Interview with Ivan Krupin

Ivan Krupin ("IK") interviewed on Saturday, 12 July.

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?

IK : I have been drawing since childhood, then I studied at an art school, then at an art lyceum and then received a higher education (MA) at the Academy of Art and Design in Saint Petersburg. Later, as an experienced interior designer, I received additional training as a graphic designer in Sydney. In general, if you count, I have been working as a designer for 24 years and I don’t plan to stop yet. I started working as a designer in 2000, even before graduating from the Academy. After working for 7 years in different design studios, I started working independently as a freelancer and in 2018, together with my friend and partner, we founded our own design studio.

How did you become a designer?

IK : I can’t point out the moment when I decided to become a designer, because it didn’t exist, in general. I have been an artist and designer for as long as I can remember. I grew up in a creative environment: my grandparents were sculptors, my father and mother were designers, my twin brother is a graphic designer, and my sister is an artist. Of course, the example of my parents and sister inspired me to take this path, but I could not imagine anything else. Everything else, no matter how interested I was in something, was a hobby. My childhood was spent in my father's workshop, in museums and at exhibitions. The walls of my room with my brother were covered with white paper and updated annually. We painted whatever we wanted on the walls. We returned to the city after the holidays and the walls were white, and the album was replenished with new works cut from the walls.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

IK : The main aspects of design that I traditionally pay maximum attention to are concept, thoughtful details and technical feasibility. The beginning and end of the project is the concept, the main idea. It may be quite obvious or hidden, but I must know and understand it. Only this gives confidence in your actions from the sketch to the completion of construction. Attention to detail is what inspires me. This is a kind of code of bushido, which prescribes taking little things more seriously than big things. Thoughtful details create atmosphere and define the quality of design for me. The third important aspect is to know how to implement the project. Knowledge of technologies and capabilities, the ability to follow a budget without compromising the idea and emotional component of the project is a very important aspect. It’s not enough to invent it, you need to build it.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

IK : All stages of design are exciting in their own way. It is also possible to stall at any design phase. I could say that working on the concept is the most exciting and enjoyable, but working on the details and drawings is just as fun, polishing all the previously born ideas. Implementation is no less interesting and brings great satisfaction from the tangible results of your work. I have a parental feeling towards my projects. They are like children. They are interesting, instructive, and sometimes difficult. One of the most powerful feelings is when your child becomes independent and begins his own journey. This is both touching and sad at the same time. Finishing a project and starting its own life is similar to this process for me with children. You participated in his birth, were there all the time, were the main thing in his life and know him every centimeter, but the moment comes when it’s time to launch the ship. This is an emotion.

What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?

IK : All life shapes a person as a professional. All the books he read, the music he heard, the sunsets he saw. My approach to design is based on feelings and sensations. And my hobby as a musician helps me with this. Without imagination I could not be who I am. And when there is too much imagination, my experience as an athlete comes to the rescue. To harness your imagination and realize your ideas, you need perseverance, endurance and dedication. Creating something new, using all my resources and versatility of experience, embodying my ideas is the biggest motivation for me.

What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?

IK : Every creator has a dream of creation. As one wise man said, the only things better than mountains are mountains that you have never been to before. Isn’t conquering new heights the plan? The project of my place is a complex task. I would like to design a complete environment, starting with the landscape, developing the architecture and interior design and ending with the graphic part. Designing the entire product journey, creating a seamless perceptual atmosphere, is my dream job.

What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?

IK : My advice is to think more about ideas and their implementation, rather than about your career. Create each project as your only and last, gain experience in implementation, hone your approach, and learn without ceasing. Use all your knowledge to minimize compromises regarding the idea when implementing the project.Immerse yourself in all aspects of design and construction and this will help you avoid disappointments in the implementation of your projects. And success will come and it will be deserved.

You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?

IK : My respect to my colleagues. I would advise some professional designers not to forget that design is not a pure art, but a service sector that has room for creativity. Design for design's sake is no longer design, but art. Design is a function, it is an answer to a question and a solution to a problem, first of all. Another tip is to go with the original concept and idea, as opposed to decorating something on top. It's always noticeable. After all, it is the ability to create a concept, develop and implement it, answering all the customer’s requests in the final product that is professionalism.

What is your day to day look like?

IK : My day as a designer begins with meetings with clients, trips to construction sites and working with contractors, suppliers and manufacturers. Having completed these tasks, I devote the rest of the day to working on the project. I need a calm environment. to immerse myself in projects and at this moment I need solitude. I listen to music and work on the computer, surrounded by a pile of scribbled papers. Success makes me happy. A beautiful render or a solution found, a clear drawing with well-developed details - any progress in the work on the project brings satisfaction.

How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?

IK : Undoubtedly, I cannot close myself off from the world of design and a certain observation influences my feelings and ideas. It would be strange to deny this. But it affects me in the same way as classical architecture or the Egyptian pyramids. When searching for an idea, I most often try to clear my mind and capture a feeling that, thickening like fog, gradually takes shape. I like to see good design and it sticks in my memory as sensations, like sounds or smells, but I don’t identify trends in it. Fashionable color of the season? I don't know anything about it, to be honest, or about the prevailing style. There is a good design that catches the eye and gives rise to feelings, but what season the color scheme is and whether it is in trend - I don’t know. But I do know that good design creates trends on its own.

