Franco Pupillo

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Franco Pupillo ("FP") 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?

FP : I trained at the Art Institute of Pistoia and later at the Faculty of Architecture in Florence. At the same time at the university I opened the office and for the first few years I worked and studied simultaneously, so I can say that I learned by doing.

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

FP : With design I can express myself, I can pull out my features. I became a designer because I had a predisposition to drawing, to geometry and a passion for the material, all characteristics that led me to this profession.

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

FP : I decided to become a designer when I realized what my passions and abilities were, I simply followed my nature.

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

FP : I like starting from an idea of geometry, with balance and possibly symmetrical. In this moment I love to design stands and shops, but I like every kind of project, every time it's an adventure that allows me to do what I love.

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

FP : Work with passion, try to learn to improve every day. Skills can be developed, the important thing is to decide who we want to be, to become one.

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

FP : Certainly the natural abilities, but also the awareness of one's abilities and the will to do great things. Even training and having good collaborators helps to make better projects, but the thing that most indicates the level of ability is the success of the projects.

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

FP : Good design becomes excellent if all the features are centered, style, form, material, but also function and utility.

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

FP : Good design is a great investment that pays off and gets excellent results, this is enough to explain why you have to invest in design.

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

FP : I would have liked to design a train, to deal with problems like reliability and comfort. Make the wagons become a livable and pleasant space.

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

FP : I'd like to design a new, functional commercial environment that can interact with online sales without losing the charm of "shopping”. Another project of my dreams is to design a golf course, my favorite sport.

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

FP : Research, information to understand the company philosophy and the desire to create something unique, iconic, with the help of the matter.

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

FP : There are many, some of the most interesting are Raymond Loewy, Philippe Starck, Zaha Hadid and Calatrava.

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

FP : I am attracted by the soft shapes of Zaha Hadid and by the essential and sinuous signs of Calatrava.

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

FP : Speaking of a project awarded by A'Design Award, I can say that the CROMIA stand has a personality that, while maintaining its forms, seems new to every edition because the walls change every time in harmony with the new collections.

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

FP : The recipe I know to improve is to work seriously with passion, always trying to give the best of myself.

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

FP : I don't know, I never thought of doing another profession. I like what I do because every time I do something new.

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

FP : Design is something that improves an object with aesthetics and functionality, giving it value.

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

FP : The trust of the clients who entrusted me work even when I was at the beginning of my activity and the consents received.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

FP : The passion that pushed me to develop my skills and the desire to realize myself in this sector.

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

FP : I don't remember any particular obstacles, I have always faced the problems related to work with pleasure.

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

FP : In my opinion it is necessary to present the works with very real drawings, the clients cannot imagine what the designer sees. And it is very important to accompany the projects with the materials you intend to use.

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

FP : We have started an important project with Zampiere, a Spanish company of quality male footwear, classic and sneakers. A path with a new identity to enhance the brand and increase international markets. We have developed a strategy that involves the support of a stylist to give more personality to the shoes, therefore the presence in the fairs with a higher image and then the development of single-brand stores in the most important European, Asian and American cities.

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

FP : My goal is to grow and improve my level to make more important projects. I would like to tackle new projects especially abroad.

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

FP : I think they are expecting valuable projects, which give emotion, that communicate beauty and charm.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

FP : Design improves our life because it gives personality and beauty to the function of the objects we use every day. Beauty gratifies and makes us feel better.

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

FP : We have just finished the project of the shop-in-shop of Melluso footwear. The first store is going very well, sales have increased considerably and the company policy is to aim in this direction.

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

FP : The CROMIA stand had a lot of success, so much so that with the same concept we also created the stores in Milan and Rome. The satisfaction has been to see sales increase considerably, this gives me satisfaction, a project that gives results.

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

FP : Greater responsibility towards sustainability, with the search for materials suitable for combating pollution deriving from the products we use.

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

FP : Evolution leads us to look for style by simplifying forms and functions. Just think of smartphones, objects that have many functions with an essential form.

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

FP : It depends on the nature of the project, the production processes and the quantities, there are projects that are made by artisans and others by industries, this lengthens the time.

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

FP : I always start from the knowledge of the customer and his philosophy, I store information that helps me understand how to design, then simplify and focus on the important things that give character and identity.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

FP : I believe in simplicity.

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

FP : I believe that one influences the other, trends sometimes influence design which in turn becomes a trend.

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

FP : The role of technology is fundamental, designing something without knowing the production processes is risky, you risk thinking about something that cannot be achieved. Instead knowing the techniques leads to intelligent solutions that help project.

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

FP : In my opinion, materials and colors play a fundamental role in enhancing a project. I am convinced that designers must take into account the pollution produced and, when possible, choose sustainable materials.

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

FP : I want them to ask for a design that represents their philosophy and that works, that makes a center.

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

FP : I get excited, I try to understand to learn something new. Seeing a beautiful design gratifies, attracts and stimulates us to do better.

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

FP : I have my own design team, but I believe that different skills can enrich a project.

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

FP : Those that gave me a style contribution and made me understand the importance of the matter.

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

FP : I developed my work after work skills, improving my sensitivity and technical knowledge.

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

FP : I would have liked to meet Raymond Loewy, I certainly would have had so much to learn from him.

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

FP : My favourite colour is blue. One of my favorite areas is the French Riviera in France, it gives me the feeling of being in a special place. For food I have a very wide choice, I like to taste everything and when I travel I prefer to eat local specialties. The seasons are all beautiful, each has its own characteristics, but if I have to choose, summer is what makes me feel free.

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

FP : The thing that gives me the most satisfaction is to start a new project, the fantasy is unleashed and I want to do something special.

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

FP : Let's say that even as a child I had the right characteristics, both in design and in interest in materials. Then growing awareness has increased and it was a natural choice.

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

FP : Times are changing too fast, impossible to predict what will happen. However, it seems that the future is developing towards robotics, we will have to live with this idea.

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

FP : I want a world where beauty is for everyone, without war and pollution. My design seeks the essence, simplicity and wants to be a good investment that brings results. In my spare time I like to play golf