Interview at the Heroine’s Journey

What is the thing that you love most about your work?

I am an architect, designer and professional photographer, currently the creative director of a design studio in Barcelona. Throughout my career, I have always chosen to be a creator using tools such as geometry, colour, light and composition. Creativity is essentially an open-minded process of research for an answer to a problem. And I find solving problems very fulfilling.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Happiness is having the people I love close to me. Perfect happiness is a life with health, love, creation, light.

What is your greatest fear?

I dread being unable to help the people I love or myself. A fair fight is one that can be fought. I am not scared of having to fight. I believe going through difficulties in life makes us stronger, smarter, more interesting in the end. I’m uniquely fearful of an unfair battle, one that I can not win, such as an illness.

What is the trait that you most deplore in yourself?

I grew up deeming innocence until definite proof of guilt. I expect people will treat me the same way I would. Sometimes, this “innocence” results in my getting hurt. I have learned through the years, that to support others, one needs to support oneself first. Nevertheless, I can’t help but expect integrity from people, giving them the benefit of the doubt.

Which living persons in your profession do you most admire?

I admire the work of a large number of designers and architects, but I have no heroes. The ones I admire the most are the young design students I have had the luck to have met as a tutor or mentor. I respect their courage and dedication, their fresh ideas and their eagerness to enter an increasingly competitive environment such as the design world.

What is your greatest extravagance?

I like to travel a lot. It’s my favourite way to learn and get inspired. I visit at least three different countries a year. Thankfully, we now have the luxury of travelling along with our offices, if needed!

On what occasion would you lie?

If by lying, I can avoid hurting someone or if somehow I could serve the greater good.

What is the thing that you dislike the most in your work?

It is an indescribable joy when what you create comes to life, serves its purpose, solves the problem. Working as a designer though is not easy, considering the complications it involves until you establish yourself as an expert. Even then, the communication with the clients is always a challenge. At times, they trust friends, family or social media more than the professional they hired. They insist on overriding the brief and dictate a solution other than the designer’s. In many cases, it results in mistrust and common, boring designs.

When and where were you the happiest, in your work?

Although I love being in Barcelona and spending time at the studio, I am extremely happy when I am able to work off-site. Travelling to a beautiful beach, a tropical forest or a new interesting city while working is an astounding source of inspiration to me. Fortunately for me, technology has enabled our generation to work and connect with each other telematically. Best off-site office time so far: Zanzibar.

If I could, what would you change about yourself?

I believe we are all constantly changing by receiving more information, experience and influences daily anyway. Still, I would like to be able to recall more of the things I’ve read throughout the years if I could.

What is your greatest achievement in work?

I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with people who trusted and appreciated my dedication and expertise since the beginning of my career. I have been running Yellow Studio for almost ten years now, and things are looking great. I am proud of what I have achieved here as a woman founder and as an immigrant, with a lot of hard work and dedication.

Where would you most like to live?

I can’t complain. I am just fine where I am, since I have access to all means of transportation, and can go anyplace in the world. My favourite place in the world though is another. I come from a small island in the Cyclades in Greece, called Anafi. One of its mountains is the second largest rock in the Mediterranean, after Gibraltar. On the hilltop, there is a small white chapel, part of a 17th-century monastery. There, one effortlessly realises the vastness and beauty of the universe. Sky and sea become an infinite blue, it’s beautiful.

What is your most treasured possession?

I have one part of a spiral ring that combines with another one identical to it. The other part belongs to my mother. It’s quite hard to live far away from your family. Sometimes, a simple object shortens the distance.

What is your most marked characteristic?

Some say I am a nerd who dreams of a social utopia. I say I am optimistic and hopeful.

What is your most inspirational location, in your city?

What I find exciting about living in Barcelona is the walking distance to the beachfront and its stunning medieval city centre. I cannot say I have a special inspirational place, but I do fancy taking long walks in the afternoon around the city, towards a different endpoint each time. Inspiration can find you anywhere. Enjoying attractive surroundings is a plus. When going out is not possible, the armchair next to the balcony door is a place I enjoy curling up at in search of inspiration. I take a book on my lap and enjoy the view of Jean Nouvelle’s Angbar tower in-between the plants.

What is your favourite place to eat and drink in Barcelona?

I’m not a big fan of Spanish cuisine, to be honest, but there are some eateries I enjoy going to because of their authenticity. An example would be “La Plata” at c/Mercé in the city centre. They only serve three dishes, but it is a great experience. For an authentic Uruguayan steak, try “Iguasu” in Barceloneta. For drinks, I recommend cava at the “Xampanyet”, vermouth at a traditional bodega like the “Sopena” in c/Clot, or, one of my favourite places, the “Bar Mariachi” at c/Códols.

What books influenced your life and how?

I’m quite a bookworm. I read everything and anything, from graphic novels to philosophy, art books to novels, poetry to children’s books. As a toddler, my favourite book was one on Greek mythology. It included gorgeous geometric illustrations and is probably the reason why I fell in love with lines, colours and symbols. The first textbook I recall had an impact on me was Z by Vasilis Vasilikos. Another was the Hobbit by JRR Tolkien. And then, of course, Damn good advice by George Lois.

Who are your favourite writers?

My favourite writer is JRR Tolkien. For his unparalleled mastery of language, metaphor building, his vast imagination and an outstanding sense of morality and honour. Language is one of humanity’s first great achievements; an art that is both appealing and functional. No word should mean nothing, as he once said.

You Only Die Once. What music would you listen to on your last day?

That’s quite an intriguing question. Although I love music, I think the last sound I want to listen to before I die is rain falling on leaves or waves breaking on the seashore, or a combination of the two. I find these sounds very relaxing and comforting. If it had to be a song, it would be Led Zeppelin’s Ramble On.

Who is your hero or heroine in fiction?

My favourite fictional character is Sherlock Holmes. A methodical, intelligent person who helps others by solving problems, keeps an open mind, experiments, has a love for science and knowledge.

Who are your heroes and heroines in real life?

My mother and father are the people I admire more than anyone. She is the most intelligent, capable, hardworking, loving and kind person I know. And he is the most determined, communicative, goal-oriented and participative one.

Which movie would you recommend to see once in a lifetime?

Oh! So many. If I had to choose one though, that would be 1984 or V for Vendetta. Not only for being excellent movies but for the message they both convey; be critical, be informed, be as free as you can be, don’t let others decide for you, break the rules when the rules are unjust.

What role plays art in your life and work?

Art is everywhere. It’s an essential expression of human intelligence and spirit. It is what makes us different from other animals. Art and tears. Sometimes a combination of the two.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, a partner in crime?

I’d have to say, my partner. He’s the one that keeps me grounded when I become more “artist” that “business owner”. Plus, he shares with me the love for language, history, music and travel. I consider myself very fortunate.

Whom would you like to work with, in 2019-2020?

I would very much love to start working on personal collaboration projects, so the answer would be: with many promising young designers.

Which people in your profession would you love to meet in 2019-2020?

George Lois, Paula Scher and Debbie Millman, all for different reasons.

What project are you looking forward to working on in 2019-2020?

I would like to get started on a few new pending projects, a collaborative project I have yet to clarify and keep working on the editorial project (Branding for Writers) I have set up with my partner Vanessa Garduño.

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to you?

The word “passion”‘s Greek etymology (Πάθος) is both “something you feel strongly about” and “suffering”. I believe it’s both at the same time. You always suffer in a way for the people or things you love, and that kind of distress is continuous.