“If you’ve put a lot of work into your project then let it go further into the world” – interview with Joanna Trela

The interview with Joanna Trela, a make me! 2019 finalist and graduate of Industrial Design at the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow. She likes working with materials such as wood, metal, glass, ceramics. She takes inspiration from nature and old craftsmanship.

Wild bees are as efficient pollinators as honey bees, which is why it is worth taking care of them and being aware of their needs and problems with a declining population. I wanted my project to not only have a design value, but also an educational value. I want to show that caring for these insects is not difficult, dangerous and requires no effort. My goal was to design a collection of ceramic homes for various species of wild pollinating insects. The advantage of ceramic material over the most popular wooden ones is durability and water resistance of glazed ceramics. It is also a natural insulation. OWADOM consists of universal ceramic modules that can be supplemented with plywood and rope elements. The channeling allows stable positioning of the module one on top of the other, as well as its hanging on a rope. After turning, the ceramic element can be a house for insects digging in the ground or a plant pot. The front wall made of plywood protects insects from the rain and birds. Through my work I want to familiarize people with the presence of wild pollinators and attract people potentially interested in taking care of wild bees in cities and beyond.

The theme of Lodz Design Festival 2019 was „Good Life”. What does it mean for you? Do you believe a good life can be designed?

Joanna: For me, a good life is an honest and simple life. In harmony with yourself and the environment. Without unnecessary distraction and rush for news and mods. It is a life in which we surround ourselves with good, inspiring people and objects. Can a good life be designed? I don’t know if it can be designed, but you can be sensitive to its signs and celebrate them. On the back of my head I also have a slogan from the Łódź Design Festival posters a few years ago: „Design won’t save the world”. It won’t save, but it’s worth trying.

What inspired you to create the make me! project OWADOM?

Joanna: Ignorance. Initially also mine. Exploring the subject of bees and their problems, I noticed that I have the opportunity through my project to introduce recipients to other species of pollinators and their useful activities. Bring them closer to humans. The people I spoke to about these insects were often surprised at the richness of species in bees. Promoting this knowledge was my main goal. The material, ceramics and my previous experiences were inspiring to me. Its capabilities and properties made that OWADOM has this form.

Could you please tell us about the process of creating a ready-made object for the exhibition?

Joanna: I made prototypes at the university, at the Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków, and OWADOM is my bachelor’s project. Everyone who has ever dealt with ceramics knows that patience is the key … I cast the modules from the ceramic casting mass, then I fired, glazed and fired again, so in a nutshell. Plywood fronts were cut with a CNC laser.

How is the work on the project like at the moment? Do you plan to develop it?

Joanna: In the spring I am going to settle my OWDOMS and document this process. In addition, I plan to design something like an educational booklet. It is to briefly and succinctly tell about wild bees. It will contain tips on how to care for wild bees and how to create comfortable living conditions for them.

Is your project already implemented on the market? What kind of investors are you looking for, with whom would you like to cooperate?

Joanna: I’d love to. The main assumption of my project was that it would be a product that could be implemented and produced on a larger scale. I am looking for investors who have ceramic facilities who, like me, recognize the potential of OWADOM. I want to cooperate with people who, thanks to experience in industry, will help me introduce a product to the market

Are you working on something else right now?

Joanna: I am currently working on a project using Polish wool and I started to implement UX design. I am still learning, this year I started my master’s degree, I want to gather as much experience and knowledge from various areas of design as possible.

Was the participation in the make me! final and the exhibition helpful? How do you perceive participation in the contest?

Joanna: Yes, the make me! contest and the whole festival is a great platform for presenting your project. After the end of the contest, the finalists’ projects are further promoted on social media and more. This interview with me is also proof of that. If the opportunity arose, I would love to take part in make me! again. It is really a nice experience.

What are your plans for the next, let’s say, five years?

Joanna: It’s hard to say I’m open. I don’t plan ahead so much because I don’t know what the possibilities will open up for me. For now, I’m definitely going to finish my master’s degree in the next two years. In the meantime I want to gather professional experience. Designing is my passion, but I don’t know exactly what area of ​​design I will deal with in the future. After graduation, I would like to work in a design studio where I will be able to implement projects that I believe in.

What should young designers pay attention to the most? What advice could you give to people who want to enter the make me! contest?

Joanna: I’m a young, debuting designer myself, so it’s hard for me to give advice. At this stage, I can say that first of all you have to try, in competitions, portfolio reviews, etc. If you do not decide to send your project yourself, then nobody will do it for us. Don’t be shy if you’ve put a lot of work into your project then let it go further into the world!

Lastly, we have a kind of a questionnaire prepared for you:

If you could be the designer of any project in the history of mankind, what would it be

Joanna: Coffee machine.

What do you think will be the next breakthrough technological invention that you will live long enough to see? What are you most looking forward to?

Joanna: I think traveling will become even more accessible and faster, which I can’t wait for. Rail transport will slowly develop towards Hyperloop and there is a chance that this technology will be commercialized. High-speed railways will become an alternative to air transport.

Who is the most important designer these days?

Joanna: Dieter Rams, I value him for the sincerity and timelessness of his projects.

Can you name the most interesting designers in Poland for you?

Joanna: I admire the work of Bogdan Kosak, Maja Ganszyniec and Oskar Zięta, they inspire me.

What should be on the best-designed pizza?

Joanna: Preferably goat cheese, red onion and balsamic vinegar.

What book worth recommending did you read lately?

Joanna: Recently I read “Kaizen philosophy. Small Steps to Perfection “by Dr. Robert Maurer, there are useful tips for people working in creative teams and more. I am currently reading “Mikrotyki” by Paweł Sołtys, I have not finished yet, but I think I can already recommend it.

Your three favorite TV series are:

Joanna: I watch a few TV series, I prefer documentaries, but if I choose, it will be “Game of Thrones”.

Favorite movie scene:

Joanna: Tango from the film “Scent of a Woman” by Martin Brest, it is worth seeing this scene together with the dialogue preceding the dance.

You have a one-way ticket. Where would you go?

Joanna: New Zealand because I charge my internal batteries surrounded by nature. I will definitely go there someday.

The Rolling Stones or The Beatles?

Joanna: The Rolling Stones.

Rihanna or Beyonce?

Joanna: Rihanna, for her personality.

Star Wars or Star Trek?

Joanna: Star Wars, I love, but only the first trilogy from the turn of the 70’s and 80’s.

Superman or Batman?

Joanna: Batman.

Cats or dogs?

Joanna: I have a dog and a cat, so I can’t choose …;)

Thanks for an interesting conversation!