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Interview with Elena Zaznobina

While selecting furniture for interiors of other designers and knowing the technical capabilities of manufacturers of factories, she have accumulated a lot of ideas that she wants to bring to…

Design Legend Interview

16 May 2022

My first education was a construction university, but in economic specialization. Education in the school of design DETALI was a turning point. Prior to that, for many years I worked with interiors of other architects and designers as a furniture consultant. This is an invaluable experience for me, which, of course, influenced my vision of objects.

We change the interior, the interior changes us. By changing the conditions of life, including its aesthetic side, it is possible to change the mood of a person and his attitude to the world. Beauty on the outside makes us better on the inside..

Already during my studies at the construction university I already worked with furniture .. And I like it)). The most difficult was to believe in yourself.

Of course, I am interested in the integrated design of the interior and exterior of a private house. But a special passion - small soft objects. Armchairs, pouffes. These small accents allow you to give character to even the most neutral interior.

Try, try and try again! Draw sketches, think over the details, try to make prototypes! Even the smallest movement is a step towards making your dream come true!

A good designer has everything thought out, calculated to the smallest detail, and the amount of work done is immediately visible. The ingenious design seems so simple and easy - you wonder how I didn't think of it before!

Good design is what makes you stop and makes you want to consider what makes you sincere emotions.

In a world of globalization, a mass product is inevitable. But let it be quality, in terms of design, items. After all, design affects the mood and condition of each of us, even if we do not notice it.

I think the coolest thing would be to create the interior of the first living module on the Moon or Mars.

Winter garden in the house .. But I hope to work on it!

Fresh, bright emotions.. Usually from travel. It is an irreplaceable source of inspiration. And a lot of free time, which happens not often))) The opportunity to think alone is one of the most valuable moments for a designer.

Gio Ponti, Edward Wormley, Karl Springer.

Irakli Zaria projects dawn fascinate me with aesthetics and fine presentation of style.

Возможно, это мой стол Фиорд. Мне нравится его простота формы и функциональности.

Education is essential, and I don't just mean college or design school, a course at a university. Any information from completely different areas can play a decisive role in the development of the model. It can be a new material, or a technology, or an amazing finishing material, or an old technology that gave you an idea.. Learn everywhere, not only within the walls of educational institutions. Learn from the best in their field, from passionate professionals.

I do not see myself in another area ... Perhaps it would be work with a fabrics ..

Something that can resonate, evoke emotion, change behavior ... Perhaps so

Victoria Markina, my support, my fellow student, my colleague and also, like me, mother of three children)))

For me, the impetus was, of course, training in Design School DETAILS. If you feel a craving for design - give yourself a chance to try, and understand, is this really what you want to do? If yes - you will succeed!

You may not be able to draw well, you may not be able to draw well, but if you feel you can carry beauty .. The main thing is to believe in yourself, in your ideas and inspiration!

The work should speak for itself, evoke emotions and not require decoding. But it is important not to be shy to show your ideas and their implementation.

At the moment I am creating a line of upholstered furniture that I plan to launch under my own brand.

Make this world even more interesting and beautiful.

New projects?) I think that any designer is expected to have new, fresh ideas and a small miracle. Opportunities to be surprised, smile ..

The designer creates objects and interiors not only for the customer now, but also the prerequisites for its development in the future. It is no secret that the environment greatly affects our emotional state. It is in the power of designers to make it emotionally comfortable not only for the elite.

At the moment I am developing my own collection of upholstered furniture. I would like to achieve originality and convenience of models at their affordable cost. And it is not easy if you use only high-quality materials.

Some models are born in one breath. And it's wonderful. One of my favorites is the Simple Mouse table lamp, which won silver at the IDA 2020 competition.

I would like to get away from faceless streaming things. The results of the competition show that they have something to replace).

Certainly in the direction of new materials and new technical capabilities in this regard.

Depends on the object .. Object design from two to four months.

Certainly with communication with the customer. You make this object for him. First of all, you must understand his lifestyle, his daily habits, inclinations, desires and dreams .. And then just embody them)

Try it!This is the best thing you can do in your life. Try everything that interests you!

When the designer comes up with the idea of ​​a new item, the last thing he thinks about is trends. The trend is only picked up by others a good design move or decision, no matter in form, material or style ...

The role of technology is very high in our time, it allows you to implement more ambitious projects

At first there is always a pencil and paper ..

These are its integral parts.

I want people not to ask about my design, but to live with it))

How did it come to their mind ???

Yes, it is a reality, there is a wonderful symbiosis, we all see it. In a pair of important successful addition to each other.

