DECEMBER 2008
YATZER @ INTRO Bulgarian magazine ( download the article's PDF here )
The December 2008 edition of INTRO, Bulgarian life-style magazine, included an interview of Costas Voyatzis, founder of Yatzer.
English translation of the interview :
Who is Costas Voyatzis?
Costas Voyatzis was born in Athens, Greece, 1980. He commenced his studies in Meteorology at the Physics University of Athens and after two years he joined the design world by concluding a degree in Interior Design. He began his design career in 2003 as a style consultant and design trend setter at one of Greece’s leading interior magazine ‘MAISON & DECORATION’. His passion for the search in the creative world lead him to what is now known as one of the most popular design aware blogs carrying the name Yatzer which was launched on the 21st of January 2007.
Please tell us what you are working on currently?
For the past 6 years I have been involved in one of Greece’s leading interiors magazine, MAISON & DECORATION. My direct role is stylist and my sole description involves numerous photo shoots which I have the exclusive responsibility of the design settings, concepts, locations and products used. Parallel to this I am the founder and editor in chief for Yatzer which is currently experiencing a worldwide demand for upcoming design trends
When do you usually get the inspiration?
My inspiration is driven from the simplicity of life. What most people take for granted in their journey to work, I keep my eyes wide open and get inspired. Images are the prime focus of my work…these can range from a road sign or a neglected neoclassical mansion! Another key aspect of my inspiration is my travels which I experience frequently and in which my senses come to life.
Why did you start Yatzer.com?
Yatzer was born from my 4 words; DESIGN IS TO SHARE. Throughout the years I had created a personal library from various sites consisting items that “I believed” were teasing and dominating the creative world. The decision was primarily based on my drive to share this passion with all the people that wants to experience the same journey.
What do you think about the current design trend?
We live in a world where hardly nothing is original. There are thousands of trends nowadays existing simultaneously and each individual chooses the one that best suits them. My belief has always followed a quote by Frank Lloyd Wright “Freedom is from within”. My interpretation for my domain is “Design is from within”.
What do you think about design industry in your country?
Industrial design is a field that is still under development in Greece. We still need to grow and there need to be a bigger demand for it.
Could you tell us how your working schedule is like?
This is a field that does not have a specific schedule. You can never say that you will work for a number of hours to complete something. Your passionate devotion will determine how long or short your search for a new idea will be.
What do you feel important when you are working on Yatzer.com?
Image visualization is a key factor of the creative mind.
Are there any people who inspired you? Who do you respect?
There are many quotes that I fully relate to given by Albert Einstein. One of them is “Imagination is more important than knowledge”. This is the beginning and the end of what Yatzer stands for.
Could you tell us anything that you think it’s cool at the moment ?
The most important and inspiring aspect at the moment is “THINK GREEN” and I am not talking about money, but our need to be in touch with the thinking of a sustainable environment in all that we create.
Is there any event that are you going to?
As a trend scout I travel internationally throughout the year and attend specific events that derive from all fields in the creative world.
Who is your favorite designer? What is your favorite book?
There are many new designers that I relate to and respect. However there is nothing that can surpass the ultimate strength of an old time classic item such as the Eames Lounge Chair. As far as books are concerned I have recently completed the book “It’s not how good you are, it’s how good you want to be” by Paul Arden.
What is your vision in the future?
It’s a Yatzer’s world! We are currently in the process of planning and implementing several new and exciting features and activities, such as contests, project postings, a member section where members will be able to showcase their work, communicate with other members and also receive certain special membership discounts and treatments, which I at the moment like to keep secret until they are ready to be launched. Yatzer’s vision and aim is to share the world of design…with the world!
Are there any places or countries you would like to visit?
Traveling is my passion. At this stage I am focusing for my next destination to be TOKYO.
Do you have any advice for our readers?
Always browse through the net and search for new things that will inspire you. However never undermine the importance and the feeling of holding a magazine in your hands and going through the pages, reading, tearing, folding and getting sucked into the experience of the essence of touch! Therefore I do believe our online fans will be happy to know that Yatzer is also planning to publish ‘Best of Yatzer’, an annual book featuring my favorite posts throughout the year.
SEPTEMBER 2008
YATZER @ Veuve Clicquot
September 2008, Yatzer was selected as one of the worlds top 6 Design Blogs by Veuve Clicquot, “Grande Dame de la Champagne”. Between 2nd - 4th of September 2008, Costas Voyatzis was amongst one of the 6 bloggers world wide invited to go on an exclusive trip organized by WFG media and visit Veuve Clicquot’s “Chateau” in Reims (champagne region), live the “golden” experience and enjoy their spectacular bubbly!
Read the Veuve Clicquot experience here
JULY 2008
YATZER @ STATUS Greek magazine( download the article's PDF here )
One of Greece’s leading style magazines included a Yatzer presentation in its July 2008 issue.
ABOUT STATUS: The monthly magazine STATUS, published since 1988, is a modern, men’s lifestyle magazine. STATUS projects a high profile, following a strategy of sales promotion to the highest layers of society and of high-level reader’s attraction. It is the leading men’s magazine and is a symbol of prestige.
English translation by Tina Komninou
COSTAS VOYATZIS KNOWS AND FORSEES THE EXCLUSIVE WORLD OF INTERIOR DESIGN
Born to Trend Scout
The making of Interior Design was never easy and throughout the years it has had to deal with many misconceptions. Mr. Stephen Bayley – the first Director of the Design Museum in London had once stated that “Interior design is a travesty of the architectural process and a frightening condemnation of the credulity, helplessness and gullibility of the most formidable consumers - the rich.”
Amongst one of the most talented, loyal and well aware designers out there today, Mr. Costas Voyiatzis, has proven Mr. Bayley’s theory to be incorrect.
He commenced his studies in Meteorological Physics only to discover his true passion for all fields surrounding the world of design, and later completed a degree in Interior Design.
His job description can easily read as the “eye” that can foretell what product, item, couture, appliance or structure will create history or trend and he informs all of his dedicated followers with his beliefs and knowledge. For the past five years Costas is one of the key influences in all design awareness fields as he is responsible for many editorials, photo shoots, styling and general collaborations with many exclusive interior magazines.
Last year he reached the decision to clench his audience and his personal thirst for exclusive design and created one of the most impressive and international design aware sites on the internet carrying the name YATZER. To this day the site has several thousand daily visitors from all over the world who are eager for his recommendations indicating the new, the unique, the exclusive, the all time classic and basically all of his comments that are always awaited by his design addicted viewers. A design addict himself he expresses all of his visions for the future through what can only be described as a virtual design encyclopedia. He travels all over the world and is always amongst the limited exclusive guests that is invited to private viewings and launches of the most powerful design aware companies, giving him priority and full access of new products. For himself this is considered only natural as he informs us that his expectations for his readers are radically high.
This personal thrive for perfection and devotion that Mr. Costas Voyatzis has is what makes his site stand out from many others. His talent for being able to value design and his thorough research living no stone unturned in order to fulfill his passion comes across clearly and strongly.
Through the sense of Style and the awareness of Design lies the most simplistic and clear form of expression.
YATZER has comprehended that and it has taken the form of expression into a completely different level.