Kristina Pacesaite

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Kristina Pacesaite ("KP") 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?

KP : My background is quite eclectic. Graphic design is my second profession, the first is ceramics which i started as a hobby when i was 10 years old.

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

KP : I have always liked practical activities, it is important for me to see the result immediately. in ceramics, part of the process can be unexpected, while in graphic design you have more control over the process and see the whole picture at once. I am inspired by the process and motivated by the curiosity to discover and show the uniqueness of each client or brand.

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

KP : I can't say for sure if I was forced to study design, in some sense yes, because I saw how much it is needed in all fields.Design is in every step, and it is necessary to understand it if we want to convey our value to others.

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

KP : I have been specializing in packaging for gastronomy for the last 8 years, it is the area where I feel the best. I my designs i often use illustrations, i think it is the great way to convey the character of the brand. i want to do more of wine or other drink labels, for me it is interesting and funny precess.

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

KP : There are so many talented young designers! They have all the tools and media to achieve their goals. First i would say they have to start working on different projects and in the process they can narrow their vision to what they like the best. And they cannot stop learning.

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

KP : Good designer follows the rules, and a great designer knows when to brake them.

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

KP : Good design captures attention, gives the information, is easy to understand.. Really good design inspires you,invites you to be a part of the brand family, gives you the sence of great value.

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

KP : As designers, we define how a product looks and feels, but more crucially, how it aligns with users needs and aspirations. Good design gives intangible benefits to the barnd with powerful ripple effects as a robust brand reputation, higher user engagement, customer loyalty.

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

KP : I would like to do bigger projects who extend beyond packaging, maybe some murals, or even combine it with ceramics doing dishes or interior details.

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

KP : I thing i have no particular project in mind, every timei like to start from scratch. the breif inspires to investigate and search for new ideas.

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

KP : Be passionate. Your passion will automatically inspire you. Also develop your own style of thinking and designing. i like to use illustration in my works.

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

KP : I am not original here, I would say I love Massimo Vignelli, Saul Bass, Paul Rand... but my first inspiration came from a few artists during the Soviet era: the logos and calligraphy - Gediminas Pempe, book illustrations - Albina Makunaite, posters by Vladimir Lebedev and Alexander Rodchenko.

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

KP : i do like Rotko photography ( I like the composition and structure) Stasys Eidrigevicius paintings and illustrations ( timeless magic of being, simple and complicated questions).

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

KP : funny enough my best work was made from a sketch in 15 min at the university class and the same night the fire destroyed almost all the works.. it was a logotype that came into my mind with simple forms, somehow I knew it was great because it ticked all the boxes: simple, clear, timeless and with the element of surprise. Till now I have no finished peace, just remember the idea..

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

KP : I think nowadays we think too much about gaining more skills and knowledge every day, of course, tecnical knowledge is crucial, but the inspiration can come from anywhere. I think you have to enjoy small moments of life and let your imagination go into different places.

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

KP : I love animals, maybe I could be a zoo-psychologist.

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

KP : if we think of graphic design i would mention simplicity, aesthetic appeal, unexpected details

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

KP : My family always supported me in all my beginnings, I think is a lot better to create in loving environment.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

KP : The main thing was that I followed my intuition, I have tried different areas, but always was driven back to my passion.. Follow your gut.

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

KP : Every profession has its own nuance, maybe some mechanical work can be done with a bad mood, but creative work requires some special state of the mind I would call it. Sometimes it is hard to achieve it.

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

KP : The work has to be displayed beautifully, articulately presented, and properly aligned with the client’s original objectives.

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

KP : I hope to start some projects with the local organic food producers.

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

KP : Never stop learning and combining emerging technological possibilities with my main areas of work.

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

KP : Most of my clients expect professional approach and understanding of the latest trends, also they expect creativity and smooth communication.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

KP : Designers have the skills and expertise to create solutions that address social, cultural, and environmental issues.

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

KP : currently I work on redesigning a bread packaging, I have to grab the essence of the brand and give it a new face.

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

KP : Almost every time then I had more freedom to experiment and less "restrictions". Surprisingly some of them the client didn't like.

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

KP : We all know AI is changing the landscape of design, and media careers in general. I would like to see two different paths: original artist work based on creative thinking and development behind the idea and some other (based on AI tools)

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

KP : We already can see the workflow expand it into animation, video, 3D..we have to learn to enhance our creative presence into different medias.

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

KP : it depends on the project itself, on the communication with the client, average project can take 1-2months.

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

KP : I begin with a client briefing to understand goals and preferences, research on the industry and target audience meanwhile creating mood boards for inspiration.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

KP : Transform your weaknesses into your super powers

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

KP : I can go both ways

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

KP : it allows me optimize the design process leaving more space for creativity

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

KP : mainly Adobe Creative Suite

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

KP : Color energizes your spirit, materials stimulate your senses, and ambient lifts your mood.

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

KP : they can ask about the inspiration, the reasons behind the colour, mood choices.

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

KP : When I look at other designers work I would like to know how it was made, what is the thinking behind it.

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

KP : Co-design works well if the skills every artist has can enhance the overall quality of the final product. It is important to make the people you work with feel invested in the experiences of your users. can

DL: Which people you interacted had the most influence on your design?

KP : beside the artists I already mentioned above I think the most influence on my design decisions were made by my academical drawing teacher , she was a perfectionist and a deep thinker.

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

KP : Marty Neumeier, Ellen Lupton books

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

KP : I have learned the fundamentals at college and university, when experimenting with different styles and areas, and finally specialising in food branding and packaging

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

KP : Socrates, Alexander the Macedonian, Leonardo Da Vinci

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

KP : I do not feel that way at all, I am happy when someone appreciates my work, but I think for me the precess has more fun than the final result.

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

KP : Grey is my favourite colour, I love autumn, forest is my best place to get some peace and energy, I do not have a favourite brand I see them more like a playground.

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

KP : I had a client who was asking for some design work once in. a while and it seemed ok overtime, but the last time we worked he was acting a bit strange: we were making the final touches to the project and he wanted to change the main brand colours ( established known brand)... 4 times... I asked to explain, and he said his wife didn't like the color (he had a new wife:))

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

KP : I love the feeling of calmness when I stay cosy at home with a cup of tea or coffee and I have a whole day "to play" with some design ideas.

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

KP : Yes and no, for me it was obvious every child has to draw all the time, we didn't have computers!

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

KP : I can't think of 3 years from now, the life is so fast. I can't even imagine and only hope we can survive

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

KP : Nobody does everything in design. We have limits, but we play on our strengths. I want people to understand it.