Ekaterina Pine

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Ekaterina Pine ("EP") 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?

EP : I started my design journey as a hobby when I was studying engineering at university. Those days I was learning Photoshop. The hobby eventually evolved into a passion and I started my self-learning, internships and this is how I learned about interface design. I was surprised to understand that I really can combine creative and analytical thinking in one job. This discovery set my development vector for years and this is how I ended up here. After my graduation, I started second bachelor degree in fashion design, because I was also interested in getting more knowledge and practice from passionate people.

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

EP : I wanted to create something beautiful and useful for people

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

EP : It was only my choice. My family still doesn't understand what I do. (Kidding)

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

EP : I am a product designer, I like to work on applications and high-load interfaces.

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

EP : Never despair and do not compare yourself with others, but compare yourself only with yourself

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

EP : The details! As they say, the devil is in the details.

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

EP : Good design is one that you don't notice, it doesn't scream or hit in the eye

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

EP : Design makes our life easier, it should help people

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

EP : I would like to make a project for people with disabilities.

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

EP : I would like to make a project for people with disabilities.

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

EP : Only work leads to results

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

EP : Jony Ive (Former Chief Design Officer at Apple Inc.), Jan Tschichold (Calligrapher, typographer, book designer), Jakob Nielsen (Web usability consultant), Don Norman (researcher, professor, and author)

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

EP : The Wassily Chair, that, was designed by Marcel Breuer in 1925–1926 while he was the head of the cabinet-making workshop at the Bauhaus, in Dessau, Germany. His entire body of work embodies the driving Bauhaus objective to reconcile art and industry. His entire body of work, both architecture and furniture, embodies the driving Bauhaus objective to reconcile art and industry. This chair remain among the most identifiable icons of the modern design.

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

EP : I think that my mobile app that won the silver award here is the my greatest design because this project solves user problems and other professional designers have noticed this

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

EP : Only work leads to results

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

EP : I think I would write books

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

EP : This is everything that surrounds us and makes our life more interesting.

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

EP : My family

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

EP : Desire to make our lives better

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

EP : The biggest obstacle is self-doubt.

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

EP : Of course, in order to understand at what level you are, you must show your work to others, be able to listen to criticism and accept it with gratitude.

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

EP : Difficult question, I think something even more important and useful to people. I would like to make a project for people with disabilities.

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

EP : Create a product that will improve our lives and benefit the business

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

EP : That I won't stop and I'll move on

DL: How does design help create a better society?

EP : Design is a wonderful field, as it makes our life more convenient and more beautiful

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

EP : I have several projects in the works at the moment, but I don't think I can talk about them

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

EP : Social projects, because they have properties on society

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

EP : I want technology to become more accessible.

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

EP : Now many people say that design in the IT field will die soon, but I don't agree with this statement. I think, it transforms into other species. For example, we are increasingly talking about virtual reality, and recently digital design has spread to other areas where it did not exist before. We have learned to use new tools and see the world in a new way.

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

EP : Depends on the project and tasks to be solved

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

EP : I always start by researching a topic, then doing a competitiv

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

EP : Mix and Match

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

EP : I think that we, as a society, define trends, because they reflect the problems that concern us, and then these trends are expressed in design.

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

EP : One of the main roles. I am a product designer, so all my work is done in programs that are designed for this.

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

EP : Figma, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Miro, Advanced, Coda

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

EP : Of course, colors affect the human psyche, so I pay special attention to them. In addition, when working on a project that should appear on the screen, you need to think about color contrast so as not to damage the user's eyes.

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

EP : I think the question is about the problems that my product should solve.

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

EP : How? How is it done?

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

EP : I don't have a partner right now, but I think that every designer should be able to work in a team

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

EP : I think my teachers at the design academy

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

EP : "The Design of Everyday Things" by Don Norman

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

EP : I try to follow what others are doing and practice. Even on holidays I try to do small projects for myself.

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

EP : Jony Ive (Former Chief Design Officer at Apple Inc.), Jakob Nielsen (Web usability consultant), Don Norman (researcher, professor, and author)

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

EP : I don't know, I'm not that famous yet. I am more interested in where and how to move forward in the field of design.

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

EP : My favorite color is blue, because when mixed with gray, this mixture gives the best result on the screen. And speaking of brand, I like Google because of their googliness.

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

EP : I don't remember right away, sorry.

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

EP : I am motivated by master classes from other designers or communication with them

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

EP : Yes, absolutely, I studied at the art school, loved to sew, knit, draw.

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

EP : Difficult question, can't say

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

EP : Never give up! If you sincerely want to become a designer, you just need to find your way