August Design is a design studio, founded by Irina Grishina and Olga Milczyńska. They create ceramics, design objects for everyday use and work with photography. In August Design Studio, they’ve decided that careful observation of human beings and their surroundings, the functionality of objects, and above all the simple joys will become the core of their design philosophy. Their goal is to create beautiful, modern objects; however, they use traditional techniques. While collaborating with craftsmen, they make sure that both sides learn something from each other. We met to find out what their daily work looks like.
Your morning routine:
O.M.: Exercise, good breakfast and a walk to the studio.
IG: Bathroom, breathing exercises and breakfast.
The first thing you do when you come to your /studio:
Both: Water the plants outside and do the office work.
Instagram, Fb or no social media?
Both: Instagram and Fb.
Magazines/books you like to read?
O.M.: I love novels, both by the classic writers, as well as by the modern ones. Lately Houellebecq and Virginia Woolf.
IG: Books about photography and photographers, recently though I went back to classic Russian novels.
Three objects which are essential at your work?
O.M.: I’m a collector. I gather objects, it’s impossible to choose just three crucial ones.
IG: A computer, a camera and light.
What are your favourite tools to help you to get the job done?
Both: A pencil or something to draw, my favourite wooden tool and an old credit card.
What inspires you and motivates you to get your work done?
O.M.: Tradition that I can admire in all sorts of museums, old craft techniques, patterns and structures as well as modern art and nature, which I spend time surrounded by whenever I can.
IG: News from around the world on design and photography, nature and traveling.
One funny story from your work?
O.M.: Just recently I was building a monument in Indonesia. When people from there heard that I’m coming to do it, they imagined a tall and big woman, and then they saw me – 150 cm tall.
IG: I don’t remember any. Work is serious, there is no fun to it. (That’s a joke 🙂
The project you are working on right now.
O.M.: I’m working on a new series, inspired by landscapes and old collections: Wunderkameras.
IG: Something that’s really close to my motherland’s culture.
What do you love about your job? And what sucks about it?
O.M.: Concentration – while creating a new piece I get totaly involved in the process, and I live in my own world then. Paperwork sucks.
IG: Observation and research are what I like the most; I don’t really like folding and unfolding boxes.
Hand-made or mass-production?
Both: Hand-made definitely!
Do you work individually or with a team?
Both: Depends on a project, but lately, we’ve been working more on our own.
How do you rest and relax after work?
O.M.: Reading, meeting friends and going to the forest.
IG: Yoga, cycling, listening to music.
Do you have any advice for someone who wants to work in your field?
O.M.: Focus on your own style, work hard and be patient.
IG: Show your work!
Purchase Porcelain by august studio here:
