Тhese are photos with moments that show the very beginning of the way I took and the creation of something priceless for me. Laying the foundations of an idea that continues and has never stopped developing, regardless of mistakes and obstacles along the way. Without committing that what you see is the right way, no – this is my way. Each of us moves in such a way, and this is the right choice. Individual moments from this already passed 15-year cycle, but from the point of view of a new phase of development – the 3rd year of a new 15-year cycle. Of course there is a far greater backstory, but that is a completely different topic. It’s part of my nature, something I love that I keep improving and building on, but it’s built me as a professional as well as a person.

The main stage of the road started in June 2004. The idea of Solo Form as a brand arose in my mind among countless intentions. It was quite clear that I wanted to go in the direction of creating different developments, without limitations, generating the potential to develop different types of products over time. Over time – I created my own process and methodology for solving problems. Product design, and subsequently product development, showed me that they are my answers for developing my idea without limiting me, having a wide range of action. A vast universe and a challenge to this day for me that has never scared me, but rather stimulated and challenged me to discover what I can do and how far I can go. Of course, in this freedom there is also a huge responsibility for everything I do and leave behind. I laid the foundation for building something that constantly gives me feedback – where I am and what percentage of my development I am at. Based on this assessment, which I am doing now in the 18th year of my development path, I have assessed how far I can go. Until the “maximum level of growth” I have enough time, in this regard I have taken into account various objective factors and arguments.

In my opinion – whenever you follow a logical path, you should be objective, if you can’t, you should learn to be so, no matter how long it takes. It is necessary to isolate your ego, your imaginary ideas about some things and the self-delusions in which you have lived. You need to ignore the “deliberate flattery” or “excessive humiliation” from different types of people, and objectively analyze the assessments of you, the environment in which you are, work and live. To understand where you have been, where you are now and where you want to be. You need to see those realities to which you strive and for which you must be responsible with all your actions. Taking into account a number of your mistakes and the circumstances surrounding the stages of development, as well as the real arguments for continuing to go your way. All this gives you a clear idea of the possibilities you have, as well as what you still need to show to yourself and only then to others. This is a strictly individual awareness, in front of which one must be very real when looking at oneself – without censorship and unnecessary glossing. There comes a point when you just have to look at a few photos and figure out exactly what you need to do from here on out…

Photo 1:

The photo is from 2005, in the city of Ruse. My first and own workshop – one of several such places over the years that I adapted into garages and premises. But this one is special for me and “my way”. The one on the right – in the green clothes – is my mercy. The other, who is more decently dressed than me – a fellow student and friend who came to do “various things”. Every beginning starts in garages and workshops, so nothing has been different for me. This is logical, but for people who are on the true and consistent “way”, which is slow, difficult, seemingly impossible, but conscious and desired. Walking in one direction, following the logic of what’s in your mind and longing for it badly. In the same year, I graduated from the “Industrial Design” specialty – at “Angel Kanchev” University of Ruse, and in 2006 I appeared for the diploma defense, for that abbreviation in front of my name “eng.”. So, in the same year – I simultaneously left one university and entered the “second university” – the workshops. I won’t deny that it was helpful in both my personal and professional development. This beginning cannot be forgotten and passed over. The foundation on which I built all that I continue to build and leave behind. If the walls of this workshop “could talk”, they would have something to tell…

Photo 2:

The photo is from 2006, in the city of Ruse. A local newspaper (in “Utro” newspaper) published our project – “Vehicle for the disabled” – – https://solo-form.com/en/project/vehicle-for-disabled/. With this project we “stepped into the deep end” – five people, which we formed a small team. They have remained my friends to this day. The initiator of the project was Assoc. Petko Mishev – unfortunately he is no longer alive – one of my mentors and close friends. The project started in the fall of 2004 and finished in the winter of 2006. In addition to the experience I gained, it was also the project through which I earned my bachelor’s degree. My first so-called joint project. I now call them “partner projects”. Back then, this popular word “startups” didn’t exist. It was not just a “startup” or a “project”, but a real foundation of “my way”, as well as of my overall philosophy, way of thinking and my own process, which I built subsequently. My “baptism of battle” professionally, and at the same time predetermined many of my next steps over the years – in the field of product design, product development and product innovation. Directions that I am still developing with the Solo Form brand – https://solo-form.com/en/home/.

