Interview with Luka Balic

I am self employed designer from Croatia, specialised in brand identity design. I help clients reach their goals by designing strong identity that compliments their business and makes impact on desired audience.

Design to me is closer to construction than to art, because design has a function to solve a certain problem in most efficient way, and do it with style. I think Saul Bass put it the best way: "Design is thinking made visual".

Logos. Logo is the face of the brand. It is brand's most visible, most recognizable and most durable visual. I see it as the biggest challenge in graphic design, therefore it's the most enjoyable one.

I started by designing posters for classical music concerts.

There is no rule, but it often happens that ideas wake me up in the middle of the night.

I focus most on the meaning and function. While developing ideas I often go back to the brief and ask myself: is it relevant?; does it communicate desired message to target audience?; can it be simpler?

Purposeful. I feel like a gear in a perfect mechanism.

Proud. I think it's amazing that we have the privilege to create something that was never created before. I am forever thankful for that.

Successful design fulfills it's purpose very well and does it with style.

Good design is always well thought out.

The same as for anyone else, to make this world a better place.

I think it's evolving technically, moving boundaries to how and where it can be applied. But the fact that it is purpose driven didn't change since designing a first wheel. There will always be a problem to solve.

Inspiration can come from anywhere. From anything I ever learned or experienced, and it doesn't need to be design related. At least not at first thought.

My goal is to adopt style that is most suitable for a particular business.

I live in Croatia which has great historical and cultural heritage. Living 15 minutes from castle, in Varazdin city established in 13th century, can be very motivating and inspiring.

Strong portfolio, awards won, professionalism and good support are the things I would advise companies to look for.

I go through the same phases with every design project. Here is my logo design process.
In the beginning, we form a project brief defining strategy and goals. Based on information received, I conduct research focused on the business itself, services it offers, and it's competitors. In sketching phase I explore and develope ideas on paper, while making sure that idea is unique and that it follows the brief. I choose only the strongest options and transfer them to computer for vectorizing, fine-tuning and creating presentation. Following client's review, I’ll either finalise the project, or make any revisions agreed upon. After that I deliver the logo design in all needed formats, along with logo usage guidlines and remain at client's disposal if they need assistance or advice about the way it should be used.

Pencils, paper, calligraphy pens, computer,

Just follow your heart. It's the only way to be in the right place, wherever you go.