Vasil Velchev

About Vasil Velchev

Graduated as a master of electrical engineering Vasil Velchev actually have more than 10 years of experience as a graphic designer in an international company. At the beginning product design was more like a hobby, but after some worldwide publications and awards he started to believes more in his ideas. Several years ago he started a project called MAGMA which have the purpose to collect all of his creations under one roof. The name was choosen on purpose. It tries to describe the designer's feeling about the original idea that stays at the begining of every project, to wit: it have to be always in 'liquid' form, to be transformed constantly in order to see every form it could take, to be kept alive till the idea became a solid product.

Winner of 10 A' Design Awards.
Very Good in Design.
Original Design.
Highly Creative, Diligent and Innovative.

Interview with Vasil Velchev

Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?

I started as a Graphic Designer in a department full of CAD engineers. That was almost 10 years ago. All of my colleagues were deeply involved in 3D modeling so i started to learn from them. My graphic skills in combination with the modeling gave me a very good base to start giving shape to my ideas.

Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?

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

What is "design" for you?

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.

What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?

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

What was the first thing you designed for a company?

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

What is your favorite material / platform / technology?

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

Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?

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.

How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?

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

How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?

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.

Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?

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

How do you work with companies?

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

What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?

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.

Can you talk a little about your design process?

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.

Can you describe a day in your life?

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.

Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?

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.

Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?

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

Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?

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

Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?

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

How can people contact you?

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

Designer of the Day Interview with Vasil Velchev

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

After 12 years of experience as a Graphic designer now i am leading the team. 8 years ago i published my first product design.

How did you become a designer?

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.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

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.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

What is your day to day look like?

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 :)

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

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.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

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

What is your biggest design work?

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

Who is your favourite designer?

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Extended Interview with Vasil Velchev

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

After my graduation from the University as a Master of Electrical Engineering i realized that i want to do something else. I worked some time as Electrical engineer but i wanted to do something more creative, to work with colors and shapes. Eleven years ago i started as a Graphic designer and later proceeded with the Product design.

How did you become a designer?

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

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

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

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

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.

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

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.

What is your day to day look like?

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

How do you decide if your design is ready?

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.