Tiago Curioni

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Tiago Curioni ("TC") 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?

TC : I had a very open mind childhood and my parentes allways encouraged me in art field. My dad used to have a small wood atelier with a lot of tools and teach me how to use it. I think that at this point I had already created a strong interest in build things, especially, things I can use at my day-by-day. We still have a farm, where I spend most parto f my childhood, surrownded by my cousings and with a lot of space and a loto f creativity. We used to play constructing little wood cabins where we spend the nights. At the school, I want to study Business and work for some global company. Actually, I had no idea about architecure or design. At my last year at school I met a teacher which was open a new class: Architectural language. I give a chance to this class and just knew at the first class that Architecture will be my occupation. I graduated in Architecture in 2006, work for some of the best architecture and interior design studios in São Paulo and in 2010 decided to open my own architecture studio and more recently, I create a product design department inside.

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

TC : The possibility of creating something from zero is intoxicating and I especially can not wait too long to see the work finished. I'm always looking to finish my prototype as soon as possible. The feeling also to create something that people will use and interact for years is something that motivates me too.

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

TC : Even in school, I had a preparatory drawing class for architecture school. It was there that all the historical baggage of my childhood made sense to my creative vein. I was always supported by my family who encouraged me all the time.

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

TC : I design mostly furniture and lamps for my own architectural projects. This provided me to create a wide range of products. Currently I seek to create a line of jewelry, something new for me.

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

TC : Be curious and never settle for a no. Someone is looking for you.

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

TC : Humility to help and teach the younger ones. Open doors for the talents and inspire other colleagues.

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

TC : Good design is essential and it makes sense for people. We should not be confused with the artdesign that can often only be appreciated.

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

TC : Good design should be smart, cost the honest value and respect the environment.

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

TC : I would like to design furniture for major brands and perhaps produce items that could be produced by poor people so they could support them.

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

TC : Design my angel bench polypropylene.

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

TC : Be curious and pushy and have good connections.

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

TC : Jader Almeida, Nendo, Matthias Pliessining

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

TC : I like products with clean and simple designs, basically, everything that adopts these precepts, I enjoy.

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

TC : I do not have a favorite design. I believe the best is what is being developed at the moment.

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

TC : I believe that by researching the roots of your country's design a lot and seeking different solutions from what has been presented so far.

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

TC : I´ll be a chef cuisine.

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

TC : Design is to solve people's everyday problems with products that are long-lasting, easy to store and that can be inviting to use.

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

TC : My parents, not designers, but great encouraging people.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

TC : Too much wrong. Whoever makes a mistake, learns on the second time. Whoever does not make errors, does not advance.

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

TC : Find companies that believed in design, in my work and that understood the importance of hiring a designer.

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

TC : I believe with prototypes. There is nothing more tedious than just presentations with pictures and texts.

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

TC : I'm developing the Table of Life. This is a unique table and I guarantee it is very innovative.

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

TC : Become known around the world and draw products of any kind.

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

TC : Different products to each collection. People want to be surprised.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

TC : O design pode salver vidas se esse for o objetivo. Alguns produtos são de suma importancia.

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

TC : The Life Table and will surprise a lot of people.

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

TC : The rocking chair Noemia as it is a tribute to my grandmother Noemia.

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

TC : A greater recognition of the designer's work.

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

TC : I believe that the designer must assume the most important positions in the companies, for being a professional with a global vision and flexible answers.

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

TC : This is relative, but between 1 month and 1 year.

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

TC : All my projects begin with a quick sketch by hand and then a small scale model.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

TC : If you do not do it today, someone else will do it tomorrow.

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

TC : I believe that there is a partnership between both concepts.

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

TC : Almost none.

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

TC : Autocad, and others image software.

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

TC : Some of my products are produced for the color to be its differential. This is the case of the Velvet chair, available in more than 60 different colors.

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

TC : Where did you look for inspiration?

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

TC : Why did not I think of that before?

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

TC : Yes, we believe in partnerships and the designer should, above all, complement my skills and visualize details that I have not yet seen.

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

TC : Anyone can influence the work of a designer, from a baker to a gallery owner.

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

TC : I really like books about Scandinavian design.

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

TC : Time and mistakes are our greatest teachers.

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

TC : I definitely would like to meet Achille Castiglioni.

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

TC : Prizes are never enough for those who do not stop producing. We want more.

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

TC : I like white, sushi and autumn in Brazil. My favorite place is Cernobio, near Como.

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

TC : My first lamp exploded and left us without electricity for a whole day. I learned how to better isolate the wires.

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

TC : I like to seek inspiration in the streets, in people who move int eh cities, life in general.

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

TC : Maybe not for me, but certainly for my parents.

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

TC : Our world will be over 1000 years from now, we will find a way to destroy it in one way or another, unfortunately.

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

TC : The work of a designer is only complete when he is known, so, if you like my work, please kindly share and help us spread it.