“My Dream Project Would Be to Design Typography Sculptures”
An Interview with Czech Graphic Designer Petra Bláhová
Petra Bláhová is a young graphic designer from the Czech Republic but currently based in the UK. Her passion for typography comes naturally but every project she works on shows pure professionalism. I’ve asked Petra about the Czech and British design as well as her career, style and plans for the future.
When did you decide to become a graphic designer/illustrator?
I decided to study graphic design when I lived in Belfast. I didn’t get into the art university in Prague so I moved to Northern Ireland. I had been trained in jewellery making so I wanted to continue with it but after thinking about finding a job in that area I decided that graphic design would be better for me. I loved combining different media and experimenting, and I thought graphics would be the best solution to find a job after finishing uni. After lots of research I thought studying in the UK would better then studying in the Czech Republic. Also, I would never be able to study in the Czech Republic because there are not so many places to study and there isn’t enough opportunity to everyone to study.
What do you consider the most important lesson you have learnt during your education?
Work hard.
Which one is better: the British or the Czech design? Can we actually say that one design is better than the other?
I haven’t been living in the Czech Republic for 7 years so I can only say my option from what I observed so far. I think it depends on what part of design you are looking at. I think contemporary graphic design is better in the UK because it has had more time to develop and advertising has existed in the UK much longer than in the Czech Republic (because of the communist regime). Czech illustration has long history and craft to it by using linocuts, screen-printing and mix media, and that’s what I love about Czech design.
You like experimenting with typography a lot. Where does your passion for typography and patterns come from?
To be honest, I’m not sure. I have always loved doodling since I was a kid, but I have never been into typography so I suppose it comes naturally.
You’ve created a typeface that is based on architectural elements. What would you name the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome during the design process?
I created this typography when I was at the uni and I don’t think I thought of it very deeply. I just wanted to catch the feeling of different material by using colour and shapes. I would probably do it slightly different now.
Are you planning to design more typefaces?
I will always design more typefaces but when I’m not sure. It depends on when the idea strikes me.
You work on a very large scale regarding techniques, style or material. What factors influence the design of a particular project?
The brief itself. Each brief should be treated differently because they require different solutions. And, of course, it depends on whether the brief includes graphic design or illustration. If it’s illustration I probably have a similar style but for graphics I can do anything.
I suppose you don’t have to wait for inspiration, but how and where do you find inspiration exactly?
I find inspiration everywhere. I know it sounds a bit vague but you can get inspiration from anything.
You state on your website that you love taking on challenges and keeping yourself busy. Haven’t you ever felt incredibly overwhelmed because of being that active? Do you have a special method to avoid that unpleasant feeling perhaps?
Of course, I have. I don’t have a specific method I just take a brake. I usually watch a movie and fall a sleep.
Your works testify that you are — to a large extent — socially responsible. Your projects such as Indigo Child, Drop by Drop or the logo for the RiverSide Trust are excellent examples of that. Why do you think design is a useful and good tool to inform and/or educate people? Aren’t you afraid that the meaning loses its importance because of the astonishing design?
If something is visually pleasing you are more likely to look at it and pay attention to it. Infographics is the best example; if you combine illustration with typography you create a graphic that is aesthetically pleasing and interactive, and therefore, it’s easier to read it than a massive paragraph of text. It’s been proven by few scientists that people are capable of remembering things more that are based on visual details. And if the message gets lost in the graphic, it means the graphic designer hasn’t done her/his job properly.
You often come up ideas while having the younger generation, especially children in mind, and you also love collecting beautiful books. Have you ever thought of designing / illustrating children’s books?
I have actually designed a children’s book called Cakpuss recently. I love working on children’s books because they are so open to imagination.
What would be your dream project if I may ask?
My dream project would be to design typography sculptures using metal and welding. As mentioned before I have been trained in jewellery making, and I miss working with metal so it would be a dream job to combine both passions. Something like Sagmeister or Why Not Associates do.
What are you working on right now?
At the moment I’m working on a hand-printed book called Czechmate. It’s about Czech traditions and sayings. I’m using linocut for the whole book and it will be a limited edition. As a full-time graphic designer I spend endless hours on computer so I’ve fancied working on something that does not involve computer at all, and I love print.
What are your plans?
Probably, as every designer, to open a studio. I would love to have my own print workshop and I would like to learn more about print techniques because it fascinates me. Let’s wait and see what the future has to offer!
