Ilya Avakov is a graduate from Shtiglits Arts Academy in Saint Petersburg. He has worked for company BALTIC STM (2006) and has created museums showcases for firm INTERBARCO Military-Sea museum Saint-Petersburg (2006). Currently he is employed in industrial design area. Besides design, his interest lies in playing football and likes to do sketching as well.

More coming up from the designer himself, after a li’le jump,

1. What made you plunge into the automotive designing? How did the journey into the genre actually materialize?

Avakov: I plunge into the automotive designing when was working under my diploma work ZIL-parade. The process of materialization is too slowly because it all depends on some people from Moscow who were interested in my project.

2. I’m curious to know the ‘two-level floor’ which has being developed in the ZIL Parade Concept?

Avakov: The ‘two-level floor’ has being developed in the ‘ZIL Parade Concept’ especially for best survey of the person who is run the whole show. All people look at him & want to see not only his vehicle but his face too. The difference between levels of the floor is 150 mm (equal to 1 step).

3. What is the difference between ZIL 4104 and the ZIL Parade Concept?

Avakov: The new one is much more comfortable & modern. I thought over every detail from color to resistance of materials. White color & standard corresponds to heraldry. Brand new details are space-frame shveller (at the same time it is a step), 2-levels floor, missing details are: out of date radio communication, baggage hold & awning. All finishing materials are new.

4. Developing space-frame using carbon fiber composite materials give a very lightweight structure but employing the present day manufacturing methods, the material lay-up limits the use of a framework approach for all but the most expensive niche vehicles. What do you feel?

Avakov: I agree with you but my car is exclusive & expensive so carbon fiber is fitting in this case. I hope that in near future such materials will have to be much more cheaper.

5. How chassis in case of Rocky would affect its aerodynamics?

Avakov: Chassis in case of Rocky of course decrease its aerodynamics. But velocity is not the main feature in this case. His maximum velocity is 40-50 kmh - it is not bad at all because this is show car, stage for music bands.

6. What do you have to say regarding the present ‘retro-design trends’?

Avakov: The basement of Retro design is classic style that is always interesting. The main thing is sense of good style & knowledge of composition laws, I think. I do not like decorative art in retro style.

7. What type of rendering do you like most? And why?

Avakov: When I heard “rendering” I remember the most popular programs such as 3Ds MAX & photoshop. I was so lucky to study at the Saint-Petersburg State Academy of Art and Design. This is the best place in Russia where you can study in industrial design & the base of any rendering - academic painting. I like free-hand sketches, where you can express your idea.

8. Whom would you tag as the probable competitor products?

Avakov: As the probable competitor products I could only say about thoroughbred horse achal-teke. On the 9th of May 1945 the famous Russian marshal George Jukov was ahead of the parade & he was riding such a horse. This is the great tradition.

9. Do the contemporary cars focus more features and benefits than looks and style, how do you delineate the present market?

Avakov: Yes, during the last 100 years automobile do not change its look & style a lot. I think if only people invent new type of engine it would change the look greatly!

10. What work are you seeing right now that’s blowing you away?

Avakov: As for now I am working on industrial design projects. But I wish I worked on more interesting for me sport design projects.

11. Finally, we’d like to have your say on Auto Motto?

Avakov: Always on the move!

Quick Bits:

Avakov: A creator.

What kind of music you prefer?

Avakov: I like different kind of music, some popular bands of 90 th, rock of 70, 80, 90, also I like Pink Floyd, Queen, Billy band, Russian up-to-date jazz, blues, DDT (the famous Russian group).

If you had to walk in another man’s shoes for a day, it would have to be?

Avakov: It would have to be the boots of a football player.

Describe your style, like a good friend of yours would describe it.

Avakov: The specialty of his style is creation of dozen bright & different sketches. They are of best quality & good sense of style. And the most interesting part is that he uses the basic paper & crayons for the purpose instead of a computer.

If you could choose to make a dream come true, it would be?

Avakov: I want to be a football player.

Thank you Avakov for sparing out time in doing an interview with us, it is greatly appreciated. I’d also like to wish you luck for all your future endeavors.137917