to use, and terrible in appearance. I would like to solve these problems with a practical, user-oriented, visually pleasing design. The work of these employees would become much simpler and more convenient; this would solve many problems that exist in many countries.

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

AK : Create a flamethrower, launch a car into space already done. Colonize Mars; I just do not have time to prepare everything faster than Elon. I'm not sure what it will be, but there will be something interesting.

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

AK : Keep it simple or 'genius is based on simplicity. Why do I think simplicity is good? Because when I am dealing with objects, it is vital for me to feel that I am controlling them. By ordering chaos, you find a way to subjugate the subject. Simplicity is not only a visual style. This is not minimalism or lack of clutter. It is necessary to dig a tunnel in the bowels of complexity to achieve simplicity. To be truly simple, you need to get to the very depths. For example, if you are missing some cogs, you run the risk of creating something overly complex and confusing. But it is much better to focus on simplicity, to study it, to figure out its components. To get rid of the secondary, you need to penetrate the essence of the subject. Jonathan Ive

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

AK : I like the design by Jonathan Ive. Everyone should understand that the point here is not only in design as a visual component but also in user experience. His work is functional and thought out to the smallest detail. This is what I call excellent design.

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

AK : One of the most important objects that I carry with me when it comes to design is my Macbook Pro. This is because it is an extension of my mind and body. Being in focus mode is always an asterisk task, especially when you're on the road, in a public place, or just have kids. That's why I use BEATS Studio3 Wireless, they always save me in the most stressful situations. The other things are not professionally related, but they are part of my routine and I enjoy using them. A morning cup of coffee brewed in the V60 gives me energy for the whole day.

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

AK : It is not always easy to choose a project or a collaboration. However, I am satisfied with the results of many of these projects. Edvoy was a turning point in my career, as it was the first multidisciplinary project that I worked on completely. Initially, the journey was hard, but it allowed me to meet some of the most interesting people in the industry. It also gave me the opportunity to work with some of the most innovative digital and analog technologies.

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

AK : The design should also be successful not just because it looks good, but also because it fulfills its purpose. I believe that there is nothing more valuable than a good design that meets the needs of the users. Even if you are not good at what you do, it does not matter as long as you are constantly improving and learning. This is the only way to become great in the design industry. One of the most important factors that you can consider when it comes to becoming a great designer is to continuously improve your skills.

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

AK : I would become a businessman and client. Design is the same business. The business has many directions, art, paintings, finance, and retail. All of them have stages, regardless of the field of activity. Before starting the project, it is necessary to do a study. Study the market, products, users, and competitors, write a business plan and, following the steps, implement everything that I planned— the same as the design processes.

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

AK : For me, design is about communicating feelings through visual sensations and unique experiences. The design provides an opportunity to create distinction, in visual communication, service, or product design by adding your personal touch. design is to find the most functional, and the aesthetically satisfying way where possible, to solve a problem or respond to a need.

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

AK : Unfortunately, I did not have a mentor whom I could rely on and count on for help. I had to achieve everything myself, and I am happy that I went this way. I met many interesting people, visited many places, and solved complex problems that made me who I am now.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

AK : It doesn’t matter how good you are. Fields like design are always changing, shifting, and growing. The only way to stay on the edge is to constantly learn and improve your design skills. I think one needs to make progress and improve design skills despite the level of expertise. Learning from the greats is the only possible way to become great.

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

AK : Designers must stay attuned to the fast-changing trends and preferences within audiences of different generations, cultural backgrounds, and tech-savvy. Besides, feeling a lack of control and ownership over your work can be the most difficult thing for a designer or any creative professional. Unfortunately, it is a reality of doing work for hire. The client or employer gets to dictate the art direction more often than not, and very early in your career, you’ll likely be little more than an executor for someone’s creative vision.

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

AK : It depends on the project complexity. At this time, when the world is changing rapidly and dictating its own rules. From my perspective, I would advise approving ideas with clients, even at the level of thought, without a long preparation of presentations. It is better to understand that you and the client are on the same wavelength at the beginning of the project at the stage of brainstorming, drafts, and prototypes. It will be worse if, after the end of the project, you presented to the client all the genius of your work, and he says that this is not at all what he wanted and expected. Include your client in your work process, so they will be in the know and feel responsible for the steps taken since he signed up for the proposed concept, and prototypes, then he will not be able to say that the structure is not the same.

