by

---

DI: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?

: The main idea behind this project was to create a chair that fits well in the modern interior with its clean shape and clear function.

DI: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?

: I wanted to achieve a sense of calm and harmony by use of clear geometry in the chair appearance. The design language of this model, contributes the reduce of the visual noise in the modern interior environment.

DI: What are your future plans for this award winning design?

: The model is already in production. This is a sturdy and comfortable chair. I plan to develop a version of the same design for outdoor use.

DI: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?

: It took me just a moment to invent it, 1 hour to model it, 1 hour to make the constructive documentation, 1 hour to visualize it and a few hours to produce the 3D animation.

DI: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?

: This project is a part of my work with some well known Bulgarian furniture companies. Thus it is true that the initial impetus to create this product comes from a specific assignment.

DI: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?

: The Exo chair is entirely my own intellectual property. It is produced by a Bulgarian company to which I have granted the right of production. The sales of this model are both operated by my brand and my manufacturer. Any interested company can order the design of its new products in my studio. But at this stage, we do not plan to transfer the production rights of this model to third parties.

DI: What made you design this particular type of work?

: I create many things at the same time. But I can not deny the fact, that I am particularly involved of the furniture design. Every day I sketch up of a few new ideas. For me this is a natural process and the Exo project is not an exception of it.

DI: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?

: There is no such. I got the idea suddenly in my head.

DI: Who is the target customer for his design?

: The target group of potential users is a broad wide. It includes people who would want to complement the interior of their home, office, hotel, conference room or restaurant with unique design furniture. This is a modern chair. The options of choosing color combinations of high-quality upholsters are almost unlimited.

DI: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?

: Perhaps in the first place is the shape itself. The chair contains a completely finished geometry, easy to remember. The comfort, dimensions and the overall design are perfectly balanced.

DI: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?

: When this design was born, came the name as well. The name “Exo” comes from Greek, meaning “outside”, "out". The shape of the chair is clean. But overall, it's design goes out of the template, suggesting a different point of view, reminds of the existence of something beyond the horizon.

DI: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?

: I sketch a lot every day. This project was born first as a sketch on my tablet. Then I used different tools to make it a real product. A robotic cutting machine made the first form of the prototype.

DI: What is the most unique aspect of your design?

: The complete and balanced geometry of the design.

DI: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?

: I love to be in the workshop. It gives me experience and knowledge. When I create a new product, I participate in the engineering part. So with my subcontractors in furniture factories we speak in a common language and we get along well.

DI: What is the role of technology in this particular design?

: I stuck on the widely used technologies in the furniture industry. The main idea behind this project, was to create an affordable and steady chair with a different look. Technological complications and growing the cost of the end product were not desired.

DI: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?

: There was no specific prior study and analysis. The idea of this product came suddenly in my mind. Most of my ideas are of this type. If we talk about the subject itself, there was only one task in front of me. To create an unique multi-purpose chair, suitable for mass production as well.

DI: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?

: I had no any specific troubles to design and realizate my project. This is a very suitable product for a large scale production. It takes full account of the problems and requirements of the industry, while preserving its uniqueness as a design.

DI: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?

: There was no need to decide anything. The moment I created this design, I realized the application and the benefits of the idea. The choice of a prestigious international competition on which to present my project was a logical decision.

DI: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?

: I have the necessary skills and experience. This project is yet another successful fragment of my 23 year career as an industrial designer. I am confident I must continue to work this way.

DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?

: Thanks for your time and the attention. The best of me is yet to come.