Tradition and Experimentation: GRUPPA on Russian Design

Contents:

• About the team
• About Russian design
• About local heritage

GRUPPA is a Moscow-based creative studio founded in 2015 by designers Dasha Anikeeva and Kirill Borisov. Their work focuses on local heritage and folk motifs, which is reflected in the uniqueness of their projects. We discussed their sources of inspiration with them, as well as their collaborative clothing collection created in collaboration with the FRONT project. Studio GRUPPA strives to combine traditional elements with modern trends, creating stylish and original pieces that tell a story and highlight cultural heritage.

Graphic designer and fabric artist specialize in creating unique visual solutions and textile products. A graphic designer develops logos, illustrations, and advertising materials using modern software tools to achieve aesthetically pleasing results. A textile artist, on the other hand, creates original textile products, such as clothing, accessories, and home decor, using a variety of dyeing and printing techniques. The combination of these two areas allows us to create harmonious and functional products that attract attention and satisfy customer needs.

A graphic designer and art director are key specialists in the field of visual arts and communication. A graphic designer is responsible for creating visual concepts that effectively convey messages and ideas through various media formats. He develops logos, advertising materials, web designs, and other visual elements, focusing on the client's needs and target audience.

An art director, in turn, manages the creative process and monitors the quality of visual materials. They work to develop a unified style and concept for projects, coordinating the activities of a team of designers, illustrators, and photographers. An important task of an art director is to ensure that visual content aligns with the overall brand strategy and marketing goals.

Both professions require deep knowledge of design, as well as an understanding of modern trends and technologies. Successful graphic designers and art directors possess creative thinking, analytical ability, and attention to detail, which allows them to create unique and memorable visual solutions.

About the team

We are the team of Dasha and Kirill, who founded a graphic design bureau in 2015. Over all these years, we continue to provide graphic design services, remaining true to our principles and commitment to quality. Our experience and creative approach allow us to create unique solutions for each project, making us a reliable design partner.

We developed a competitive identity for Zaryadye Park, a significant tourist attraction in Russia. Although we didn't win the competition, we created several sketches during the process that opened up new horizons in Russian design. At the time, these ideas seemed revolutionary to us, although now we perceive them as naive.

We created a unique project that reflects our inner thoughts and feelings. This isn't just inspiration from Pinterest, but a sincere expression of our creativity and pursuit of beauty.

From that moment on, we had an idea that would form the basis of our approach to work: beauty should be a designed element of design. An important aspect of our approach was Dasha's education, having graduated from university with a degree in textile design. Fabric patterns are often based on shapes and motifs that we instinctively perceive as beautiful, especially botanical designs. This understanding of beauty and harmony has become key to creating unique and aesthetically pleasing designs.

This is a broad topic that we continue to explore. Our approach is more research-oriented than design-focused. We hypothesize that Russian design may be rooted in decorative practice. It is important to delve into cultural aspects, historical traditions, and contemporary trends to better understand how these elements influence the development of design in Russia.

Decorativity is an integral part of design. In the design world, it is perceived as the completeness of composition, aesthetic appeal, and expressiveness of form. The fundamental aspirations associated with decorativeness are rooted in its importance in creating visually harmonious and attractive objects.

About Russian design

Russian design is shaped by Russian designers. We are a reflection of what we create. Russia lacks established design traditions, and many contemporary challenges cannot be addressed by relying solely on archival materials. Occasionally, one encounters works in which the authors delve deeper into the experience of previous generations of designers. This is a more promising approach, but unfortunately, it is not enough. The main problem with Russian design is the widespread borrowing of meanings and images. It is important to be understood correctly, especially in the current challenging environment. We do not support import substitution, nor do we seek to adhere to outdated traditions or stereotypes. We advocate experimentation, which, unfortunately, is gradually disappearing from Russian design. Replicating successful practices from other countries has become commonplace in many industries, and this is entirely acceptable at a certain stage of development. However, we strive for more. We are interested in the direction in which our visual culture and culture as a whole are moving. Are we capable of more? Can we forge our own unique identity and integrate into global culture, creating new meanings and images? These questions are becoming especially relevant in the context of globalization and the exchange of cultural values. It's important for us not only to borrow, but also to create original ideas that reflect our essence and contribute to the development of cultural dialogue on the international stage.

On Local Heritage

When you start your career in commercial design, you often develop a strong aversion to local and folk symbols and images. It seems that they are naive and have no practical value. However, over time, you come to the realization that behind these symbols are ordinary people, designers and artists like you. Understanding the historical and cultural context of these images allows you to use them in your projects, giving them uniqueness and depth. It is important to realize that integrating traditional elements into contemporary design can not only enrich the visual language but also create a connection with the audience based on shared cultural roots.

At a certain point, the question arises: "Why did people do this?" The answer to this question is quite simple: they relied on what they saw in their surroundings, which they found aesthetically appealing. People are influenced by culture and tradition, which shape their perception of beauty and style. This is why familiar elements of the environment become the basis for actions and decisions, creating a unique atmosphere and lifestyle.

Local heritage is a processed impression of authors who are able to transform it into a unique style and approach. In this context, the question of the meaning of crafts, industry and industry arises. Each image associated with local heritage reflects cultural traditions and values ​​that can be adapted and interpreted in the modern world. Such heritage not only preserves historical memory but also inspires new directions in design and art, emphasizing the importance of the interaction between tradition and innovation.

We do not focus on the details of specific ornaments, but rather on the images with which the authors worked. These can be flowers or animals. If we are talking about flowers, it is important to understand whether they are alive or presented as a bouquet that will soon wither. We strive to ask more general questions, emphasizing not the scientific aspects of local heritage, but human perception and emotion.

We draw inspiration from traditional Russian artistic styles such as Gorodets and Khokhloma painting, Dymkovo and Abashevo toys, Gzhel, Orlov manuscripts, and Pavlovo Posad shawls. However, we do not limit ourselves to these styles. We are confident that we can freely interpret known motifs in accordance with current requirements. Our goal is to explore how these traditional elements can exist in the modern world and how they must adapt to remain relevant.

At a certain point, the question arises: "Why did people act this way?" The answer to this question is quite simple: they observed it in their surroundings and perceived it as beautiful. People imitate what they see, and this shapes their perceptions of aesthetics and culture. As a result, traditions and customs are passed down from generation to generation, creating unique cultural phenomena.