We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Nikola Eftimov about their original and creative Illustration design work. Nikola Eftimov is an award-winning service designer, that makes our world a better place with their original illustration works.
Nikola Eftimov ("NE") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Buky Illustration. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
NE : At the beginning of 2024, after a few years of break, I returned to one of my inspirations: Glagolitic script. This time I started working on a street wear collection with prints based on the characters of this ancient scripture. While working on this collection, at the same time, I began design tests to apply the same design concept to different types of clothing. Being fascinated by the combination of traditional illustration approaches and the use of new technologies, I created a series of illustrations with a more elevated look.
NE : The main focus was to create a series of images with pronounced clarity of visual expression, simple design, obvious placement of inspiration, fascinating design play with modernity and tradition, etc.
NE : This digital artwork has already been placed in the home section of my personal website. The winning design also served as a catalyst for further design research in digital art and digital illustration, resulting in a new illustration series.
NE : From the first attempts to more stable results, it took me a few months to develop this concept. This process was accelerated by implementing my experiences in conventional visual art techniques, digital photography, fashion design and AI-based technology.
NE : I was just following my inspiration, but also wanted to create images for my personal design presentation.
NE : At the moment I have no plans to sell this particular design. As I mentioned earlier, it was created as part of my own design project.
NE : My fascination with the oldest Slavic script and its possible application to contemporary design pieces was a starting point for the creation of this work.
NE : No, this design is actually completely self-referential.
NE : While I was working on the larger series called Glagolitic Stories, I posted some of the designs on social media and my website. I was impressed that this concept fascinated a large and diverse population from different age groups and cultural and social backgrounds. When I started the project I was primarily thinking about younger people, but I realized that it is of interest to a wider audience.
NE : First and foremost it is the specific inspiration, but also the personal interpretation and combination of traditional art, fashion and technology.
NE : Buky (English: letters) is the second character in the Glagolitic script. I love its timeless, even contemporary-looking design.
NE : I started digitally sketching out initial ideas in Pixlr and later continued the work in Photoleap. After final selection of images, I completed editing in Adobe Photoshop.
NE : Its effortless look, based on several decades of experience in visual arts and fashion design.
NE : I was the only one involved in the design process of this project.
NE : Buky Illustration is a digital artwork, based on the use of editing software and AI-based applications.
NE : In addition to historical and stylistic research for inspiration, I spent several months tracking public reactions on my social media platforms to similar designs I had previously created. The encouraging results gave me the confidence to further develop this concept.
NE : Most of the challenges arose during the phases in which I used AI technology. I had to go through many stages of image creation until the results were optimal.
NE : I submitted my design to the competition at the suggestion of the president of the National Association of Artists
NE : The entire process was an enriching experience in terms of building design concept, working with different media, time management, making quick decisions, using design as a communication tool, etc.
NE : I am grateful for this experience, it was challenging, humbling and rewarding at the same time, a kind of mental gymnastics that ensures you stay fit and don't fall asleep.
