Emanuele Grittini

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Emanuele Grittini ("EG") 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?

EG : Since high school I have undertaken an artistic direction, therefore, I have always been immersed in the environment of design and art. During the first years of study I discovered Graphic Design and from that moment I became passionate about the material in all its facets. After high school I graduated in Graphic Design at the IED in Milan completing my training and expanding my skills on the subject to make it, as well as a great passion, my work.

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

EG : It makes me happy and allows me to express myself.

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

EG : I chose with conviction and decision in the first person.

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

EG : The two main areas in which the study excels are the Brand Design and the UX-Ui (User Experience and User Interface), of course we also deal with other areas related to graphics, such as publishing, motion and advertising. The Firm is always growing and does not mention bringing us new surprises and new stimuli every day to create projects always on the cutting edge and with unique connotations.

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

EG : Study a lot and experiment as well.

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

EG : The commitment and constancy that is put into planning.

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

EG : The design must work for the type of request formulated by the customer and must communicate the message in the best possible way.

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

EG : Because it avoids being misunderstood and communicating as best as possible by increasing brand value.

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

EG : I could not choose

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

EG : My site, we are like the shoemakers, we go down the street with our broken shoes.

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

EG : Dedication and preparation

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

EG : I can not answer, for me every designer can give me inspiration, I do not have models and fixed characters of reference, I think that would limit my ability to create.

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

EG : I do not know, there are so many that to mention only a few seems to me unfair

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

EG : Until now, my favorite design is Feralhorses' Brand Identity, a true all-round experience where the client, very proactive, has become a part of the creative process, giving life to something unique and made to measure. Moreover, this project has also represented a chance to experiment with new techniques and to expand my cultural baggage given the multiculturality of the client.

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

EG : Continue to study, stay up-to-date and live this job as a passion and not an obligation

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

EG : The Genius Bar technician at the apple store

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

EG : Design, in my specific field, is the ability to design a medium that communicates in an effective, recognizable and creative way the message that the client wants to transmit so that it is perceived in the same way by all users.

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

EG : My family and myself

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

EG : A lot of passion and dedication

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

EG : The obstacles of every job, neither more nor less.

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

EG : Obviously at best, but sometimes it's difficult, I understand it.

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

EG : I hope good things, I can not talk about new projects, it's too early ...

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

EG : Win an A' Design Awards

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

EG : That always gives the best in every project

DL: How does design help create a better society?

EG : Helping to communicate and allowing to understand each other

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

EG : Professional secret...

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

EG : All the projects I have done have given me satisfactions, otherwise I would not have even faced them and brought them forward.

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

EG : I do not know

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

EG : Design is a subject in continuous evolution, it is impossible to predict its evolution with precision, but not even in approximation because it meets the needs of users and the creativity of the single designer who is unpredictable.

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

EG : It depends on the project, it is almost impossible to quantify an exact timing for me, also given the variety and type of projects that I have carried out and still perform.

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

EG : From moodboards, but even before a solid contract between me and the customer.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

EG : Eat, sleep, Design. Repeat

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

EG : Both things are the becoming of the other in the same.

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

EG : It is an extension of my mind that allows me to realize what I think

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

EG : Adobe Suite, Sketch App, Axure RP, and many other software

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

EG : I think they are all fundamental roles especially in my field

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

EG : They should not have questions, good design is self-explanatory.

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

EG : It occurs to me that I would like to congratulate the proponent of the project.

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

EG : My imac, is a great partner, for now it is enough for him

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

EG : The whole world, I have never focused on specific people, only my former professors can be considered direct influencers in my training that have given me a lot and from which I have always drawn wise advice.

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

EG : No books in particular

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

EG : With much study, dedication, passion and a good dose of errors.

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

EG : The man or woman who invented writing, to understand how he codified the first glyphs

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

EG : I do not feel famous, the prizes are pleasing, but there are always better designers than us to aspire to.

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

EG : Green lawn, sofa, pizza (the real one found only in Italy), winter, apple.

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

EG : I have no special funny memories that might interest you

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

EG : My day becomes fantastic and motivating every day, I always think positive!

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

EG : I would say no, I wanted to be a grocer or a robot builder ...

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

EG : I know the future, but I will not tell you anything, the first rule of time travel.

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

EG : To always believe in themselves and in their passions.