Maria Bradovkova

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Maria Bradovkova ("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 did my BA in design, Faculty of Arts, Technical University of Kosice in Kosice, Slovakia. I have completed my MA (specialization in visual communication) in Jan Matejko Academy of Fine Arts in Cracow, Poland. Currently, I am in the fourth year of my second master studies in painting in Jan Matejko Academy of Fine Arts in Cracow.

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

MB : Since childhood, I enjoyed drawing and desired to be a painter. On my way, I went through design.

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

MB : I am not an active designer, I actually focus on art — drawing, painting, illustration at the moment. I do graphic design occasionally.

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

MB : I do drawing, painting, illustration, occasionaly graphic design.

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

MB : I would say commitment, practice, constant development and originality, consciousness.

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

MB : In my opinion it should be original, fresh, practical, ergonomic, engaging, intuitive, and playful. Well-made product that answers problem of many and its conscious, sustainable, last for years.

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

MB : Good design serves people and environment. It's educational.

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

MB : In terms of illustrations, there are books and picture books of polish illustrators Iwona Chmielewska and Joanna Concejo. They use Very sensitive and poetic narration through symbols and metaphors.

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

MB : I am happy about my diploma project. Under supervision of prof. Władysław Pluta, together with advices regarding photography from dr. Tomáš Agat Błoński, I designed two albums — photo biography, about my aunt Antonia. Its was personal, not commercial project but it has a value for my family. Its like a memoir with archival photos together with photos I made for purpose of the album, presenting her everyday life and personal belongings. It was a challenge to collect and select material, create layout. I am very happy about the result. It has a charm, handmade touch, under supervision I did bookbinding myself. It was challenging and complex project.

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

MB : I would work in craft potentially. I enjoy handmade process of creating.

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

MB : Design for me is a good project that is conscious, attentive to people and environment.

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

MB : I don't consider myself great designer or artists. I am at the beginning of my path. I have met many supportive teachers and professors during my studies, and last but not least, my family and close ones.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

MB : As I said, I am not a great designer or artist yet. I am a student. Time will tell, how I will transform into practise all that education I went through.

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

MB : I am keen on doing more personal work, illustrations and paintings.

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

MB : Becoming professional and live from my work.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

MB : In my opinion design should be educational and conscious about the environment.

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

MB : If all goes well, there is a project — product design I designed when I was younger and with some help I hope it will go to the market. Beside that, I am excited when I transform my ideas into images on paper or canvas.

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

MB : When working on graphic design project, I always start from research, knowing the client and his expectation. When I do personal project — drawing or painting. I need a vision, then I draw a sketch to decide about the composition. As a next step I do it in colour, If I am not sure about colour palette, I do more different sketches.

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

MB : In my drawing and illustrations, I choose analogue techniques. I like to experiment with watercolour, ink, pencil, crayons, chalk on paper and combine it together. Recently I work with gouache on paper. I do oilpaintings on canvas too. When I do some graphic design projects, I use Adobe Package.

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

MB : Its important because colour creates atmosphere, mental correlations, and together with material and proportion it defines character of design. Material creates sensual experience, effects economic aspects.

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

MB : I am happy somebody did that!