Photo 3:

The photo is from 2014, in the city of Plovdiv. This photo is “iconic”. 🙂 Apparently my desire here was in excess. This is what the desire to make a product leads to. 🙂 What is behind me is related to this project – https://solo-form.com/en/project/aerodynamic-panel-box-van-trailer/. They really wanted to immortalize this memorable moment in a photo, never mind that I had already cleaned up a bit…:) Otherwise, it was my penultimate year of that stage of development with the “workshops”. A year later – in 2015, – before my departure to Sofia, I had already finished the “custom products” and “workshops” stage. Towards the end of this stage, there were some interesting custom products that I made for specific clients. Some of the many, you can see here – https://solo-form.com/porachkovi-produkti/ Of course, when given the opportunity – I participate in some stages of building test models, products and prototypes, but in a much more specific direction and with a certain approach in the design process – https://solo-form.com/en/services/.

Photo 4:

Photo 5:

The photos are from 2014 – in the city of Sofia. We presented a joint project, with a partner in two more projects – eng. Todor Nestorov. We participated in a kind of exhibition – for inventors and innovators, with various developments of their own and possible future products. The event was held at the NDK, on the initiative of the “Union of Inventors in Bulgaria” – “Inventions, Transfer, Innovations” ITI ‘2014. It is about the “System For Energy Savings” project. It has undergone significant transformation and development – from 2014 to today – https://solo-form.com/en/project/system-for-energy-savings/. During this project, we developed another one, which is a continuation of the concept of using residual energy from hot water. The “Bathroom System” project was born in 2015 – https://solo-form.com/en/project/bathroom-system/. These are real innovations, but at the same time products that solve a specific problem. A product tested over the years and working in specific conditions – substantiated with operation, data analysis and real indicators. Besides its basic concept of “regenerating heat energy from waste hot water”, it also has a social element. The effect can be felt if it enters buildings en masse.

Photo 6:

The photo is from 2016, in the city of Sofia. Preparation for product photos of a product with my partner in this project – Vencislav Angelov. The project is “Multifunctional crutch” – https://solo-form.com/en/project/disability-aids-equipment/. The place is “Business Park Sofia”, in that nice garden, with the lake in the middle. I am trying to imitate a person with a lower extremity injury. We had to put an immobilizing splint – to immobilize the lower limbs. Between the corporate offices of the IT sector in Bulgaria, it is most appropriate to photograph a crutch, you know that from me. 🙂 They looked amazed, as if we were shooting a photo model, but it was just a crutch. 🙂 Nothing that there is a patent issued for an invention and maybe there is no competing product in this area, but that’s another topic. I have a favorite quote by Brian Reed – “Everything is designed. Few things are designed well.” Product types are divided into low-value, medium-value and high-value. Let’s say that the “crutch” is accepted as a standard and low-value product. But this is a mistake, because it solves problems, and real ones. Even in a similar product there can be innovation to be developed in different directions. As I mentioned…”Everything is designed. Few things are designed well.” 😉

Photo 7:

The photo is from 2017, in the city of Sofia. We presented a joint project with another partner of mine – Vencislav Angelov. We participated in an exhibition with the project “Multifunctional crutch” – https://solo-form.com/en/project/disability-aids-equipment/. This was the “I, the Engineer” event in 2017, which was held at the “Inter Expo Center” in parallel with “MachTech & InoTech Expo”. In addition, I took part in a block of presentations by various specialists and entrepreneurs, with different topics. I participated with a specific topic that I had announced in advance – “Product design and its role in innovation”. This event unfortunately no longer exists, but it is one of the best of this type held in Bulgaria, if not the best. Because of the specifics and the theme, it was worth it – innovations and developments. Something that is extremely useful for the economy and business in Bulgaria. In view of the future development of various types of industries and spheres in the economy, in which the implementation of innovations, the generation of added value and intensive diversification should be intensively developed. The creation of added value is the most important part of an economy.

Photo 8:

Photo 9:

The photo is from 2019, in the city of Sofia. In the process of designing and developing a product. As you can see from the picture…I have changed too. When a person follows a logical path and purposefully goes towards something, then changes are inevitable – of any nature. A completely normal and constructive process for the person himself as he goes along his way of growth. The place and setting are not important, because over time they can always improve. I will share when the time is right because there are enough changes to come. The directions, goals, priorities and diversification of Solo Form in different directions continues – https://solo-form.com/en/home/.

To be continued…