Jenya Lykasova

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Jenya Lykasova ("JL") 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?

JL : I must say that interior design is my life. I wanted to be an interior designer since I was 15, when I first saw a popular TV show about an apartment renovation. After that I entered an art school. I also got education in the Art College with a degree in creative arts. The next step in my professional path was higher education, I chose the Faculty of Architecture of the Belarusian National Technical University. I worked in a small design studio during my last year of school, where I managed to work on a rather large project by those standards - the interior for one of the bus stations in Minsk. Having successfully completed it, I got a job in an architectural bureau. All these steps were a conscious path to one goal - to become an interior designer by combining the artistic and engineering approach in my work.

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

JL : The desire to create and share ideas that have so much in my head.

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

JL : I chose this profession myself, which was basically the dream of my life.

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

JL : Although I mainly specialize in the design of residential and public spaces, however, I am very interested in the development of public space projects. Also, I’d like to design a small boutique hotel as well.

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

JL : I’ll answer when I’m a legend

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

JL : A good designer knows his or her price, a great designer doesn’t think about the price at all.

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

JL : Basically, the first is the idea. What do I feel when I see this space? What did the author want to say? The second one is - how harmonious everything is, how materials and colors are combined and finally - the proportions of all elements in the space.

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

JL : Good design makes life not only comfortable, but also affects our psyche. The harmony of the surrounding space forms a special way of thinking, we treat events differently and do not allow chaos and disorder in our lives. This is especially important if there are children in the family, because their knowledge of the world will begin from a harmonious space and this will set the way of the development for the child.

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

JL : To be honest, the idea of ​​creating small boutique hotels or guest houses around the world is very inspiring to me. Places where people from all over the world come to learn more about another city, country and culture are very interesting to design. In order to make a good project, you must get to know this culture, soak it up to show all the features that are visible and invisible at first glance. I am also very interested in retail and other public spheres. I must mention that I enjoy creating interiors that contain impressive elements, as the interior of a public space should be emotionally bright, unique and memorable, while the interior of residential spaces should be cozy, conducive to relaxation.

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

JL : That is undoubtedly the design of my own home)

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

JL : This is artistic vision and empathy. I manage to feel the client and realize the interior as a portrait of the owners or the DNA of the brand (if we are talking about public interiors), emphasizing the features and uniqueness

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

JL : I admire many architects, interior designers and furniture ones. Actually, there is not enough space to list them all. However, some of the most interesting for me are Patricia Urquiola, Vincent Van Duysen, Tadao Ando.

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

JL : I adore observing the creativity of other designers in general, to trace their development, their creative path. I can’t single out something specific, because everything deserves attention) For example, I like Patricia’s work so much that most often when I see new furniture and feel that this is something surprising and impressive for me, it turns out that the designer is exactly Patricia. The same thing happens with the interiors of Vincent.

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

JL : Truly speaking,I really love all the projects, each of them is very special, each one contains some elements that I'm really proud of. But I do believe that the most significant project will be still ahead.

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

JL : I would definitely recommend attending more exhibitions and traveling and communicating more both with colleagues and contractors (which implies learning new technologies), as well as just with ordinary people. Interiors are created for people and it is important to understand modern needs, the use of technology, but all this must be full of beauty, and for achieving this goal you need to improve your artistic level constantly.

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

JL : Undoubtedly, I would definitely be into painting.

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

JL : For me, the way I see it, design is a way to change reality, bring comfort, harmony and aesthetics to it. This is what makes the world more beautiful, and helps people experience positive emotions.

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

JL : Certainly, I have always been supported by my family and friends. Thank you very much for this one! I find it really crucial that they believe in you and support the most incredible ideas.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

JL : At the moment I'm on my way to it!

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

JL : The path is never easy. Everyone faces difficulties and by overcoming them we learn and grow professionally. Working with people in the service sector is always difficult, finding mutual understanding with customers, getting the team working, finding solutions to construction issues at a construction site - we go through all this all the time.

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

JL : Of course I can’t but agree, because this is what helps to find new customers, as well as share ideas and discoveries with colleagues. This is how we help the development of the design world.

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

JL : Now we are working on a collection of furniture, which is a really captivating process. We believe in the success of the project for sure!

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

JL : My ultimate goal in my view is to work all over the world on interesting projects, try new things and never stand still. Make the world more beautiful!

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

JL : I guess it would be better to ask them.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

JL : Design sets a certain order of things, systematizes, makes everything it touches not only more convenient, but also more beautiful. This even sets a certain level, below which no one wants to fall. Aesthetics united with technology is a vector of development of society as well as a way of thinking.

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

JL : At the moment we are working on a new showroom project, alongside we are also developing a furniture collection. All this against the backdrop of moving to another country, so the most interesting thing now I can call is the process of reconsidering the way I used to work before and how designers work in England. It's also exciting for me to observe the differences in cultures and how this is reflected in the design. We will find out later how it’s going to work, but this actually appears to be a very entertaining process.

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

JL : Thinking about it, I must say the best projects were those ones where the clients had complete confidence in us and our design expertise. This allows you to concentrate on the tasks of project release fully in the best possible way. And of course it is important that everyone on the construction site knows their stuff when everyone is cooperating to achieve the best result.