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

AK : It’s too early to say that due to the pandemic and war, many of our clients suspended their work, and it violated plans. But we are also negotiating with new customers who have managed to adapt to new working conditions and are ready to develop. I tell everyone that this is your chance. At the same time, your competitors are frozen and take no action, you can use this minute to improve yourself, your brand, and your product, enter the market with a new offer when everything works again, and this will happen anyway.

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

AK : I am constantly evolving and set high goals to encourage myself to improve myself. One of the most important goals that I set for myself is to be able to participate in as many competitions as possible.

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

AK : Well, the clients love a little extra sugar in their coffee, therefore they expect many things at a time. They expect perfect understanding and an eternal stream of ideas, Besides, they often expect you to know their preferences and needs as soon as they walk up. In case you are an esteemed designer, there is no place for mistakes in your work. The standards and expectations get even more sophisticated each time.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

AK : I design solutions to cater to the individuals' needs. Well-designed products improve how people accomplish tasks and as a result, the operation of society as a whole. A good designer can also be a powerful tool for organizations that are committed to addressing various environmental and social issues. In our small way, I try to make sure that our clients are aware of the importance of being socially and environmentally responsible. This is because, like everyone else, the designer is expected to behave responsibly. We can convey complicated things in a language that is easy to understand, and also, through trial and error, improve existing principles and things. For example, a designer can create a universal type of bottle that, during production, will use 50% less plastic but remain convenient and functional.

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

AK : I have been working on an exciting NFT marketplace lately and would love to share its details with you, but I can't do that yet. Stay tuned so you do not miss out.

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

AK : With each new project, I am becoming a little better than yesterday. I always try to implement new technology in a project and create a new concept. In this way, it gets possible not to stop and develop all the time. One such project was the development of an AR application for LG Uplus along with the EyeCandyLab team from Augmented Reality. Then it was my first touch of Additional Reality not as a user but as a designer. This project gave me deeper knowledge and skills in using new technology in practice. Now I use this experience to make new projects more successful. By adding new functionality, applications become better and more popular as they solve even more tasks.

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

AK : I like the tendency of Bio design; unity with nature is now more relevant than ever.

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

AK : Obviously, over the past century, the design field has evolved and expanded. I guess this tendency will get even a faster pace in the future. To my mind, in the near future design will get more paramount. It will address even more complex problems. Design is not only a beautiful cover; the design is a problem-solving tool. Technologies like AR / VR / MR / XR will change major industries like medicine, architecture, transportation, space, and the automotive industry. An excellent example of Elon Musk with his ideas. Do not also forget about Bio design: unity with nature is now more relevant than ever.

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

AK : It depends on the object's complexity. It may take from several days up to several months, actually. At this time, when the world is changing rapidly and dictating its own rules, I cannot develop some projects for months. Business needs to offer quick solutions that are relevant now. We killed a perfectionist. We took maximum responsibility and decisions on ourselves. For us, the speed of response, relevance, and strength of an idea is more critical than a licked creative.

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

AK : The process that a designer uses can vary depending on the type of project that they are working on. However, it can be done simply and can be divided into five phases: empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test. Although it may seem like a linear process, every project should be iterative. This means that I will continue to develop the designs as I gather more information about the end-users. For instance, if I receive feedback during testing, I might need to look into developing new ideas.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

AK : 1“Have no fear of perfection—you’ll never reach it.” –Salvador Dali 2 “Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.” –Steve Jobs 3. “Draw the art you want to see, start the business you want to run, play the music you want to hear, write the books you want to read, build the products you want to use – do the work you want to see done.” ― Austin Kleon 4. “Plagiarism is trying to pass someone else's work off as your own. Copying is about reverse-engineering.” ― Austin Kleon, Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative

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

AK : I believe that trends set the designs. Changes that occur in the world, in society, science, and technology affect the development of the design.

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

AK : Because of the development of technology, designers are not just all about art anymore. They are also now becoming more knowledgeable about data sciences and mathematics. The rise of artificial technology and the Internet of Things are just some examples of why there are now more kinds of skilled designers that can serve the world today.

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

AK : I rely on sites like Dribbble and Behance for inspiration. They allow me to create mood boards and collections that are useful for the creative process. Miro, Figma, Sketch, and InVision are the main tools in my work. Another tool that I use is Jira, which allows me to manage my work even when I am working with multiple agencies and freelancers.

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

AK : The correlation of colors is essential to their impact. The appropriate combination of colors expresses thoughts inefficiently without words and influences audiences. The selection of specific colors by an individual or a company should reflect their brand mission along with strength and clarity so that it will attract prospective customers.

