I’m so delighted to have an interview with Jovan Lakic, one of the Crocoblock users, who wants to share his experience with our community. No less, no more, let’s get started!
Could you please introduce yourself first?
I’m Jovan Lakic, a multidisciplinary designer and owner of General Condition. During the past 12 years of my career, I specialized in brands and identities, art direction, and website design and development. For the last seven years, I’ve been part of the Valletta Film Festival as Head Designer.
I’ve noticed you have an Awwwards profile; where do you find inspiration for your works?
This year I’ve chosen to be part of the Awwwards Jury Team, and I’ve been a fan of Awwwards for a long time. It was the place to go when looking for inspiration. Also, Savee.it website, which is a kind of mood board platform, where you can browse and save curated inspiration from designers worldwide.
I understand each of your websites is an artwork, but could you please share the one you are proud of the most?
Oh, General Condition website for sure. For years I didn’t have a website, then for many years, I had this one-page project carousel, let’s call it, website.
It’s sometimes so hard for a designer, for some reason, to create their digital presentation, a website, or even a social media profile to present their work.
Ultimately, I came to the idea of starting the studio and showing the beautiful designs I created in the past years. It took me solid 4 to 5 months to design and build the final version of General Condition. And it paid off. We won multiple awards and recognitions and plenty of features since.
How many people do you have in your design studio?
One of the people who motivated and inspired me to challenge myself and start General Condition studio is my business partner and fellow designer, Stefan Kokovic.
He was already starting his creative studio in Vienna at that time, Milkink Creative Studio, besides having already established and prominent career as a photographer. So, he was the support I needed. We have been working together since.
Also, we work with many talented designers, photographers, animators, SEO, and marketing experts on a project basis. Having a remote team nowadays has become pretty much standard.
The photoshoot we recently did in Stefan’s studio in Vienna to promote our studios and new work.
Where do you find clients?
Mostly recommendation. But we are also collaborating with other creative studios. Just a few years ago, it wasn’t that common for creative studios to have a (creative) collaboration and to work together on a project. But things are definitely moving forward, and we are experiencing this ‘new’ way of approaching the work. Plus, winning Website of the Year truly helps. Thank you, Elementor. 😊
What are your top 5 website design tools?
As an architecture student, my go-to tools were Illustrator and Photoshop. They still are 15+ years later. And, of course, Elementor, when it comes to web design and development. But that’s pretty much it. I really feel that each designer should use whatever works for them, as long as they deliver good work.
How long have you been using Crocoblock products?
I believe it’s been four years now, since 2018. It’s my go-to companion when it comes to website design and development. 99% of our projects are built with the Croco family. Also, I have to say I have the best experience with Crocoblock support — shoutout to Julia and Victoria.
Which JetPlugins are you using the most? Which features do you like in JetPlugins?
JetEngine – the best tool I have ever seen. Then JetElements, JetTricks, JetTabs, and JetSmartFilters. Creating CPTs with JetEngine was a true game-changer. We got the ability to develop genuinely complex and super-designed structures. And all of these tools are getting more intuitive and easy to use, which is super important.
What I appreciate about Crocoblock is that they constantly improve and upgrade their products and services. They are creating more possibilities for designers and developers to create whatever comes to their minds.
What could you recommend to the newbie designer?
Always be creative, make new things every day, be inspired by the world around you, work hard and believe in yourself. Always remember: “Imagination is an endless possibility.”
Anything you’d like to share with Crocoblock Community?
Get your Crocoblock Lifetime license. 😅
