Bogdanova Bureau

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Bogdanova Bureau ("BB") 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?

BB : In 2006 I graduated as a Designer of architectural environment, Kyiv National University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Kyiv, Ukraine. In 2007 together with Slava Balbek we had founded 2B Group, the company which had been one of the leaders of the Ukrainian interior design sphere. In 2018 we both found out that we want to develop into separate directions and launched two different design companies – Balbek Bureau and Bogdanova Bureau.

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

BB : When I was a child, my dad, who was an engineer, taught me how to use a soldering iron and insert motors into toy cars, bringing them back to life. I remember the first time I got into the shop at the plant, where they made some parts of amazing beauty. I remember metal shavings and a specific smell in the shop, I still really like it. All these childhood impressions influenced my life choice to become an architect.

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

BB : Bogdanova Bureau, with me in charge of it, specializes in residential architecture and interior design, product design, and art-direction.

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

BB : For me, the great designer of nowadays is a successful designer who cares about a trace he or she makes in our natural environment. It is not so difficult to create the project, but today you have to think about what is going to happen with it in 5-10-50 years.

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

BB : You fill good design by your intuition. It is timeless, rather minimalistic, and has nothing superfluous.

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

BB : It improves life quality. Good design does not always mean some expensive objects. Some convenient stationery, as well as kitchenware or garden supplies, could be well-designed and cost not a lot. Using there in everyday routine, you feel the difference. The next level is emotional contact with objects when you feel joy just by having a particular chair or a sofa in your living room. Such objects have an impact on your mood and feelings.

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

BB : I like the idea to realize some architectural and interior projects in China, as a country which has its own strong cultural traditions and highly appreciate elegant European design.

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

BB : Ukrainian Design Week. We had been working on it with some of my colleagues as its curators, but then we put the project on pause due to COVID pandemic.

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

BB : I like Elisa Ossino, the Italian designer who cooperates with Salvatori, Boffi, and other cool brands. Her unique aesthetical approach feels minimalistic and artistic at the same time. Athena Calderone, the designer and a stylist from the US inspires me a lot. She has a talent to present a regular object as it is a hero or superstar. I like her lifestyle. Also, I am a big fan of Nendo. Their Japanese minimalistic approach, together with endless creativity, admire me.

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

BB : I hope my greatest design is still somewhere in the future. But I would like to tell you about a significant one. I named this project Vin House. We completed it at the very end of 2019. It is a residential house for a family who decided to move out of the city to be closer to nature. The building is located in the Vinnytsia region of Ukraine on the bank of the Southern Bug river. The biggest challenge for us was the short term of a project. It took 11 months from the foundation pouring to moving the family into their new home.

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

BB : First of all, I get my inspiration from people. I communicate a lot with colleagues and friends who are product designers, architects, and artists. It is a strong and supportive professional community that shapes me as a professional. It is important to surround yourself with people together with whom you fill the energy of development and gratitude.

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

BB : You can feel a good design by your intuition. It is timeless, often minimalistic, and has nothing superfluous.

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

BB : My family is really supportive. Also, my team who are professionals and nice pals at the same time.

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

BB : We work on three new interiors projects from the wellness category and several residential projects of different dimensions.

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

BB : If we talk about our architectural and interior design projects, they include several steps. At the first meeting, we listen to what the client wants and propose them to dream big. We analyze the way the client’s living and habits to understand some hidden needs. Then we find the right direction in line with a client’s personality and take some time to design the project. Eventually, we bring a solution to the client and get to its implementation when it is approved. We pay a lot of attention to the idea of how a person or their family would spend their time in space, and speculate different scenarios from their everyday routine. We aim to design a space where its inhabitants would get visual and tactile joy from every usual process. Sometimes a client can not afford to buy all the furniture and décor we pick. In this case, after finishing the renovation, we create kind of a wish list for the client. We put there all pieces that would match the interior. So in some time a client could buy them or offer some relatives and friends to present something from the list as a birthday gift if it is appropriate.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

BB : Create a new story of living around our clients, not just pure design.

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

BB : I would like to make everyone pay attention to Ukrainian design, to how it is shaping and developing right now. It has its unique aesthetics which is closer to collectible design. Modern Ukrainian products have high quality and often use some elements of handicraft in it.