THE COOPER UNION SCHOOL OF ART
Visual design is inseparable from language and the message it communicates. How does one convey a statement to the viewer, evoking intended understanding on the other end? It is the designer’s virtue and responsibility to speak accurately on behalf of another. Thus, the language chosen, voice and authenticity are the crucial factors. Imagine the state of design if designers embarked on research expeditions during their process, to approach each design objective as an unknown every time. Undertaking problems anew would bear unparalleled results. Possibly, projects would develop authenticity marked by pure inimitability. Daniel Ashtaev is a senior at The Cooper Union School of Art, who, as a multidisciplinary artist, embraces graphic design, photography, and various object-making techniques. In his practice, Daniil values the roles of authenticity and language as defining elements of identity. Non-digital production methods and creation of narratives play a prominent role in his process.
WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?
I was born in Ulan-Ude, Russia. Today I reside in New York.
LEFTY OR RIGHTY?
Righty.
MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?
Only mornings, only hardcore.
FICTIONAL OR HISTORICAL CHARACTER YOU’VE ALWAYS IDENTIFIED WITH?
The protagonist of La Jetée.
ARE YOU MUSICAL AND/OR DO YOU PLAY AN INSTRUMENT?
One day perhaps…
FAVORITE CHILDHOOD TV SHOW?
A great French game show called Fort Boyard
LAST BOOK YOU READ?
The Fellowship of the Ring
ANY PETS?
I do not, but perhaps peaceful falconry one day
WHAT LANGUAGES ARE YOU FLUENT IN?
Russian alongside English
FAVORITE MOVIE?
Solaris by Andrei Tarkovsky.
FAVORITE FINE ARTIST?
Andrey Remnev, Lee Ufan
FAVORITE CHARITY?
The Way to Happiness Foundation
FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY?
More work
LAST COMPLIMENT YOU GOT?
Very fast shipping. Seller was friendly and responded quickly. A+
DO YOU COLLECT ANYTHING?
I love odd specimens of Soviet industrial design
COLOR USED MOST OFTEN IN YOUR DESIGN?
K, and sometimes #000000.
TYPEFACE USED MOST OFTEN?
Eurostile lately.
GREATEST STRENGTH/WEAKNESS AS A DESIGNER?
My greatest strength and weakness is getting things down perfectly
IF YOU WERE NOT A DESIGNER, WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
In that case, I would be the designer.
A MANTRA OR SAYING YOU LIVE BY?
Be obsessed or be average.
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