How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?

IK : From my point of view, good design creates emotions and feelings. This is something elusive, but in fact consisting of quite tangible things, such as an idea and its narrative, attention to detail, work with color and tone, gamma and materials. And, of course, functionality. Without functionality, any design is, again, just art. When I see a building, an object, an advertisement or use a product and it is pleasant, it gives emotions, it is convenient, it is thoughtful - this is good design. If, at the same time, the product solves problems and finds witty answers to questions, this is an excellent design.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

IK : In my main field of activity, it is very easy to divide readiness - this is when the object is commissioned and put into operation. Until this moment, the project is not finished and changes may be made; it lives on, despite all the careful preparation for construction. The idea can also strike during the construction phase, although I would like to say “stop, the project is ready” after preparing all the working drawings and complete sets. On top of that, in practice the deadlines are agreed upon with the customer, which does not allow you to hone your creation for years. Perhaps this is professionalism, when the word “stop, ready” is heard when needed.

What is your biggest design work?

IK : Let me philosophize and say - the best project is always ahead. As I said earlier, I treat my projects like children and I can’t separate one, because it would be unfair to others. By far the best projects are those where there is minimal customer intervention and maximum creative freedom. Moreover, “the biggest” does not always mean “the best”, because one line can say more than a thousand strokes, and writing one character requires no less skill, practice and effort than designing the Eiffel Tower. This is how I will try to modestly avoid a direct answer, besides, I cannot single out just one project. Currently I am working on several projects, including a restaurant, a couple of country houses and villas.

Who is your favourite designer?

IK : Since I am well acquainted with the history of art and the history of design, I am also familiar with the work of many famous designers. But I probably won’t be able to single out one or even two. I like the work of many designers, sculptors, architects and artists, so I can’t single out just one, just like I can’t pick a favorite musician, director or athlete. I wish I could talk to Leonardo Da Vinci.

Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?

IK : My favorite city is my hometown - St. Petersburg. It was built by order of Peter the Great from scratch. Its construction was carried out by the best Italian architects of the 18th century. It was a kind of experiment, later implemented in the same way with the capital of Brazil. Despite being a northern city shrouded in spleen, it is an example of classical architecture and, later, northern modernism. Music is an integral part of my creative process. Everything that gives rise to emotions and sensations is part of this process. Music also teaches how to create emotional shades by changing or adding one note to the usual scale, how to create a mood at intervals. I currently live and work in Thailand, and before that I lived in Australia for several years. I am sure that design is necessary for society, as it not only creates harmony and beauty, but also serves functionality and, which is important in our time, sustainability and care for nature. Design guides people, makes life more convenient, and instills taste. Thanks to design, I make my life and my family’s life a little more beautiful and comfortable every day. I'm currently working on several projects. This is the interior design of villas in Phuket, a restaurant in Kazakhstan and a country house in Russia.

Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?

IK : Working with a partner for me is an opportunity to share ideas and discuss them, which allows me to evaluate ideas from the outside. Working as a team allows you to concentrate the efforts of each team member on one thing, which allows you to work more efficiently. Is it easy to work with me? Yes and no. It’s easy because I’m kind of a workaholic and will always pick up what falls from my partner’s hands. The difficulty is that I am often in search and doubt, while being, in a certain sense, a perfectionist. I often question decisions and try to prevent problems, which can irritate my partner. It’s easy for clients to work with me, because I’m sociable and I always try to present my work as fully as possible and explain all the nuances, look for the most rational solutions in terms of budget, etc. My clients most often become my friends by the end of the project. I don't like the stiff formality of a white collar. My work philosophy is - don't be a hack. Work as if this is the last and only project in your life. And be polite.

What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?

IK : I give back to society by creating something that society uses. I am not someone who is constantly chasing money and often does things for free. This could be advice or help with layouts, selection of materials, colors, furniture, etc., but usually not a complete project. I respect volunteers and do this myself when I have the time and opportunity. Not long ago I volunteered at an outdoor sculpture exhibition in Sydney, for example.

What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?

IK : Participation in competitions, especially of this scale, brings undeniable benefits. This includes joining the global community of professionals and increasing one’s self-confidence. Confidence in the value of their work is something that creative people often lack. In addition, participation and a prize place confirm to potential customers that you are a professional and can cope with the tasks. It can also help you get noticed, which can lead you not only to a new place or to new projects, but also to career growth. You may be asked to write an article or be part of a judging panel for other competitions. All this can directly affect your professional growth, recognition and, as a result, open the way to more interesting and meaningful projects. Participating in the A'DESIGN AWARD gave me a lot of emotions, because when your work is recognized, it is very valuable. The entire process was very professional and the packages provided are amazing. I really hope that this can have a positive impact on my professional activities. To be the designer of the day is a joy and an honor for me, of course. Being recognized and having the opportunity to talk about yourself and your work is priceless.

Ivan Krupin Profile