Interview about Buky Illustration, winner of the A' Digital Art Award 2024
The Buky series is a part of a larger project known as Glagolitic Stories. It is named after the second letter of the Glagolitic script and is inspired by the elegance of Glagolitic characters. The illustration features a transformed hoodie with a print of the Buky letter, enhanced by accessories, clothing treatment, makeup, and overall ambiance. What makes this illustration unique is the specific inspiration and technical approach, which is based on the experience of visual arts and the use of new technologies. This artwork was created by using editing software and AI technology.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsThe concept of incorporating Glagolitic script, the oldest Slavic alphabet, into my designs is not new. Years ago, I created textile patterns and prints inspired by Glagolitic characters. However, at the beginning of 2024, I decided to develop a sportswear collection featuring prints based on these unique letters. While working on the designs, I began sharing proposals for both men's and women's clothing on social media to gauge the response. The designs garnered significant attention, reinforcing that I was on the right track with my creative process. Throughout this journey, I found myself connecting with the past—particularly the rich Slavic culture and its literacy—while also embracing contemporary shapes and pieces that fall within the international sportswear category.The second letter of the historical alphabet, Buky, represents the sound /b/ and signifies letters. This fact added a new layer to my creative process.
When the idea for a new collection came to me, I immediately began considering which fashion category would resonate with a wide audience across various traditions and diverse social, economic, and cultural contexts. I initially decided to focus on sportswear, as it has the potential to attract a broad target group. To effectively convey my concept and provide a clear background for the prints inspired by Glagolitic characters, I chose simple yet striking clothing shapes. After designing several looks, I aimed to elevate these designs further by transforming basic items like hoodies, blouses, jackets, and pants into more refined pieces that transcend the typical boundaries of sportswear. I introduced ideas for more stylized forms, utilized higher-quality materials, refined the overall look, and incorporated accessories, all while placing the illustrated model against a clean, white background. This approach led to the creation of the Buky illustration.
I have a strong background in both visual arts and fashion design, which has given me a solid understanding of the technical and aesthetic aspects of various visual disciplines. Since the early days of home computers and the development of personal technology, I have also been fascinated by technological advancements. The emergence of AI technology and the possibilities it offers quickly captured my interest. When I began the project "Glagolitic Stories," I started by creating rough sketches using Pixlr. I explored various poses, experimented with different types of clothing, and suggested colors, shapes, and details. In the next stage of the project, I generated multiple image iterations based on specific prompts derived from my initial sketches. After selecting the best images, I analyzed them in Adobe Photoshop to better understand their potential, identify areas for improvement, and ultimately carry out the final editing.
My historical research has deepened my understanding of the origins, uses, geographical distribution, and variations of the Glagolitic script. During high school, I had the opportunity to learn Old Slavonic (also known as Church Slavonic), which is the first Slavic literary language. However, we used the Cyrillic script in our lessons. This research has given me a fresh perspective on the language and its rich literary tradition, as well as a stronger connection to my family roots. I am captivated by the beauty and timeless elegance of Glagolitic characters, some of which resemble contemporary designs in terms of aesthetics. I also find the tradition of illuminating Glagolitic texts and the decorative elements involved to be fascinating. As I mentioned earlier, the character Buky signifies letters, so the entire creative process, beyond its excitement, touches on themes of communication and literacy on a symbolic level.
The design work on the Glacolitic Stories project offered an opportunity to explore various ways to incorporate this ancient script into contemporary clothing while experimenting with different fashion categories. Additionally, it aimed to revive the old tradition and create the possibility of teaching the meaning of these characters to a broader audience. I was pleased to discover that the design solutions resonated with people of non-Slavic descent who, unburdened by the specific meaning of the characters, appreciated the visual appeal of the designs.
Receiving the A' Design Award was a very humbling experience. If I take an objective look at my work, I would suggest that it fosters greater communication between the past and tradition, the spirit of the moment, and various projections of the future. This intertwining of elements from different eras can enhance the depth of design and create an identity that is much more profound than a superficial treatment of various design disciplines.
One of the challenges I faced while working with AI algorithms to create the Buky illustration was learning the visual language of various applications. I had to understand the logic behind certain options and find the right prompts that aligned with my aesthetic. Once I identified the applications suitable for my design work and discovered the appropriate textual inputs for the AI algorithms, the process transformed into a joyful exploration of different possibilities.
My experiences in fashion design and theatrical costume have enabled me to create visually appealing images that attract attention while remaining simple, clear, and free of unnecessary complications. This approach, combined with the color accents on the accessories and the transformation of the hoodie, provides a solid "background" for the Buky letter. I also aimed to ensure that the image is legible in various sizes.
In addition to drawing inspiration from tradition, a significant aspect of my design work focuses on utilizing fashion design as a means of communication. Fashion has the ability to convey various messages in diverse ways—sometimes directly, and other times more subtly. My work emphasizes important issues such as tolerance, cultural diversity, human relations, and environmental preservation. However, I always prioritize the preservation of cultural heritage through my designs, actions, and public statements.
Whenever I blend traditional elements from the past, such as historical scripts, with contemporary fashion aesthetics, the response on social media is overwhelmingly positive and encouraging. We live in a visually saturated world and face challenging times. I’ve noticed that a successful formula for creating an appealing and intriguing image involves striking a balance between familiar, comforting elements and those that are surprising and intriguing, all wrapped in a visually pleasing package.
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