Varna,  15.05.2025 16:15
(BTA)

"Graphic design today is a powerful tool for communication", said in an interview with BTA the lecturer at Varna Free University (VFU) “Chernorizets Hrabar” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Viktor Petkov.

According to him, designers must be excellent communicators, as the visual language is powerful, and understanding it requires sensitivity to the context, cultural characteristics and psychological perceptions. "Training in the specialty at Varna Free University allows students to develop a wide range of skills in subjects such as typography and fond, brand identity, corporate, advertising and product design, illustration, photography, as well as design of printed and electronic publications. It is also important to study contemporary trends in art and design, because knowing them gives students valuable tools for adapting, analyzing and creating innovative solutions related to a specific context", said Petkov, adding that the application of new technologies and trends is an everyday occurrence for practitioners in the sector in order to be competitive and create current and impactful visual solutions.

In the recently opened third national exhibition 'New Bulgarian Typography' in the City Gallery in Varna, 18  third and fourth-year students at VFU, as well as alumni, have taken part. They present 22 of their panels with projects created within the framework of their studies in Graphic Design. According to the lecturer, this is the first such large-scale participation of students in the national exhibition 'New Bulgarian Typography'. "I believe that they are the new generation of graphic designers that are yet to be talked about", added he.

A conversation with Assoc. Prof. Viktor Petkov about trends in global design, their reflection in the training of future specialists, the details of working on a new font, and the important qualities for a graphic designer follows:

Can you recall when the major Graphic Design at VFU "Chernorizets Hrabar" was founded and what disciplines and skills is the training focused on?

- The Graphic Design major has been part of the portfolio of Varna Free University "Chernorizets Hrabar" for 10 years now. It was established as a response to the need for highly qualified specialists in the field of visual communications, and the interest in it among prospective students is growing. This is due not only to the current programme, but also to the active work of the teaching team, the Department of Arts and the management of the Faculty of Architecture. Big names from all areas of art and design, with a large part of them being practitioners in these fields teach at the university. This guarantees training that is theoretically grounded and closely related to current trends and market requirements.

Training in the major enables students to develop a wide range of skills. Disciplines such as typography and fond, brand identity and corporate design, advertising and product design, illustration, photography, as well as design of printed and electronic publications are included. Students acquire technical skills for working with software, conceptual thinking, creativity, teamwork skills and presentation skills. The results are really good - numerous participations in national and international exhibitions with several original book covers and illustrations, original fonts, product packaging, smart product designs. The university supports their creativity and desire to express themselves by assigning real competition tasks and providing an opportunity to present their work at local, national and international exhibitions and biennials. Just a month ago, a student majoring in Graphic Design participated in the International Triennial of Typography in Poland with his font project, also made during the educational process. The author's development is named "VFU" - the international abbreviation of the Varna Free University.

So far, five classes have graduated from the major and we can boast of more than 100 successfully realized alumni who are the true ambassadors of the high level of education at VFU "Chernorizets Hrabar". Some of them willingly accepted the invitation to participate in the exhibition 'New Bulgarian Typography', where they presented their course or diploma projects. This active connection with former students is valuable because it keeps the community around the programme alive and sets an example for future generations.

What do your students present in the exhibition 'New Bulgarian Typography' at the Varna City Gallery?

- The exhibition features 18 third and fourth-year students, as well as alumni, who present 22 of their panels with projects made within the framework of their studies in Graphic Design major at Varna Free University. The students' projects are a snapshot of their typographic experiments, typesetting and decorative fonts, and calligraphy skills. The exhibition is a significant event in which they can show their creative achievements to the Varna public. It is interesting that this is the first such large-scale participation of students in the 'New Bulgarian Typography' exhibition. I believe that they are the new generation of graphic designers who are yet to be talked about. During the opening, they were awarded certificates for their excellent performance from the Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eng. Rositsa Petkova-Slipets.

The exhibition was attended by lecturers in the Graphic Design department at Varna Free University - Assist. Prof. Ani Dimitrova, Iliyan Nachev and myself. It is an absolute pleasure for us to participate together with our students. I would like to thank Boril Karaivanov for the invitation to participate in the third edition of the exhibition 'New Bulgarian Typography' with curator Kiril Zlatkov.