Juan Pablo Molino, Irakli Zaria

It would be interesting to talk to Gio Ponti.

Recognition and evaluation is very important for creative professions, it allows you to believe in yourself and unfold your wings.

Blu, seaside of Italy, fish, summer, pencil, Cassina.

It can be any time - a good movie, a bird, a blooming apple tree, a retro car .. All that gives emotions

I liked to rearrange the furniture in my room often, maybe it was a sign?

Everything will be even more interesting.

Designer Interview

15 January 2026

The rearrangement of furniture, changes in the environment have fascinated me since childhood. When you can change the space, and the space in turn can change you, creating your mood ..

My company is engaged in a comprehensive selection of everything necessary for interiors. Working with furniture for more than 20 years, I increasingly appreciate special interior items that are created for a specific project and carry their own character and mood. I have been doing product design for several years. The first models were created for my thesis at the DETALI design school.
I plan to launch my own line of upholstered furniture.

The design concept is very broad .. For me, this is rather the embodiment of a certain story, plot through the form, colors and textures.

I am interested in completely different objects and interiors, different styles, from different eras. These are the Italian palazzo and the boldness of the 60s and the technological modern interpretations of ordinary objects.

At the moment my favorite design is of course the ValenOK/ armchair. A symbiosis of traditional and modern furniture.

Wardrobe Pont was my first attempt at object design.

Wood and leather are perhaps my favorite material, but I treat metal and natural stone very respectfully.

Ideas are born by themselves, when there is history behind the interior or piece of furniture, there is a concept. Nature is the main, inexhaustible source of inspiration.

In addition to form, color and texture, the subject must have character and mood. It seems to me that it is the mood that creates the piece of furniture around it that is the key moment.

It happens in different ways, something is born instantly, you return to some details time after time, bringing to perfection. Rather, it is enthusiastic and focused

This is a fantastic feeling when your idea becomes material and begins to live its life .. something unreal ...

An interesting idea, highlight and high quality of execution, is 90% of the success of your design ... But there are 10% that can be charisma, the design should bring a positive into our life. I think this is the secret of success.

Originality (in the good sense of the word), the freshness of the idea and the quality of detailing.

The designer should listen to the mood and demands of society. With a high pace of life and interior should be more functional and transformable, without losing the aesthetic component.

New materials and technologies offer great opportunities in the field of design. And yet natural materials and handicraft will always appreciate me very highly.

Nature is the best, inexhaustible source of inspiration. And certainly knowledge of the history of design and art history. After all, any subject or mood can serve as a source of inspiration for your work ...

While I try myself in different directions and do not limit myself to one style .. It is important to constantly try something new!

live in Russia. It is a multi-national country with a rich cultural heritage, which of course influences the design. It is great to see when designers use techniques and materials of national crafts. In such cases, a unique, distinctive design is born.

I haven’t worked yet, but I’m glad to have offers of cooperation

The right choice is when the design does not leave you indifferent ... It may or may not be pleasant, but definitely not cause boredom.

90% - these are ideas and sketches .. and another 190% - the study of the construct for the possibility of bringing everything planned to life.

My day begins at 6.45. In 8.30 I already in the office I have a couple of hours for creativity, I can read deferred articles, to see the latest design of the publication, work on new models. From 10 hours before 19, my main job is the set of objects. My team is beautiful and usually it's very fun ... Evening if there is no hiking in the theater or an interesting event - giving a family to me. I have three children and always there to talk about.

Try, try again, listen to criticism and advice, deduce the conclusions and try again. But! Listen to your intuition ...

Make, set aside ... Wait and remove the excess.

Perhaps this is the ability to feel the needs and dreams of the customer ... And of course the ability to embody them

Time is sorely lacking. The only opportunity is to prioritize, decide what is more important to you at the current moment.

Usually this is from 1 to 6 months of sketches and detailing. The development of an industrial design or prototype can take up to a year.

How did it occur to you?

Perhaps my thesis was the most crucial moment. I wanted to embody all the ideas, show all the options, this is the most common mistake of novice designers))) I had to restrain myself ..

Most of all I like the elaboration of the concept, the birth of the project idea .. The selection of objects, colors and textures is great! But nothing compares to the birth of a cool idea ...

In the near future, work on a new house, a large, classic house with a garden (this will be my first experience in landscape design). And a few items in addition to Pont wardrobe.

I am a loner .. I prefer to work alone ..

There is a saying - they don’t show half the work ... Let's talk when everything is ready

My mail is always available lz-interiors@mail.ru
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