VASSILIS SIAFARICAS

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer VASSILIS SIAFARICAS ("VS") 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?

VS : I have been designing for the last 20 years. I studied Civil Engineer in National Technical University of Athens

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

VS : I am trying to figure out what motivates me. Everything. It is something inner; it has no explanation. It's me. It had to be that way for some reason.

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

VS : Definitely I chose to become one

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

VS : Buildings and furniture.

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

VS : Believe in themselves

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

VS : Talent, experience, mentality

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

VS : Simplicity and functionality

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

VS : A good design is irreplaceable. Investing in good designs means investing in evolution

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

VS : A gift for my loved ones

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

VS : A luxury eco-friendly residential village

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

VS : Persistence, study, passion

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

VS : Le Corbusier, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Frank Lloyd Wright, Eileen Gray, Zaha Hadid and many more

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

VS : Barcelona chair Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Arco lamp Castiglioni. They match everywhere

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

VS : The Boomerang Athens. Design and Reconstruction of the first LEED GOLD building in Athens, Greece

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

VS : I am observing, listening, practicing.

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

VS : I would be only a developer

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

VS : Creation, passion, inner need

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

VS : Persistence, study, observation, passion

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

VS : The same obstacles everyone finds on their way to success

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

VS : Hire an advertising and pr agency

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

VS : A green apartment building in the center of Athens, in the most high-end area

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

VS : To satisfy my inner desires

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

VS : Probably you should ask them

DL: How does design help create a better society?

VS : Educating people to understand and acknowledge good design raises people's expectations for better designs, leading to a better society.

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

VS : A green apartment building in the center of Athens, in the most high-end area

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

VS : All of them at the time they were made

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

VS : Find more new talents and help them get recognized

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

VS : Depends on the project

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

VS : Design Develop Distinguish. The three Ds

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

VS : Design sets the trends if you are a good designer.

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

VS : Until now, less than it will be the next years