In Profile:
Yellow Goat Design

Name: Kristina Albu

Company: Yellow Goat Design

Position within company: Designer

Website: www.yellowgoatdesign.com

Tell us a little about your background in design (education, experience, etc)

My journey in design began at a young age. During my teenage years studying design In Bulgaria, I was fortunate to have exceptional mentors who introduced me to key principles of art and composition, especially in drawing, sculpture, and fine art. Later, I graduated from the National Art Academy of Sofia in Bulgaria with a degree in Spatial and Industrial Design. My professional career has been diverse, starting at a global advertising agency where I worked with major international clients. I then transitioned to the interior design industry where I gained valuable experience collaborating with the entire A&D community: designers, architects, subcontractors and manufacturers.

My journey led me to Australia where I embarked on a life-changing adventure sailing across the Pacific Ocean with my family. It was in Australia that I found my professional home at Yellow Goat Design.  As a product designer, my previous experience and education allow me to design bespoke, statement light fixtures and architectural screens for interior spaces.  The understanding of design principles and construction aid in my ability to communicate and collaborate with our clients.  This role is unbelievably fulfilling and I love pulling from all my skillsets to create memorable experiences through large-scale installations.

How would you describe your personal design style?

As a child, I loved playing with shapes, angles, and colors in a chaotic, and sometimes messy, way.  To this day, I often feel like I stumble upon good designs, almost by accident, using 3D modelling and experimenting with materiality in its raw form.  However, creating a beautifully crafted product from a good idea is a meticulous team effort.  As designers, we rely on the team’s collaboration and expertise to bring the actual idea to life.

Where does your design inspiration come from?

At Yellow Goat Design, our inspiration comes from a philosophy instilled by our founder, Jerzy Lesko. We believe in following our intuition and emotions rather than trends. This approach allows us to create lighting products that stand out as artwork, conveying feeling in any space. This commitment to distinctive design led by personal intuition is what sets us apart and defines our brand.

In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?

Design is increasingly focused on sustainability and people. There’s a growing trend towards creating environmentally friendly and socially responsible products that enhance well-being. Technology is also being used more creatively to improve functionality and user experience. At Yellow Goat, we strive to create impactful products by experimenting with new materials, local sourcing and LED lighting to last and remain relevant over time.

Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2023 and beyond.

Environmentally responsible design, searching for beauty in simplicity in the small details, experimenting with new materials, local sourcing and jaw-dropping execution.

If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design schemes, what would it be?

Create products with a unique story and character, combined with great quality, to elevate the space and create meaningful connections between people and their environment.

How important are The International Design & Architecture Awards?

The International Design & Architecture Awards are highly regarded in the industry and very important for Yellow Goat Desgn. It can lead to increased visibility and opportunities for collaboration on new exciting projects.

What projects are you currently working on?

As designers and industry leaders, our design collections are at the heart of our brand.  Our clients look to us for inspiration and cutting-edge lighting products that they can use to elevate their interior spaces.  We are also working on some high-profile and confidential projects in the hospitality, casino and workplace space.

What was your favourite project to work on and why?

I don’t have a single favorite project, but what I truly love is witnessing each project come to completion. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the initial concept designs evolve into reality, thanks to the hard work of our amazing team that spans across the US, Canada, and Australia. From the meticulous detailing in shop drawings to the actual manufacturing and construction processes, it’s a collaborative effort that I find most fulfilling in the design process.

What was your most challenging project to work on and why?

Sometimes the most challenging projects are the ones that we are the proudest of at completion.  Despite budget, weight/size and time limitations, we are still able to create a unique, dynamic and beautiful product that enhances the space, tells a story and delights the client.  We do not want to call out a specific project to protect the client’s interests but the lesson is that the more constraints can lead to the most successful designs.

Which products/services could you not live without when designing?

Rhinoceros – the software that we use every day in our design process.  Our team loves the ability to sketch quick concepts in 3D and scale them quickly.  I also love my Stanley knife and a piece of paper for quick prototyping.

What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?

I hope we will continue to work with our clients to create inspiring spaces through lighting design.  We are also very excited to launch our 2024 design collection in the fall/winter!

Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself and your daily inspirations:

Your most treasured possession? It isn’t a possession but my most treasured thing is my family who keeps me grounded when I am emotionally high or low.

Your favourite holiday destination? Free in the ocean. Also recently, I fell in love with Costa Rica. I hope I have the chance to visit again.

Your favourite hotel, restaurant & bar?  I prefer holidays in nature, camping, or visiting remote islands by boat away from tourist crowds.

Your favourite book, film & song? Gianni Rodari Telephone Tales- It Is a children`s book full of weird stories with deep meaning including Moulin Rouge, Dos Gardenias and the Buena Vista Social Club Album.

Your favourite food and drink? Bulgarian and Mediterranean cuisine is simple and truly delicious with a test of home.  My favourite drink on any day is Corona with a lime.

Your favourite way to spend an afternoon? Gardening

If you weren’t a designer, what would you be? Perhaps a kindergarten teacher – I love the pure joy and expression of childhood. 

Anything else interesting?  I think it is interesting to see how the world will evolve with technology and how AI will integrate into everyone’s life and work.