We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Marta Zawieja about their original and creative Mural design work. Marta Zawieja is an award-winning communication designer, that makes our world a better place with their original mural works.
Marta Zawieja ("MZ") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Gajusz Foundation Mural. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
MZ : I wanted to encourage the audience to establish a connection and empathy with the children staying in this hospice. Through the painting, I told a story about the emotions that these children might feel. The story was based on my own emotions that I experienced in difficult times. Sometimes the reality is so difficult or emotionally unbearable for us that we transform it with help of our imagination into a situation where we feel safe, loved and cared for.
MZ : I focused on conveying the truth about emotions. Finding the truth and telling about it exposes our sensitivity. It triggers the fear that someone will use it against us. By showing our sensitivity to others, we create a space where we can connect with the sensitivity of another human being. This was what I cared about most, the connection. This connection with other beings helps us to be guided in life not only by the survival instinct.
MZ : I have no plans as for this project
MZ : It took me 4 days to come up with the concept. Implementation 2 months.
MZ : I knew that the foundation was looking for a mural design that could be placed on the walls of the hospice for children. I wanted to take on this challenge. I gave myself space and time to sense if the pictures would come to me. First came the flamingo. I saw flamingos before when I was designing my book. They appeared on the seashore when the main character - the girl set out on a difficult and lonely journey. I felt that they were the caring, loving spirits who watch over the protagonist's safety from a distance. The child as the main character appeared naturally when I saw my daughter playing on the swing. Later I started to play with elements in conjunction with the structure of the building. I used the wall of the building, just like in previous projects I used sheets in a book. I created the concept of the project. The Foundation's management board liked the project and I started the implementation.
MZ : This work was dedicated to the Gajusz Foundation on the stationary hospice for children building.
MZ : I like challenges that allow me to transfer images from my imagination to reality.
MZ : The project was carried out by Good Looking Studio
MZ : The target customer was the Gajusz Foundation
MZ : This project was dedicated to this place, it was to express an idea consistent with the idea of the Foundation
MZ : This picture tells the story about the fear before the lonely and difficult journey. About the fear of disconnection from everything we know. About the fear of the inevitable unknown into which we have been thrown and we cannot change it. And about the great need for hugs, care and love, which can help to bear and comfort this fear.
MZ : I started to create my work using the technique of traditional painting, but due to limited possibilities and time, I transferred my work to Adobe Phothoshop and continued the project using a graphics tablet.
MZ : I think the most unique aspect of this project is that it deals with a very difficult and sensitive topic.
MZ : The project was carried out by Good Looking Studio. It is a professional company specializing in hand-painted advertisements and art murals.
MZ : Technology doesn't play any role in this project.
MZ : I didn't conduct any research.
MZ : The biggest challenge in implementing the project was to combine work with taking care of my daughter. At that time, she had severe allergies and didn’t attend kindergarten. Most of the work was done in the early morning between 4-8 am. Her presence made it easier for me to immerse myself in the child's imagination, where there are no limits and everything is possible. This influenced the shape of my work, I tried to approach the subject from the perspective of the child's imagination.
MZ : At the beginning of summer, I decided to paint pictures that for many years I have been creating only in my imagination. Working on paintings is a difficult challenge for me, especially in terms of emotions. I was then talking to god, higher self, some kind of a source (call it as you want). I wanted these images to be created so that everyone could see them, not that they would only be sold for money. I made a decision, instead of going on vacation, I spent my money on the painting materials. A week later, I got an invitation to take part in an international competition. I got scared, all the irrational fears came out of my closet. And I deal with all of them one by one to shape my life the way I want it.
MZ : I learned that it is good to ask for details and specificity of the concept implementation. I spent most of my time cleaning lines that weren't really important. I saw the building with my own eyes only after the project was completed. It was good for me. If I had seen him before, the size of the building might have overwhelmed me. When I designed smaller forms in my drawings, I felt more freedom and the courage to play with the form.