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

JL : Well, for me it seems to be of vital significance for all the designers to find and further on to stick to their own unique style, as still up to this moment we might observe quite a lot of similar designs lacking any individuality implemented by numerous designers all over the world, which I find rather dull and even mediocre.

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

JL : In my opinion, design will be aimed at simplifying complex and intricate shapes and materials, more attention will be paid to sustainability and recycling and care for the environment.

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

JL : It all depends on the type and size of the object. In our experience, we have implemented retail projects in 2 months, for example, if we are talking about a small apartment, it may take from six months to a year from the start of the design process to full implementation. Whereas, if it is a large house of 1000 sq.m. it will most probably take 2-3 years. Everything really depends on the construction team, funding, supplies of materials, and sometimes the political situation in the country.

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

JL : As a rule, I always start a new project by studying and understanding clients and their wishes, plunging into their inner world and philosophy to get the full picture of their lifestyle in order to be able to offer the most suitable version of the design.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

JL : That is trying to find something special in every single client, to notice the uniqueness of each of us.

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

JL : Truly speaking, I can’t say that I’m really keen on trends for some reasons. I do believe that the task of any designer is to create a design which is going to stay relevant for many years and make the client feel at home and happy inside it, as well as to keep it modern. So, answering the question,design sets the trends,however, at times trends might influence designers and in this way we could get a boring result which you will get fed up with rather quickly.

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

JL : When we design something, every time we use modern technologies, as they influence our life significantly and develop extremely fast,so we just must choose the right way to implement them in the projects.

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

JL : Typically, for rendering part we use 3D Max, SketchUp for drawing sketches, Revit-for drawings and Photoshop for processing the photos, as well as Team Gantt for managing all the processes during the design development.

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

JL : Well, these instruments are truly the most essential in making any design, as by the means of them we create various atmosphere for different goals, so, colours and materials are the tools that bring in the beauty, harmony and character to the space.

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

JL : I believe the best result for the designer is when people don’t have any questions about the design, but understand you without any words and feel the atmosphere fully at the first glance.

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

JL : Usually I tend to be so excited about any new great project that the first thing I wonder about is the question how all of these things came to the creator’s mind.

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

JL : Actually, I believe that the best partner for me must be a person who catches up all the accompanying processes, such as financing, promotion and all of such things, as this would certainly allow me to immerse myself into the creative process of design fully.

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

JL : I would say that the impact on the design directly depends on the impact on the worldview and passions, skills. If we are truly fascinated by something, it is reflected on the design and understanding of many things a lot. Therefore, my design is influenced by both clients and designers with whom I communicate, design objects that I meet during work or at exhibitions, and people who are not of their design, even nature affects the design and my worldview.

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

JL : I can't say that any books especially influenced my design. Perhaps at the very beginning of my journey, when I was still an architecture student, Kelly Hoppen's design books revealed to me many things that were not taught at the institute.

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

JL : Well,I try to follow the development of the industry by reading magazines, attending exhibitions and workshops, as well as communicating with colleagues and exchanging opinions. There is always room for development and something new. "You have to run to stand still" because everything is developing very rapidly.

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

JL : I would be really glad to meet Le Corbusier. His incredible designs are truly mesmerizing.

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

JL : Honestly,I do not treat this as a celebrity)) I am not a film star. Awards in our industry are more of a way to test yourself, to see if you are getting better or standing still. I am always for development and growth, and competitions help a lot in this.

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

JL : I love white. It is an association with a blank slate on which something can be depicted. My favorite time of the year is definitely spring) when it's not so hot, but it's already sunny, fresh leaves and flowers bloom and the mood becomes very uplifting, in anticipation of something new. My favorite brand is probably Celine, but I liked everything that was produced under the designer Phoebe Philo. Now she doesn't work with the brand and new objects do not fall so accurately into my heart.

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

JL : Coming to think of it, for one project in Minsk (Belarus), we needed an unusual lamp. We sent a request to the local salon where we used to buy lighting. After some time, I was traveling for work in Italy, so I was invited to a factory, which is engaged in the manufacture of bespoke lighting. I was curious if they could make such a lamp that we had already ordered in Minsk. And when I showed the drawings, the factory representative replied, "Yes, we have already made it, it's upstairs, we'll look at it now." It was amazing how small the world was. Minsk salon ordered this lamp in this factory! The lamp was made for us at this factory as a result, and we were able to see it and talk to those who made it.

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

JL : The best days are when, after the presentation of the concept, clients say that they really like everything that we have come up with. This is a wonderful feeling, it means that it was not in vain that you invested so much effort, it means that you were able to feel all you need very subtly.

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

JL : I was very fond of drawing and also loved mathematics and physics. One day, around the age of 10, I suggested rearranging all of the furniture in the room which I was sharing with my sister and I arranged everything in a very unusual way. I think if you add it all up, it becomes obvious that interior design has been in me since childhood.

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

JL : I’m afraid I am not the best predictor of the future. I prefer not to look that far. Live for today and try to do everything in the best way now.

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

JL : I LOVE MY WORK, NATURE AND ITALY :))) I think it's a short and very capacious answer.