Interview with Vasil Velchev

Learning how to work with 3D CAD software was the real start of my design career because without this i had only ideas in my head.

First of all its the shape, the look. I don't want to have the technology constraints at the beginning. There is always a way even the most difficult item to be produced. For my product design i use bright and vivid colors. This is one of my ways to focus attention to the product. Also something very common in my designs is that logo and name is strongly connected with the product shape.

There are 2 exciting stages in the design process. First is developing an idea for something new and innovative and second - playing with the shape.

For me the most important thing is not the background, the education, the software skills. You just need creative mind and imagination. I am an Electrical engineer but i cannot say that this background helped me become product designer.

Started as a graphic designer now i am leading the team which becomes bigger every year. My dream is to have the muse to create something unique and recognizable. And to be produced as well. Like a car, piece of furniture or even a building.

Never give up, follow your imagination and use the negative comments to improve yourself.

When you have an idea always try to present it to the world in the best possible way.

First of all i am very happy to have these wonderful colleagues of mine. Every day starts with allocating tasks and after that comes the funny part because design is the most interesting job in the world :)

I am member of a lot of design groups. Daily newsletters inform me about the design trends. I cannot say that i am always following the trend though.

The good design should be useful. Otherwise it is just art.

I can say that my product is ready when i reach the point when i start to make it worse instead of improving it.

The most difficult products of mine were 2 ceramic products which are not 'just design' but have a lot of functionality.

Antoni Gaudi, Zaha Hadid, Le Corbusier, Philippe Starck, Marc Newson, Karim Rashid...

I like to travel a lot. Every location gives me something unique. Music is always with me of course. It helps you free your and focus your imagination on your idea.

During the designing process i always work alone. On different stages i am showing the progress to different people but their opinions don't affect my original course. For the process of creating the physical product i am looking for responsible and passionate people like me.

I think that the good design makes the life better. I have several environmental projects for my town that i would be happy to realize.

A’ Design Competition is the biggest in the world so this is the best way to see where you are. If you are lucky to win an award you have the opportunity to become really famous. I made a lot of friends and connections arond this competition.

When i have an idea and i find it interesting i want to share it.

Yes, I chose to become a designer. I think that you cannot be forced to do something that is related to art and creativity.

I prefer to work on Furniture projects but not only.

I think that i have a lot to do to become a legend but if i have to give an advice that would be: trust in yourself.

No matter if you are good or great designer you will always need a muse. But the great designer's work could be used as inspiration itself.

By its popularity and acceptance from the people.

Because good design is like a piece of art.

Time is never enough, yes. But if i have it i would like to try with a project for Automotive industry.

Design a whole city.

It won't be a secret if tell you.

I appreciate the work of all of my colleagues because i know that everyone of them have left a piece of themselves in their creations.

My favorite designs are those which are recognizable.

I like my furniture designs because i experiment with unusual shapes and attractive colors.

Try to design when you want, not when it's needed.

Definitely an astronaut.

The design is the first point of sensation when you see a product, the perfect harmony between shape and color, the ability to represent the true spirit and soul of the project through it's visual characteristics.

Family and friends.

I will answer when i am hundred percent sure that i am a great designer. I think i have a lot to do to become one.

I think that every artist is facing the same fears - is it my work a masterpiece or garbage.

Participating in contests is one of the best practices.

I will be scared if i know what i have to expect from myself. I want to surprise myself and then the audience.

To be world wide recognizable.

I cannot tell about the people but i want to say 'wow' when my next design idea hit me.

If you look good, you feel good....

Right now i am experimenting with various projects in order to see which one of them is good enough for further development.

The designs that are world wide recognizable makes me feel really satisfied

Stronger relationship between designers and manufacturers.

Only time will tell for sure.

For me a design is never completed. There is always something that could be improved.

Sketching, modeling, rendering ....

Break the boundaries.

I think it is too complicated. They are definitely related, but which one is first is more like a rhetorical question.

The new technology helps you very quick to give shape of your ideas and evaluate if its good or not.

Mostly software for 3D modeling, rendering, image processing and vector graphics.

These characters helps the design to become completed.

How the original idea of the design came up.

I am really enjoying it.

I don't actually. A business partner maybe, but not a co-designer.

I started as a Graphic Designer in a department full of CAD engineers. They were deeply involved in 3D modeling so i started to learn from them. Without their help creating my designs would be very difficult.

Books related to life perception.

By constant improvement, training, sharing experience.

Le Corbusier

It is never enough.

Sea blue, Switzerland, Sushi, Summer, Star Trek, Snickers

Several years ago due to some logistical problems i had to carry on foot one of my prototypes of a chair across the whole city of Milan.

Everyday i try to do these three things - to create something good, to meet (or call) an old friend and to have some time to relax.

I guess so.

I hope that in thousands years the designs we create now will be in the museums.

Thank you all for your support.

The name is MAGMA graphics. The objective is design in all existing forms.

The design is the first point of sensation when you see a product, the perfect harmony between shape and color, the ability to represent the true spirit and soul of the project through it's visual characteristics.

Product design of everything.

Designing furniture is my favorite. I cannot pick out just one, i love them all.

The first thing was a TV unit for a furniture company based in Turkey.

I prefer plastic or acrylic materials because of the various forms they can take.

When my mind is free.

I cannot say that i prefer or underestimate aspects, i want the product to be nice and eye catching and at the same time functional and ergonomic.

I feel happy.

More than happy.

To be recognized and to be used worldwide.

To be interesting as a shape and to be functional.

To serve both.

There are different patterns in design which repeat itself so probably the future will be based on something old but improved.

I would like to show my work on a worldwide stage.

Trips and music.

In every design no matter how different it is, if the designer is the same he always leave a specific feel in it. I guess my style is based on the smooth shapes and bright colors.

I live in Bulgaria, center of Balkans, crossroad between European and Asian influences, definitely this affects the mentality and thus creativity.

I am very happy when the client trust me more and leave me to do everything.

A good portfolio speaks for itself and the companies can choose easily. But at the same time its a good practice to work with young designer which are not so experienced.

The most important thing is the idea. Most of the time it comes as a lightning. The rest of the process is slow improvement of the main idea and the details.

Clock, wallet, basin, vase, shoes.

Everyday i try to do these three things - to create something good, to meet (or call) an old friend and to have some time to relax.

I cannot say that i'm an experienced designer so definitely i can use some advice. Based on my experience so far i can say that you need to search inspiration everywhere and not to be affraid to show your ideas nomatter how crazy they are.

I cannot think of anything negative.

Break the boundaries.

It is a gift, not a skill.

I use software for 3D modeling, then for visualization and last step is software for graphic design so i can put all together.

Time is never enough.

Time is a loose term in this case.

What will be my next creation.

Learning to use 3D modeling software.

Mostly furniture companies.

Product design.

Design a car, write a book, compose a song, who knows.

I prefer to work on my own, but i also have some projects involving other people.

I will be more than happy to show them on this competition next year.

My personal e-mail is - joymaker@abv.bg
My webpage is - www.magma-graphics.free.bg

Nothing to add, thanks for the interview.