The Kandinsky Sofa: Oksana Butman’s Journey to an Award-Winning Design

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Oksana Butman

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.

1Please give us a brief bio of yourself and your design background.

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.

2What made you become/why did you choose to become a designer/artist?
I decided to pursue furniture design because I’m passionate about creating unique, innovative pieces and enjoy bringing unconventional ideas to life. I love the process of seeing my designs come to fruition quickly, transforming concepts into tangible results.
3Tell us more about your business/company, job profile, and what you do.
I am a freelance designer, and my work has been featured in renowned publications such as '25 Beautiful Homes', 'Tatler', and 'Interior + Design'.
4What does “design” mean to you?
Design is not only a feast for the mind and senses, engaging both intellect and emotion, but also a balance of function and practicality.
5To you, what makes a “good” design?

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.

6Describe your design style and its main characteristics.
My design style is functional and thoughtful, drawing inspiration from art, architecture, and travel. I aim to infuse history and narrative into every design I create.
7Tell us about your design process.

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.

8Do you think your country and its cultural heritage has an impact on your design process?
Yes, absolutely! Lately, my designs have been heavily influenced by my study of Ancient Egypt. My diploma project, 'Egyptian Narrative,' completed at the University for the Creative Arts, became a finalist in an international creative competition in 2021.
9Congratulations! As the winner of the 2024 MUSE Design Awards, what does it mean to you and your company and team to receive this award distinction?
I hope this award will help me connect with a furniture company to produce and market 'The Kandinsky Sofa', enabling me to meet customers' needs for diverse functionality in this unique piece of furniture.
10Can you explain a bit about the winning work you entered into the 2024 MUSE Design Awards, and why you chose to enter this project?

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.

11What was the biggest challenge with this project?
The biggest challenge with this project was finding a reliable mechanism for securing the folding top of the console.
12Where do you see the evolution of design industry going over the next 5-10 years?
The advancement of materials and artificial intelligence is set to profoundly transform the design industry over next couple years.
13If you were a student entering this industry or an aspiring MUSE Design Awards submitter, what advice would you give them?
I recommend applying the principles of the academic process in your design work, particularly focusing on information gathering, thorough analysis, and a critical approach.
14Tell us something you have never told anyone else.

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.

15Who has inspired you in your life and why?
Andrey Bartenev, the visionary artist, sculptor, and experimentalist, not only has inspired me with his fearless self-expression and boundless creativity in interactive installations and performances but also with his remarkable human qualities. His support and guidance have been invaluable to me as both a conceptual artist and a designer.
16What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?
Do what needs to be done, and let the rest unfold as it will.
17Do you have anything else you would like to add to the interview?

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.

Winning Entry

The Kandinsky Sofa | 2024

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Oksana Butman

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.

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