Eduardo Baroni

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Eduardo Baroni ("EB") 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?

EB : I graduated in Industrial Design at the Fine Arts school in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

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

EB : As a child I always tried to create my own toys. I used parts of broken toys to build new ones. I also liked to disassemble anything I could to see how it worked and sometimes even fix it. I liked to create new things, to imagine new functions for existing products.

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

EB : When it was time to choose my professional there were no doubt that I would study to become a designer.

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

EB : I design furniture. Residential and contract furniture.

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

EB : Never give up and always be curious.

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

EB : A good designer makes good products. A great designer creates new ideas.

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

EB : A good design should comunicate its values creating conection with people.

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

EB : Good design comunicates with people, creates links and identity. A product with a soul.

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

EB : I wish I could design everything.

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

EB : My dream home.

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

EB : Passion and persistence

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

EB : Michael Thonet, Verner Panton, Marcel Breuer... The list is endless

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

EB : Panton chair. It´s simple, it´s gorgeous, it´s functional, it´s timeless.

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

EB : Hard to choose a

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

EB : Always be curious, never be satisfied.

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

EB : Probably a frustrated person.

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

EB : Design for me is comunication. Designing a peace of furniture involves creating a conection between manufacturer, stores and final consumer. A product must say something about itself, about it´s owner and about it´s manufacturer. When you are looking for a chair you are not just looking for something to seat on. Instead you are going to buy the chair that best comunicates with you the values that it stands for. You are looking for a chair that relates to who you are.

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

EB : My family.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

EB : Curiosity and hard work.

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

EB : Finding people that believed in my work.

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

EB : Telling the ideas it should transmit.

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

EB : Make exciting projects and have a meaningfull life.

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

EB : That´s not actually something I can answer,

DL: How does design help create a better society?

EB : Creating things that exists for a good reason.

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

EB : 3d printed furniture.

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

EB : The ones people likes to use it.

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

EB : Less products and more quality.

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

EB : It should head to responsible design.

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

EB : It depends a lot from project to project.

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

EB : Thinking a lot. Before start drawing there´s a lot of thinking.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

EB : Design something people actually need.

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

EB : Great design sets the trends. Poor design is guided by the trends,

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

EB : It´s one of the grounds when you start a project.

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

EB : Nothing special. Paper, pens, image sofware and CAD software

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

EB : Everything is linked to form a unity.

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

EB : I should have thought of that!

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

EB : I usually work alone in the conceptual design process and then with the furniture company team of engineers and prototype makers to go from the aproved design concept to the final product.

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

EB : Woodworkers.

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

EB : Working and learning.

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

EB : Da vinci.

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

EB : I don´t want to be famous. I want my products be famous.

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

EB : I like when the ideas flow.

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

EB : NO. Not at all. But there were already some signs...

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

EB : I don´t have good feeling for the future.

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

EB : I do what I do because I love it. And I love it when people like my work. It makes me proud and greatfull.