Skevi Farazi

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Skevi Farazi ("SF") 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?

SF : I studied architecture in Athens, and then returned to Cyprus where I got the chance to create a diverse portfolio with projects such as public and residential buildings, interior and open spaces, exhibition and furniture design; all developed thoroughly either individually or within collaborations.

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

SF : My need to be creative and express in space led me to be an architect and my drive for a constant development urged me to explore the limits of architecture between different platforms of expression and creativity.

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

SF : I had the desire to be an architect since my childhood when for hours I was trying to visualise how the space could have been differently designed.

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

SF : Throughout my experience I had the chance to develop a variety of projects from public and residential buildings, interior and open spaces, exhibition and furniture design. I would love to design a bit more of cultural spaces -buildings and interior exhibition spaces- or maybe to pursue in fashion design!

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

SF : Not to be afraid to dare something new and unknown.

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

SF : A great designer is the one who can achieve the balance in his design, high quality in detail, be imaginative and constantly progress keeping the bar high.

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

SF : A good design can offer a quality of life that even if it is a building or a small object it can give a value at the everyday life and wellbeing; moments to appreciate and be grateful for.

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

SF : Having a vision, adhere with the core idea and be persistent to detail.

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

SF : ‘On Stage’, the permanent exhibition of Cyprus Theatre museum, is my most favourite design which also reflects my love for theatre. It created a narrative space which evolves gradually in an experiential approach where boundaries of spectating and ‘acting’ are intertwined. The design was expressed in different ways and media and managed to engage the spectator in awe.

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

SF : As designers we constantly need to explore the different ways of expression and be updated of what’s going on in all cultural scenes

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

SF : A contemporary dancer!

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

SF : Design is defined by the additional aspects which characterise a product, further than its functionality.

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

SF : It is a personal journey inspired by the collective knowledge and creative expression

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

SF : The need to express creatively in different aspects

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

SF : To be able to offer spaces or items that make people happy and serene. If I can achieve this in a collective level that would be great!

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

SF : A result that satisfies their aim, but it is also unique.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

SF : A good design will contribute to the well-being of the user and unconsciously educate them to appreciate and accept ‘beauty’ which ultimately will reflect back to their character /society.

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

SF : At the moment I’m at the phase of setting up my practice at a new country, which means new audience, new environment. It will make me revaluate my work and approach unknown spectrums of design activity.

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

SF : Kallinikio Town Hall of Athienou was the first public project I have done in the beginning of my career. It was a public project for a rural community. The challenge was its design which was contemporary and difficult to be accepted by the community in the beginning but successfully engaged with them after it was realised. The Theatre museum exhibition ‘On Stage’ is for me a unique project which reflects above all my love for theatre. It was a great collaboration with all team members and the client and succeeded to satisfy both the theatre community and its visitors.

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

SF : To be more sustainable.

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

SF : From understanding and filtering the client’s needs and vision

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

SF : It is important to be aware of the latest technology but not be a victim of it.

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

SF : It is very important to find the right balance between all these aspects

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

SF : Mies van der Rohe

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

SF : When we designed the Town Hall, we needed to have some services discharging in front of the building at the main entrance plateau. We proudly thought to place the signage of the building on a glass surface in front of them (as an enclosure) at a low -eye level- height. The community were waiting the moment that this would be lifted higher! And when they realised it won’t, they added an extra sign on the building higher on the wall behind.

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

SF : Nice music, clean environment a good tea and having no other tasks than focusing in the design.

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

SF : Since I was a child, I loved to visit new places or houses to see how they are designed… and I was just determined that I would become an architect.