Chrysi Vrantsi

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Chrysi Vrantsi ("CV") 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?

CV : I am an Architect Engineer from Greece. I hold a master's degree in Architecture from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece. I am interested in algorithmic design. I have completed my internship in the United Kingdom in a research studio and a few years ago I founded the architectural office "VRANTSI" in Greece.

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

CV : I believe that every project is a challenge for me to deliver something beautiful and unique. In every project I want to improve myself, it motivates me to become a better designer. The sense of creation is what made me become a designer. I could not even imagine my life without creativity .

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

CV : No, it was absolutely my choice. When I was a child I wanted to become an artist, in my childhood I expressed myself through my oil paintings, After the first year of studies in architecture I realized that being an architect was the destination of my life. Architecture is a combination of art and science and design is the balanced integration of artistic sensitivity and the scientific design process.

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

CV : I mainly deal with interior decoration, furniture design and architectural design of buildings. What I like most are the buildings, I prefer to design public buildings that people have access to. Architecture is a work of art for people and its greatest beauty comes when it is accessible to all people

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

CV : Follow their dreams and work hard.

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

CV : It is much more difficult to become a great designer than a good designer. A good designer gets this title from people who are not involved in the field of design, to be a great designer you must be recognized for your work by experts in your field.

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

CV : Evaluating a project is a complex process. A good design must meet the design goals set by the designer or the client. I personally believe that a really good design should be innovative. For me this is the main difference between a good design and a really good design, that a really good design has to come up with something new for the design industry.

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

CV : Good design is valuable, it could make our lives better. Good design should focus on promoting environmental awareness, security, equality and resilience resistance of the future cities. For this reason we should invest in good design

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

CV : If I had time I would like to design a public space for my city Thessaloniki, a space accessible to the people, to involve in outdoor activities.

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

CV : If I had the opportunity I would like to design an Olympic stadium. The Olympic Games started in Greece, I would be very happy and proud to design such a project.

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

CV : There is no a secret recipe just give time and love to things you love

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

CV : I admire and I am inspired by Claude Parent's designs, Zaha Hadid buildings and by the revolutionary mind of Neri Oxman.

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

CV : I would become an artist or a scientist. Both are creative and constitute two different perspectives of architecture Art and Science.

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

CV : I think the values my family promotes helped me. Both my parents supported me in my steps and gave me the strength to fight for my dreams. Also the people who trusted me in my first steps academically and professionally.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

CV : I think I have an inner need for creativity that needs to come out and be expressed. This "need" helped me to express myself through my design projects. It is a constant and unlimited energy.

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

CV : I started as an artist in my childhood, I learned that we have to go from a real figure (model) to the abstract (artwork). But the architecture is completely different architecture starts from abstract to create something real. I had to overcome these theoretical obstacles I had in my mind to understand what architecture is

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

CV : It depends on the design and the personality and aesthetics of the designer. Presentations are something very personal, it is really interesting to imagine how many different ways there are to present a work. (presentation colors, textures, designs, videos, VR, etc.)

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

CV : My next design project is a private villa located on the Mediterranean coast in Greece. We want our project to be integrated into the Mediterranean landscape and at the same time to promote a bold and dynamic aesthetic.

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

CV : We are currently completing the design of the facade of an apartment building in Greece. In addition, we have just completed a beach bar project located in Thassos in Greece.

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

CV : It took me about two years to design this particular design.

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

CV : I start from geographical features, social features as well as the history of the site.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

CV : Every project you complete must reflect yourself

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

CV : There is no right or wrong procedure. For me, an informed architect must have in mind all the trends and style of the decades and propose something innovative and different. Some trends have been developed through technological innovation in the construction sector.

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

CV : Every project you complete must reflect yourself

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

CV : That I need to learn more about it. How it works, what technology it uses, what the material is and more information about the designer or company.

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

CV : My ideal design partner is my sister Anastasia Vrantsi, we already work together in several projects and we are co founders of our firm Vrantsi

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

CV : I believe that the architect Jacques Rougerie, whom I had the opportunity to meet two years ago in Paris, influenced me more in my design. He is a visionary architect and develops a biomimetic, bio-inspired architectural approach.

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

CV : Here you can find some of the books that influenced me most during my design process. Carpo Mario, "The alphabet and the algorithm" Neil Leach, "Design for a digital world" Terzidis Kostas, "Algorithmic Architecture"

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

CV : A designer never stops developing his skills. I believe that being a designer is a constant research. As a designer I always have to design at the ends of technology and materials-science.

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

CV : If it was possible, I would like to talk with Fidias. Phidias was a Greek sculptor, painter, and architect influenced countless artists and engineers over the centuries. Art and science intersected perfectly in Fidias masterpieces.