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

AK : "Why?". Most people stop at the surface and ask questions about certain details such as shapes, colors, etc., but never ask "why" this was done in this way. I try to focus on the overall idea and the reason behind the design. Many of the decisions that I make are based on research and study.

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

AK : This process usually involves analyzing the details of the design to understand how it was made and how it could be improved. I also try to find ways to make it more usable in a future job.

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

AK : I have a reliable partner, Yuliia Mishchenko, and I feel quite comfortable working with her and our team. Usually, I am looking for people whom I can trust, who have the same ambitions to develop a common cause like me, and who will cover the expertise in those industries in which we do not have the necessary skills. This means I can trust my ideas and thoughts, I can trust them to do important tasks, I can trust the perspectives and the future of the company which I built with my co-founder. I guess when you find a perfect match that concerns your team there should be no difficulties in working together. I would advise choosing a designer according to your own goals and ideas. Of course, knowledge and experience are important, but more important is the common vibe.

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

AK : They will probably be trivial choices, but two of the ones I remember with pleasure are two great classics: Universal Principles of Design - William Lidwell, Kritina Holden, Jill Butler Designing Design - Kenya Hara Design Elements, Color Fundamentals: A Graphic Style Manual for Understanding How Color Affects Design - Aaris Sherin

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

AK : I never stop exploring myself. Every new task opens up new sources in me. I would say I value simplicity. For me, the design is about communicating feelings through visual sensations and unique experiences. The design provides an opportunity to create distinction, in visual communication, service, or product design by adding your personal touch. One of the main reasons I think simplicity is beneficial is because it allows me to feel that I am controlling my environment. This is because when dealing with objects, it is important for me to feel that I am in complete control. It is also a process that involves digging a tunnel to get to the bottom of complexity. To be truly simple, you need to first get to the very depths. For instance, if you are not sure what to include in a design, then you might end up creating something too complex. However, it is better to study it, and then get rid of the secondary components.

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

AK : With many, and not only from the world of design. Many people are doing inspiration by great things when doing their work. I would like to get to know them, chat, and understand what motivates them, and what drives them. It would be a wonderful experience and time.

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

AK : I’ve been lucky enough to experience awards from various positions: as a nominee, a judge, and a presenter. I know that receiving recognition can change a team or individual’s energy, engagement, and motivation. I have not reached that level of recognition to start worrying about it.

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

AK : I am delighted with natural colors, summer green, the color of natural brown leather on products, and a combination of black and white in clothes. I love nature, I like to climb mountains, it is incredibly beautiful and inspiring. There I can relax and enjoy forgetting everything. Each season of the year has its own charms, its own characteristics. In autumn there are a lot of fresh food, vegetables, fruits, and meat. Winter Games in the snow, skiing, winter festivals. In the spring it is warm and cozy and in the summer the sun and summer rains, warm evenings with family and friends. I listen to Ukrainian modern folk, rock, rock and roll, blues, soul, classical music, and alternative. It all depends on the place and mood.

DL: Please tell us a little memoir, a funny thing you had experienced as a designer?

AK : It was a web design project for a beauty salon: an exciting project but just a hell of a client. I had no experience in communicating with clients, and I thought that "The client is always right." However, this is not entirely true. Therefore, he put me through the wringer; there were a lot of corrections and concepts. As a result, I created my design concept, not according to the brief and vision of the client. Guess what - it was approved by the client right away with minor corrections. It was my little victory, but still, it was not the most pleasant experience. After that, I had thoughts to end up designing, but I decided that one client is not an indicator. After this, I pulled up my technical and communication skills a bit and continued to work with the design.

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

AK : When the customer is satisfied with the first proposal/iteration, that is a perfect day, you know you have hit the point without making mistakes.

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

AK : I dreamed of becoming an actor, this is also a creative profession, so I can say that I was always drawn to create something with my own hands. To knit, cross-stitch, and create wood furniture, I tried and did all this, I want to tell you and it worked out pretty well for me.

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

AK : Things like flying cars, sophisticated artificial intelligence, and quantum computers may emerge from science fiction into reality in less time than we think. Thus, a thousand years is a far long perspective to discuss. It's hard to wrap the mind around how far advanced we'll be by then.

DL: Please tell us anything you wish your fans to know about you, your design and anything else?

AK : They can contact me through my contact form on the website or by email. Or on Facebook, Instagram, Dribbble, and Behance.