Translated material
Interview with Leonid Slavin
Leonid Slavin is a permanent art director of the Tabu studio, a member of Art Directors Club Russia and the Portfolio designer club. Leonid's works have repeatedly received competitive awards, three times received a prize of the Victoria designers for the best work of the year in the field of graphic design. Among the clients of Leonid Slavin and the studio "Tabu" are Deutsche Bank, Konica Corporation, Norilsk Nickel and many others.
In January, in the British Higher School of Design, an intensive “graphic design and visual communications ” will be held. Leonid Slavin talks about the content of the course, changes in the profession of a graphic designer and the importance of his own visual language.
Leonid, what is the main difference between the disciplines “Graphic Design” and “Visual Communications”?
In my opinion, the “graphic design” has become the term for internal use. Professionals can talk about good and poor design, based on some of their criteria, but really now The one who achieves communication with the audience wins. The visual design of the events and the design for the network, non -standard advertising media and non -traditional stylistic solutions - all this does not fit in the classical idea of graphic design.
Tell us a little more about those lectures and practical classes that are planned as part of the course.
Classes approximately correspond to what we do with students on the course “ Visual Communications ”: the idea of symbols, style and compositions, work in different techniques and formats, the ability to create multi -component communication, acquaintance with a visual context - the work of the students themselves. Lectures will alternate with workshops and discussions of sketches. Intensive will be united by a common topic; What is the secret so far. As a result of the course, everyone has to present their own project, made during the intensity: so listeners will not have to rest after class. It will be difficult, I guarantee it.
What do you think, what changes should be expected to listeners from these seven days, and which skills are difficult to purchase for this period?
I hope that everyone will find new creative opportunities that he did not suspect, and add interesting and unexpected work to his portfolio. It is difficult to teach some intricacies of craft in a week, to learn a creative approach to visual communications is possible.
What is the role of invited teachers?
Each professional has his own visual language, his own techniques and secrets, and most importantly - his attitude to the profession. As a rule, in the most general terms, we are discussing what invited teachers will talk about in their classes, but more importantly - the opportunity to look at the profession with new eyes. Each of the guests has something to learn - including me.
What is the most common mistake do you meet among practicing graphic designers?
“It is impossible to make a mistake!” (C) The only thing I can call a mistake is timidity, disbelief in myself and the desire to be “like everyone else”. A person who is not afraid to try something new, to go against the trend, as a rule, creates his own trend. Naturally, this does not cancel the possession of all visual communication tools, including the problem with a set of lowercase in discharge :)