Deborah Avila

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Deborah Avila ("DA") 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?

DA : I have a bachelor's degree in Graphic Design from 2010, but before graduating, I had worked in the field since 2007. My first job was at a print shop, creating all sorts of stamps for t-shirts. I never stopped working as a Graphic Designer.

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

DA : I've been drawing since a little baby. As a child, I started drawing ads for products as a hobby, inventing all sorts of campaigns. I used to draw comic books and sell them in my school. When I was 17, I started my Graphic Design bachelor's degree at a University, and since then, I never stopped working in this field. I believe this shows that Design has always been on my mind, since I was a child.

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

DA : I was applying for History school when I was 17 years old. My father told me to search for other options, since I have been drawing since birth. Then, he sat next to me on the computer and helped me find a new course, and he found it: a new course was starting at the closest University in our town. He said: “This is Graphic Design. Do you know what it is?”, and I didn’t. I didn’t have a clue of what it was. He said: “Look at the pictures. Some people are drawing. You like to draw, don’t you?”, and I answered yes. I applied for this course without even knowing what a designer does. And here I am, after 15 years working as a designer, as happy as anyone could be.

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

DA : The area of Design I have been working more lately is UI/UX Design. I wish I could be working on UI/UX Design for games, though. I love the gaming experience and I'd love to learn more about this field.

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

DA : Learn English as a second language if they're not native speakers. Study all about the latest trends, and all they can about the History of Art. When starting to work, never become hard or difficult with their team, be always flexible, and be careful with complaints. Remember that the more you work and produce, the more you learn and surpass all the obstacles ahead.

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

DA : A great designer is always one step ahead with more knowledge, experience, and, especially, more flexibility. A great designer can overcome frustrations, difficult obstacles, hard clients, and so on. It is someone who never refuses a challenge - on the contrary, it gets them even more motivated.

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

DA : A successful design is one that can be used, no matter by who. It is easy to understand, simple, fast, and meaningful. It is also that one where you can see you’ve earned experience to keep going, advancing in your skills.

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

DA : A good design prioritizes the needs and expectations of users, resulting in an enhanced user experience. It can help businesses stand out. A good design can establish credibility and professionalism in a brand.

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

DA : I would design for the A' Design Award & Competition website. I love this award and think their website could be even better with my help.

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

DA : I wish I could have more time to design mobile aesthetic games.

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

DA : I think my secret ingredient would be persistence. I never stop, never give up. If I have to work until 4 am, I will, and I will not complain because it adds value and experience for me.

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

DA : I love the art from Os Gemeos. It's impressive how one of the brothers starts creating a drawing and the other one continues, and they finish together. The colors, the style, it's all magical and beautiful.

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

DA : Ron Muek's sculptures are perfect, in my opinion. I can't pick a favorite. They're all incredible. The hyperrealism in his pieces is impressive, and I didn't find any other artist achieving this kind of realism yet.

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

DA : I would say it is the Black Beans brand design I worked and it earned me the A' Design Award & Competition silver prize. Not because it was rewarded but because the clients highly accepted it. They loved it and are proud of their new brand, showing the world what they have now. I am very honored and proud of that.

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

DA : I started as someone who didn’t even know what design was, to someone who can’t live without design. I started very young and worked for several companies, having some difficult bosses and great ones. I can’t even count the time I spent working all night to deliver the best design I could to the clients. All this experience taught me everything I needed to be a successful designer now. For people to improve, they need to love their careers, and do everything to learn and become the best they can.

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

DA : I would have become an Archaeologist. I would study old things instead of new trends, as I do now.

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

DA : Design is everything you see, touch, and taste. It can be the chair you're sitting on, the beautiful garden in your neighborhood, or the tasteful dish you probe. It can be everywhere, as you walk the streets and see many different things. That's what "design" means to me: everything.

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

DA : I had a friend once, a long time ago. She motivated me, helped me when I was feeling down about my work, and most importantly, she believed in me. She continues to believe, I suppose, although, unfortunately, we lost contact.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

DA : Having patience and perseverance at moments when I needed them most.

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

DA : I couldn't choose my clients or the companies I wanted to work for. Many companies didn't believe in Design and wouldn't give it the value it needed.

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

DA : For all the work you get to do, you have to be at your best in the presentation. The most important presentation is the pitch you'll give to defend your project, ideas, and decisions, and it must come with a beautiful and impressive design. You have the power to sell your work, your idea, and the best way is to present it with a nice and eloquent design presentation.

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

DA : I have been art-directing a few apps and games for did.lu, and we are developing the craziest ideas possible.

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

DA : I design to help people have the best experience while using a product. I aim to become the best designer I can be for the users and clients, so my work can reach different cultures without issues.

