Ascanio Zocchi

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Ascanio Zocchi ("AZ") 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?

AZ : I trained at the state art school of Verona, to continue my studies with a degree in industrial design at the USR University of Rome, over the years I have gained experience in the management of construction sites and as a production and office manager. design in manufacturing companies of custom-made furniture for hotels, shops, offices and household items.

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

AZ : my work as a designer is also my passion, designing makes me happy. being able to create environments and objects useful for everyday life makes me satisfied and satisfied.

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

AZ : the choice to become a designer came naturally, from a passion for drawing and painting and art, completing my cycle of studies, I arrived at the profession of designer by merging technique and art within my projects.

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

AZ : I design houses and design things, I like interiors, designing harmonious environments, combining aesthetics and natural materials, creating spaces that are comfortable for their functions and beautiful to the eye, harmony first of all. I also like to create objects for the home, marrying form and function, simple and functional objects with harmonic shapes.

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

AZ : they must be curious, and always study even when the cycle of studies is over. culture in the project is fundamental. They must love their work, indeed work must be a passion.

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

AZ : I don't know how to answer, the good designer is the one who observes things and solves problems through the project, the great designer is the one who has done a great job of passion in designing in his life.

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

AZ : good design is the project that blends form and function, emotion and passion.

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

AZ : design is about making things pleasurable to the senses, making every daily action enjoyable, making people feel good.

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

AZ : for everyone, design is everywhere

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

AZ : to design a car

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

AZ : the secret ingredient is passion.

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

AZ : Bruno Munari, Enzo Mari and the whole Bauhaus design group

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

AZ : minimal, functional, simple design, simplicity is the secret of success

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

AZ : when art and poetry enter design, being able to tell an object, the object is told, it carries a message or a story.

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

AZ : follow your dreams

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

AZ : the artist

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

AZ : design is project, design is daily life

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

AZ : my parents

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

AZ : the strength to go on even when I had many difficulties, the king to invent myself, the curiosity of the child in me

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

AZ : difficulties of all kinds, economic at the beginning, gaining experience by investing time, making yourself known to the market

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

AZ : with passion and conviction without neglecting a good dose of humility

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

AZ : projects with glass, I am fascinated by the transparency of the material

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

AZ : live happy by making others happy

DL: What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?

AZ : I don't know, you have to ask them

DL: How does design help create a better society?

AZ : doing his job well, studying the needs of society and proposing valid projects

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

AZ : to a transparent project ... I'll tell you later

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

AZ : the interior design of bars and hotels, hospitality is fundamental for me and designing for clients on vacation or relaxing is very pleasant.

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

AZ : more social vision and attention to the environment

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

AZ : I hope that in the next few years there will be a limit to the creation of useless objects with only the desire to amaze but we will return to the real philosophy of the designer linked to form and functionality, to the useful and beautiful.

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

AZ : it depends on the project

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

AZ : from the customer's request, from his needs

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

AZ : it is the function that defines the design, the demands of the company must define the design.

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

AZ : various from the CAD project to freehand artistic techniques

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

AZ : fundamental

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

AZ : what their needs are, what they need

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

AZ : the beauty, the success of a dream

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

AZ : materials and technology

DL: Which people you interacted had the most influence on your design?

AZ : customers their needs to make a good design you have to work for those who will use that object, that environment.

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

AZ : all those of history and philosophy of design

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

AZ : working and doing a lot of research

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

AZ : with designers who have made history

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

AZ : I am very pleased, the awards bring new energy

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

AZ : the blue, the nature, the food everything, the spring wooden objects and the brand I would not know in the design everyone has done something good

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

AZ : the happiness of a client of mine when I designed his bar for him, he hugged me and told me that I had designed his dream for him.

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

AZ : watching and observing nature, and drawing inspiration from it

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

AZ : I didn't think so

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

AZ : I don't know, I think everything will be different, one thing is certain that the design will still be there

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

AZ : I would like them to remember that to make a good project, a good design requires passion, tenacity and curiosity