Davide Mezzasalma

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Davide Mezzasalma ("DM") 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?

DM : My experience in the design world started from the automotive. After the 5 years of art high school in Rome (IT) I studied transportation design in Coventry University (UK) and I got my degree done in Turin (IT) in 2004. My first working experience as car designer was in the FIAT design center, where I had the great experience of working on a production project through all the stages. After this I had the feeling I wanted to explore more, so I switched to the Yacht design field. The more I got involved with design, the more I was fascinated by the craft process, this lead me to get close to furniture and interiors.

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

DM : Since I was a kid I always spent a lot of time drawing and over the years the desire to be able to represent what ever I see or think was more and more consistent. After my art studies the way wasn't completely clear, but I can see now how important for me was and of course still is to combine forms with function. I can say that my choice wasn't completely conscious but driven by an instinctive impulse to express my creativity in a functional and useful way.

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

DM : Is completely clear now that I want to design furniture, my passion for handcrafts and the possibility to realize in first person prototypes gives me immense pleasure.

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

DM : I would recommend to follow the instinct to find the right sector and develop a own personal language. Nobody can find himself looking around, even if is fundamental been aware and well informed of what is happening in the design world, the real challenge is to find deep inside your own way. I strongly believe this is the key to be unique. Also, questioning yourself allows you to keep growing.

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

DM : A good design is definitely meant to make life better in terms of usability. On the aesthetic point of view also contributes to wellness as every object delivers a message. I consider a good design a well done product, so the right choice of materials and a proper manufacturing is a guarantee for a long life span.

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

DM : I think if I didn't become a designer I was definitely going to be involved in some kind of art or crafts, as I particularly enjoy manual activities and being creative.

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

DM : Design is every form of expression that matches formal research with a function. Without getting into a judgmental approach of good or bad, we could say that design is everywhere around us.

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

DM : Fortunately in my life I have always been in contact with people that in different ways taught me a lot. My parents in first place always believed in me and supported me while I was following my passion.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

DM : I find that curiosity has constantly been a great tool to push my limits, this combined with the desire of reaching an always higher level has helped me a lot in my professional growth.

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

DM : I will keep designing furniture, after years of research in different design fields I feel this is my place. I'm currently working on a lamp and a table project, both to be presented during the next London Design Fair edition this September.

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

DM : Being appreciated by most of the people is for sure a goal for every designer. Personally I would add to this the creation of timeless designs and the establishment of a remarkable identity recognized in design history.

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

DM : I'm right now in the middle of a company start up, which is pretty exciting, but requires an immense amount of energies. I've being freelancing for about 10 years after my last experience as employed, recently I felt the need to get into a new stage and work in a more structured environment. This is why I founded “Iron Hive”, a furniture brand which takes the name from my successful modular shelving system. The aim of Iron Hive is to be the vessel and bring to the market an always growing high end furniture collection from my designs.

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

DM : Design in all his forms will evolve following technologies improvements and society needs. In this time of strong sensitization on environment and climatic change I believe that all the unnecessary should be cut away to focus on the pure essence of a product. I believe that synthesis is a keyword in the future of design.

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

DM : Photoshop is for graphics, layouts and images retouching a fundamental tool in the daily working process. Rhinoceros is my favorite 3D software and I use this both in preliminary and final stages. At first I always use to sketch with a pen, but as soon as there is something I find interesting, I bring it into the 3D to study better the shapes and proportions. My favorite part is definitely when the project is close to the end and I can move to my workshop to start building a prototype to see what's the feeling in real.

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

DM : Winning awards is rewarding and very helpful to grow self confidence. Is the prove that I'm going in the right direction. Depending on our the state of mind, being famous can be hard or very easy. In my case personal growth was a fundamental step achieved to be ready for success.

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

DM : This is a question I was asking myself since I'm young. I've always been wondering about future landscapes, infrastructures and most of all, nature. My idea since the beginning is that humans are taking over, so in this prospective, vegetation could not exist anymore in his spontaneous nature, but only thought climatic controlled indoor areas. Considering this as only one of the dramatic consequences of our impact on Earth, perspectives aren't good at all. From what we are experiencing in the last years, nobody can deny that climate is changing. If we don't modify drastically our way of living there will be no humans alive on this planet much before a thousand years from now. In case we do and the changes slow down enough, humans could possibly adapt to a new environment.