Guido Formenti

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Guido Formenti ("GF") for their original perspective and innovative approach to design as well as their creative lifestyle, we are very pleased to share our interview with our distinguished readers.

DL: Could you please tell us a bit about your design background and education?

GF : I started creating various decorative objects or useful object for the house such as spoons, cutting boards, ladles or small jewel cases and growing and getting always better I started to create sculpure more elaborate and bigger furnishings

DL: What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?

GF : The desire to always create something new with my hands has been inside me since when I was a little boy and this wish, becoming stronger made me follow this way untill I became a designer.

DL: Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?

GF : I chosed to be a designer, nobody forced me, it was something felt inside.

DL: What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?

GF : I usually design object of daily use, useful things such as various furnishings and I also like art installation.

DL: What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?

GF : I think the sicret is work much as possible, be strong and dedicate the time to what they really whant to do, training and learning more and more.

DL: What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?

GF : I think that is purely subjective.

DL: What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?

GF : I think it is a subjective thing, the most of the time anyone can have different opinion.

DL: What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?

GF : To improve the living comfort and the armony in every places.

DL: What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?

GF : I would love to create art installation of very big size to put in public places such as urban park.

DL: What is the dream project you haven’t yet had time to realize?

GF : My dream project is a massive art installation with a whale shape.

DL: What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?

GF : I believe the sicret is a massive desire to do and never give up.

DL: Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?

GF : Antonio Gaudì Renzo Piano

DL: What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?

GF : I don't have something in poarticular, but i like lots of them because they are interesting desing and they fascinate and inspire me.

DL: What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?

GF : My greatest design is the one called "labirinto" (labyrinth), I love the complexity in it and the sensations you can feel observing it. The feelings and the meaning behind it are very strong and deep.

DL: How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?

GF : I guess the move is keep trying, learning from every mistake.

DL: If you hadn’t become a designer, what would you have done?

GF : forest ranger

DL: How do you define design, what is design for you?

GF : To me, design is everything, design is life.

DL: Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?

GF : My biggest supporter is a dear friend of mine, a Franciscan friar from Modena.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

GF : My faith and confidence in my capacities helped me the most, like always believing in myself.

DL: What were the obstacles you faced before becoming a design master?

GF : I unfortunately had to face lots of obstacles during my way, such a economics difficoulties.

DL: How do you think designers should present their work?

GF : I guess just showing them and maybe explaning the "meaning" and the story behind it.

DL: What’s your next design project, what should we expect from you in future?

GF : I think various art installations.

DL: What’s your ultimate goal as a designer?

GF : My biggest dream as a designer is to become really famous.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

GF : I think because you can express yourself with it.

DL: What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?

GF : I am working on a particular bench with parts of a turtle shell.

DL: Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?

GF : The ones that I struggled the most doing it because it was a reached goal and also the ones I sold because they gave me the possibility to live and keep doing what I love.

DL: What would you like to see changed in design industry in the coming years?

GF : I would like to see more ecology in the design industry.

DL: Where do you think the design field is headed next?

GF : I believe they will start to make art installation in the seas.

DL: How long does it take you to finalize a design project?

GF : It really depends to the creation I' m workin on, it could take from a day to a year, or even more.

DL: When you have a new design project, where do you start?

GF : I always start from a sketch on a piece of paper.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

GF : "SEMPRE AVANTI" (always ahead)

DL: Do you think design sets the trends or trends set the designs?

GF : I think it must not follow any trends or "rule", but it simply has to be a project able to improve what's around us. I think it has to be sobjective, following what we are and we consider beauty, staying pure and unique.

DL: What is the role of technology when you design?

GF : Tecnology does not have space in my design way.

DL: What kind of design software and equipment do you use in your work?

GF : I use just paper and a pencil.

DL: What is the role of the color, materials and ambient in design?

GF : I think it is purely sobjective.

DL: What do you wish people to ask about your design?

GF : I wish to have the space and the possibility to create what I see and feel in the design demand.

DL: When you see a new great design or product what comes into your mind?

GF : I think is really enjoyable to see a new great design, I feel admiration.

DL: Who is your ideal design partner? Do you believe in co-design?

GF : I usually work alone, but I would like someone working with and he/she has to be with a big willpower and interior strenght, but also a lot of desire to do and improve hisself/herself.

DL: Which books you read had the most effect on your design?

GF : The books with the most effect on my designs are the ones about big civilization of the past, such as Egyptians, Maya, Ittiti and Celtic.

DL: How did you develop your skills as a master designer?

GF : "Making mistakes", I believe making mistakes and not stopping on them is the best way to develop yourself, yuo can learn from them.

DL: Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?

GF : Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo Buonarotti.

DL: How do you feel about all the awards and recognition you had, is it hard to be famous?

GF : I actually feel the same, I think I am not different to anyone else.

DL: What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?

GF : My favourite color is red, the place is my home, my favourite food is organic vegetable, my favourite season is summer and my favourite thing is a good pair of shoes.

DL: Please tell us a little memoir, a funny thing you had experienced as a designer?

GF : It was the "A Design Award" in Como, It was interesting and really good to meet other designer, speak with them and see their project.

DL: What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?

GF : The desire to do something new or complete work in progres is what make my days great, I always want to see what I am working on, so this is how I motivate myself.

DL: When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?

GF : No, it wasn't obvious at all, I had a very difficult journey.

DL: What do you think about future; what do you see will happen in thousand years from now?

GF : I see it difficoult if we keep thinking just about ourself, and about design I guess they will make art installation on Mars.

DL: Please tell us anything you wish your fans to know about you, your design and anything else?

GF : I would like them to know my style, understand my way to do and catch what's behind my works.