Petar Zaharinov is the Designer and co-founder of Praktrik, a Bulgarian design studio based on the practicality of design, as well as novel design elements. Petar designs furniture using burr puzzles as inspiration for his work, hence why his furniture looks so intriguing and mystical. They are designed to stimulate people intellectually, generally designed using interlocking wooden pieces. Petar is constantly adapting his designs and developing new puzzle structures. So we are happy to bring you the Designer Insights of Petar Zaharinov.
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1) In your own words describe your unique style and creative aesthetic?
I am focused on designs that look impossible but after applying some little trick they become possible. I also search for solutions where structure, function, and aesthetics are all one.
2) When starting a new project, what is your creative process?
I first invent an abstract principle and visualize it with a symmetrical scale model, than I search for possible applications. It is actually upside-down the typical design process.
3) Out of the creative people you have worked with, who is it that you respect and admire the most?
People that do things with Causa, not only for profit. People that go out of their comfort zone and explore new territories and are ready to pay the price for it. They can be found in many different fields: politics, entrepreneurship, art, science etc. If I have to give examples: Gandhi, Martin Luther King, John Lennon, Nikola Tesla, Theo Jansen, and many others of course.
4) When looking for inspiration is there a particular thing you do to get inspired?
I usually look for inspiration outside the design field: mathematics, puzzles, geometry etc. Trekking, camping, slacklining, such activities charge me with new energy and help me see life from different angle.
5) What has brought you to this point in your career? And what is your advice for people looking to follow in your footsteps?
What made me switch from architecture to product design were intuition and seek for freedom. The design field offers much more space for application of principles from other areas. Here I can be an entrepreneur, not just a head of studio. My advice is not to be afraid of making mistakes.
