I am an award-winning designer and conceptual artist with a unique perspective shaped by my background in both mathematical and creative education.
With degrees from the University for the Creative Arts and Moscow Aviation Institute, my work is defined by unconventional conceptual thinking, bold use of color, and a balanced harmony of brightness.
Dieter Rams' '10 Principles of Good Design' are fundamental to my creative philosophy. While studying at the University for the Creative Arts, I expanded on his ideas and wrote a manifesto, '11 Principles of Home Paradise,' inspired by both his work and Henry Matisse’s painting The Pink Studio.
These principles continue to shape and guide my interior and furniture designs, blending functionality with artistic inspiration.
1. Home Paradise is visually pleasing, comfortable and welcoming.
2. Home Paradise is filled with light.
3. Home Paradise is colorful and harmonious.
4. Home Paradise is perfectly ordered and variably scaled.
5. Home Paradise is characterized by curved and straight lines.
6. Home Paradise is tactile and textured.
7. Home Paradise is glossy and matte, glass and mirrored, wood and brass.
8. Home Paradise is patterned.
9. Home Paradise is filled with elements of nature.
10. Home Paradise is filled with art.
11. Home Paradise is timeless.
I've observed that many of my ideas and solutions to problems arise during hypnagogia – the transitional state between wakefulness and sleep. This same technique was famously harnessed by artist Salvador Dalí and inventor Thomas Edison. Hypnagogia is characterized by a softening of consciousness as one drifts into sleep, often leading to a flood of creativity and unexpected insights.
So, I begin developing the idea, sketching or creating an object in SketchUp. I search for similar concepts or primary sources, carefully analyzing and synthesizing the information to refine my design.
I chose to enter The Kandinsky Sofa because it goes beyond its main function, which makes it innovative and unique all over the world. The Kandinsky Sofa is a multifunctional piece of furniture. It features a built-in console that easily transforms into a table, making it ideal for work, study, or dining.
This compact "3-in-1" solution caters to a range of users: adults working from home will appreciate the additional workspace, while children can use it as a homework desk under parental supervision. The Kandinsky Sofa is particularly space-efficient, making it ideal for small rooms and providing better accessibility for wheelchair users. The sofa can serve as an additional sleeping place. Due to its diverse functionality, can be an excellent solution for rented apartments and hotels.
At times, I incorporate Colorstrology into my interior designs, tailoring color choices based on my clients' birthdays. Drawing inspiration from the iconic Pantone system, Colorstrology blends astrology, numerology, and color theory to create 366 unique 'birthday colors,' each paired with a personality profile.
This approach helps me align design elements with deeper personal meanings, offering a more bespoke and meaningful experience.
After completing my diploma project 'Egyptian Narrative' at the University for the Creative Arts, I traveled to Cairo to see the Egyptian pyramids and sail along the Nile to explore the ancient architectural monuments and artifacts that had long fascinated me and inspired the minimalist furniture collection I developed for my diploma.
To my amazement, I found myself the sole passenger aboard The Oberoi, accompanied by 70 attentive staff members. It felt as though the universe was rewarding me for my work on the subject of Ancient Egypt. This unique experience became the catalyst for turning my Nefertiti mirror design into a reality—bringing it to life through production.
Oksana Butman is an award-winning designer and conceptual artist with a unique perspective shaped by her background in both mathematical and creative education, and her work has been featured in renowned publications like 25 Beautiful Homes, Tatler, and Interior + Design.
Explore the journey of Wei Pan, the Silver Winner of the 2024 MUSE Design Awards. As the Founder of Ningbo Castle Mechanical Co., Ltd., he brings over a decade of expertise in mechanical components, with a design philosophy that blends practicality, innovation, and environmental sustainability.