Amanda Gerbasi

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Amanda Gerbasi ("AG") 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?

AG : I studied architecture for a short time at a university in Brazil before moving to the UK. Once in the UK I ended up studying languages and literature but soon after graduating I went back to pursuing design. Since then I have completed a variety of courses including gemmology, photography and graphic design.

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

AG : At some point I realised designing/creating had an incredible strong pull for me. Nothing else captures my interest as much as designing.

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

AG : I chose to become a designer and I hope I can continue to be one for a long time.

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

AG : Since starting my brand KATTRI I not only design jewellery but I have learned quite a bit of graphic design and I also enjoy that. However, I love to design unusual very contemporary almost futuristic designs such as the Tetrahedron ring. These types of design are usually very time consuming and are not always the most sellable.

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

AG : Be true to their design aesthetic and be persistent.

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

AG : A good designer creates something that is appreciated for a certain time. A great designer creates something that is appreciated, if not for all time, for a much longer length of time. Because beauty has a universal and long lasting appeal.

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

AG : I think a really good design has a universal kind of beauty. It should also serve its function well and easily. If on top of that it possesses an element of innovation than it is truly a great design.

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

AG : Many studies show that living amongst good design has a positive impact on human psyche. It improves productivity, raises morale and increases the overall quality of life. I believe beauty is something that all humans inherently appreciate. Much like good music, good design enriches life and touches people in a way that might not even realise.

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

AG : I always design for a strong fashion-forward woman. I would love to design for a really big brand that has a lot of resources available, such as Swarovski.

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

AG : I have been wanting to explore this design for earrings inspired by a communication tower designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava that I believe will result in a very unusual and exciting pair of earrings!

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

AG : I like many of the modernist designers such as Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe and Arne Jacobsen and from our contemporaries I like Philippe Stark and specially Zara Hadid.

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

AG : I love Philippe Stark and Eugeni Quitllet Masters Chair which combines three chair silhouettes from different modernist masters. Anything designed by Zara Hadid looks amazing, including her still not executed buildings. These are some of the designers that in mu opinion are advancing the aesthetics of their industry. Their are real visionaries.

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

AG : Practice.

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

AG : If I hadn't become a designer I believe I would have become a literary translator. I love the challenge of having to translate a language with all its specific cultural references into another one. Its not only about knowing the languages themselves but the history and culture of their countries.

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

AG : I would define design as the capacity to imagine forms (in varied industries) that present an aesthetic value while still fulfilling their function well.

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

AG : My parents are great and have always supported me. My life partner has also helped me and taught me a lot and helps me to keep believing in myself when times are tough.

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

AG : I intend to produce collections with a more accessible price points in silver. I will keep designing complex avant-garde pieces to be made in precious metals which will be available for sale, however, I will only produce these on demand.

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

AG : I would love to be able to created beautiful innovative designs for a very long time and to make a comfortable living from this work. I also like to imagine my designs being relevant and appreciated hundreds of years from now.

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

AG : I am excited about starting to work with silver as I will be able to make bigger pieces.

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

AG : I think the Tetrahedron ring with which I have won this award is a very satisfactory project. It was very challenging and time consuming and not only I was incredibly happy with the final but it has been well appreciated by other people too!

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

AG : I like to start by looking for references in other fields such as light fixtures and furniture design.

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

AG : I think this is like the chicken or the egg dilema. I believe in the existence of a collective unconscious and as our society changes our aesthetic also changes. I would say design and trends, therefore, walk hand in hand. Both influence one another and both help our aesthetic to progress.

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

AG : Knowing the manufacturing technologies available in the jewellery industry allows me to design certain forms or in a way that it wouldn't be possible if these technologies did not exist.

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

AG : I use a PC for the 3D CAD/CAM software and imac with Microsoft creative suite for graphic design and photo editing. I also have a good Canon camera and small light/studio set (as all my photography is done in house).

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

AG : Colour, materials and ambient are capable of creating a specific mood or atmosphere. The use of light colours in a design it will produce different results than the use of dark colours and will most likely give raise to different kinds of emotions in the user/viewer.

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

AG : "Can I buy it?"

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

AG : "Amazing! Who was the genius that designed that?" or "I wish I had designed that!"

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

AG : Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha.

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

AG : First of all I am not famous and second I haven't won very many awards. I am hoping this award is going to help me promote my work and thus provide me with more business opportunities.

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

AG : I don't really have a favourite colour, I love colour in general but I have noticed I have a lot of clothes in a kid of purple/burgundy sort of colour. For gemstone I am more attracted to greens and blues.

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

AG : I have this friend who always helps me in exhibitions and trade fairs and whenever someone comes to enquire about the jewellery they always think she's the designer, they never think is me!

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

AG : My day is great if I have no pressing issues and can totally focus on designing. It is an even better day if I feel I had a great idea for a design or if I have been able to translate and arrive at a great final design.

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

AG : I am sad I will miss the unimaginable technological advances and the changes they will bring in the way we live. The innovations in materials and manufacturing will take the possibilities of design to new heights.