Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Magda Banach. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Magda, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
Being an interior designer, creativity is a very important part of my daily work, so I make sure to keep my creativity alive. This may sound cliche, however, I seek inspiration from everything around me. When observing the world, I like to analyze what surrounds me or simply admire it. I go out for a walk to observe nature or city life. When I’m in a restaurant, I pay attention to the interior design, but also to the way the dish is served and its flavors. I think the key here is to be present and notice what is around us.
Many times, I’m inspired by movies, music and fashion (those from the runways, as well as street fashion). Although I do interiors for a living, exposure to other genres of art definitely stimulates my creativity and inspires me. I also love going to museums and art galleries. I can get inspiration from contemporary works as well as those from hundreds of years ago. Admiring what other artists have created (often in fields other than my own) creates a lot of new ideas in my head.
In addition to observing and being inspired by the outside world, the creative process itself is important for maintaining my creativity. Even if I have a moment of blockage, I continue to work on the project by creating sketches or a mood board. Continuing to work even when my creativity is not at its highest level, sooner or later helps to spark it. Sometimes I do something creative, but outside of my work – such as painting or photography. Giving expression to my creativity outside of my business definitely helps me keep that creativity alive.
If I had to sum it up in one sentence – being present and creating keeps my creativity alive.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m interior designer and I have my own design business. I started my career in Poland (where I am from), and a few years later I moved to California where I continue and develop my business as a designer. Most often I design interiors for clients who are planning to renovate their homes. This is an exciting process for me, even though it requires me to not only be very creative, but to take care of a tremendous amount of detail.
Of course, what I love about my work is the creative process and seeing the change that happens when the new interior is completely transformed and doesn’t resemble the old one!
With these types of larger projects, my relationship with clients lasts for months, and even though I’m an introvert by nature, this is another part of my job that I really enjoy. I love meeting new people, learning more about how they live, what inspires them, what they like – every person is different, has a different story and this is a source of great inspiration for me. I love it when the result of our discussions is an interior designed by me that reflects the character of my clients and is tailored to them.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Open-mindedness and curiosity – In a job that requires creativity and contact with people, I think an open mind and curiosity are very important. With these qualities, I’m constantly open to new ideas, my creativity is expanding. For this, meeting new people and creating interiors for them that are tailored to their own needs and lifestyles requires curiosity and an open mind to create something unique.
Courage – If it weren’t for courage, I probably wouldn’t have decided to start my own business. And if it weren’t for courage, I probably wouldn’t have moved so far away and pursued my career in a new place. Many times I take actions that are difficult for me and outside my comfort zone. However, because of my courage, I’m able to continue to grow
Determination – My determination is also partly related to courage. Having set goals and dreams, I’m often determined to achieve them, even if I encounter various difficulties on my way.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
I’m fortunate that I have always received (and continue to receive) support from my parents. I felt that I could be who I am and who I want to be and grow in the directions that interest me. I believe that this approach of my parents has shaped who I am now and allows me to achieve my goals and dreams. In addition, I remember that from an early age my parents exposed me to art through our various travels, visits to museums, and supporting my creative passions. This definitely influenced my choice of career path!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://marbdesign.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marbdesign/