What is the most important thing for future graphic designers and typeface writers – broad awareness, precision, or imagination?

- All three qualities are essential, but their role depends on the specific task and the stage of the creative process. The wealth of knowledge and general culture give space to thought, allowing designers to understand the historical, cultural, creative, psychological and technical aspects, as well as the interrelationships in design.

Precise work is important for technical execution and a successful final result. Mathematical accuracy in the field of typography is an integral part of the creative process. Every detail matters - from the distance between letters, to the proportions of written characters and the balance between empty spaces and solid areas.

Irrational thought is the engine of creativity. Without it, the world of design would be monotonous and predictable - it would not make sense. Imagination inspires the creation of new fonts, experimental visual concepts and unique solutions that make the world of design alive and exciting.

In the Graphic Design major, we strive to teach students to develop their creative and critical thinking, building on the accumulated knowledge and skills acquired throughout their studies at Varna Free University. The individual approach we have towards each student, according to their specific ideas and creative pursuits, is extremely important.

How much work does it take to create a font? What is the most difficult thing? Do students have similar tasks?

- A well-designed font establishes a feeling of ease of the creative process, but the truth is quite different. Creating a font is a laborious and multi-layered process that can take months, and sometimes years. It requires a combination of specific skills and knowledge - creative drive, technical precision, knowledge of the rules and principles of font design. Achieving a balance between functionality and aesthetics is another skill, the basis of which is knowledge in the field of typography and the history of the font.

The participation of our students in the third edition of the exhibition 'New Bulgarian Typography' is the best of their achievements and experiments in the classes in Font and Typography and Calligraphy. Their teacher is Ani Dimitrova - a warm-hearted and dedicated font designer. She is the author of some of the most used, popular and beautiful fonts made in Bulgaria.

Does the wealth of information and new fonts help designers or rather hinder them because of the wide range they have to cover in their knowledge?

- This is a two-way process. The abundance of information, fonts and images can be both an inspiration and a challenge to find direction in the context of graphic design. The intelligence of the creators helps them navigate the almost endless information and visual flow.

And another important thing, designers must be excellent communicators - visual language is powerful, but understanding it requires sensitivity to context, cultural peculiarities and psychological perceptions. They often work on the border between the subjective and the objective.

Do you follow contemporary trends in art and design during the studies at university, do you research them?

- Yes, studying contemporary trends in art and design is important for university education, especially in the fields of graphic design, typography and visual arts. This does not mean that they should be followed uncritically, but knowing them gives students valuable tools for adapting, analyzing and creating innovative solutions related to a specific context. Moreover, in addition to university lecturers, we are also practitioners, so the application of new technologies and trends is an everyday occurrence for us in order to be competitive and create current and impactful visual solutions.

What are the goals and what is the realization of young people who study graphic design in our time?

- Young graphic designers today have a wide range of career opportunities, thanks to the development of digital technologies, social media and globalization in general. One of the main ambitions of graphic design students is to make visual identities that have a real impact – be it for business, social causes or cultural projects. Driven by the desire to tell stories through design, convey emotions and create memorable experiences.
 
The opportunities for their realization are dynamic and multifaceted. Some head to large studios and agencies, where they work in various areas of design. Others prefer the technology sector, where they develop digital products. The freelance scene is also very popular - it allows them greater creative freedom and choice of projects. Graphic design today is a powerful tool for communication and those who know how to balance creativity, function and technology have excellent opportunities for development and success.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Viktor Petkov is a lecturer at the Graphic Design department at Varna Free University “Chernorizets Hrabar”. He delivers lectures on book design, poster design, illustration. He examines the role of graphic design in education and uses the Socratic method as a key approach. He has an impressive artistic career with participation in numerous exhibitions in Bulgaria and abroad, as well as organizing student events. He is actively involved in editorial boards, expert councils and juries related to art and visual culture. He is a member of the Union of Bulgarian Artists.

The exhibition 'New Bulgarian Typography' will be open to the public at the City Art Gallery with free admission as part of the Night of Museums and Galleries in Varna on Saturday.