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

DA : People expect excellence from me. Fast deliveries, perfect communication, impressive quality, and the best solutions for their problems.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

DA : Design thinking encourages a human-centered approach to problem-solving. By empathizing with people's needs and experiences, designers can develop innovative solutions to complex societal problems. Also, a good design strives to make products, services, and spaces accessible and inclusive for all individuals, regardless of their abilities, backgrounds, or demographics.

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

DA : I am currently a Senior UI/UX Designer for Soulbound.gg. It is a game platform that enhances gamers' reputation across the web. I love their Japanese cyberpunk style, and creating artwork for them has been thrilling.

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

DA : A while ago, I used to work for Panini Comics, a publisher from Italy that mostly works with names such as Marvel, DC, and Vertigo. I was a Digital Designer then and used to create several campaigns for their new comics releases. Seeing my work displayed at the Comic Con Experience in São Paulo, Brazil, greatly satisfied me, since it is an incredible pop culture convention.

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

DA : I would like to see the companies understand more about design and give its deserved value. Designers are not always valued, and suffers greatly before achieving their success.

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

DA : It is walking towards the high technology companies have been inventing. New user experiences are being invented, and new forms of working and solving problems are being developed. Design is going to play a crucial role in all of it.

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

DA : It depends on the project. If it is a brand project, it can be in two days or a week. I am known to be very fast during my work, since I've trained myself for that for many years.

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

DA : I start with searching for references for what the client need. Then, I start to sketch some ideas and finish the work afterward.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

DA : Be as fast and highly productive as I can be.

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

DA : The relationship between design and trends is often symbiotic, with each influencing and responding to the other.

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

DA : It is the basis of my designs. I am walking among the newest technologies and trends possible.

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

DA : I always use Figma and Adobe Creative Collection software, such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. These four softwares are the most important ones for my career. I also use all the Apple equipment.

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

DA : Color has a profound impact on human perception, emotion, and behavior. In design, color choices can evoke specific moods, create visual hierarchy, convey meaning, and enhance communication. The choice of materials can impact the perceived quality, durability, and functionality of a product or space. Also, designing with ambient factors in mind is crucial for creating immersive, comfortable, and functional experiences. Lighting design, for example, can enhance visibility, create focal points, set moods, and improve safety.

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

DA : "How long did it take to get to the results?". They would be amazed at how fast I can be when designing quality pieces that many would think got me a week, when I only spent a couple of hours.

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

DA : I think about how technology and new products are coming to make everyone's life better. I am thrilled to be part of a world where we have people always thinking of how to make things easier.

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

DA : My ideal design partner is someone who can give the work the same excellence and priority as I give.

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

DA : It was around 14 years ago, at a very small company of one man. I had a boss called Daniel Rothier. He taught me how to create websites and also taught me how to be very fast during my work. I will never forget it. He style of modern art, using lights, textures, and effects, influences me until this day.

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

DA : The New Typography Weimar and Now, from 1928. It's an excellent read for all those who love typography and the history of things.

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

DA : Patience and tolerance with critiques. During a designer’s career, they won’t hear only good things. It’s more likely they’ll get more critiques and will have to redo an entire work if they must. But this is all experience and fuel the designer can use to achieve even more success in their career.

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

DA : I would love to meet my favorite painter: Caravaggio. I would talk to him for hours to understand his techniques, using such a well contrast, the perfect anatomy, and the balance of bright and dark.

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

DA : I don't feel different at all. I am still the same designer as I've been for 15 years, still studying, still working very hard, and giving my best to work.

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

DA : My favorite color is teal. So beautiful and matches so many other colors. My favorite place is in the woods, next to the waterfalls. My favorite food is carrot cake. My favorite season is winter. My favorite thing is my MacBook, and my favorite brand is, of course, Apple.

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

DA : Once, a clothes company asked me to create their logo with a hidden "666" message. The client said he was a satanic person. I was very scared but needed the money - and I never refused work, even now. So I created his logo with the numbers hidden in a way that only if you pay attention, you'd see it.

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

DA : When I wake up early and turn on my computer to start working, it’s all very quiet, and I can only hear the birds' songs at the beach. It gives me all the creativity I need.

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

DA : Yes. I've been drawing since childhood, and not just normal illustrations. When I was around 10, I used to create advertising for products I invented. I used to create the product's package design, its labels, and its advertising of it.

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

DA : I suppose we will be exploring other worlds. We will meet new species. We will build new ways of making our lives easier. No more cables, less bureaucratic solutions.

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

DA : I’d say to have patience and be persistent. If you find a bump in the road, don’t give up - use it as fuel to earn more experience and learn more about your trade. Work as hard as possible to earn all the success you need in your career, and never stop learning new things.