Cesare Zuccaro

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Cesare Zuccaro ("CZ") 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?

CZ : I started my journey by designing covers for my band, then over time I went from making the artwork to the complete presentation of the related merchandise product. Thus was born my passion in making products.

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

CZ : I've always liked the world of graphics and design, plus I come from a family of artists, so I think it's something inherited.

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

CZ : I choose to become but I'm also an entrepreneur.

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

CZ : I design watches. I really like studying and creating details.

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

CZ : Have a focus that motivates their commitment and persevere.

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

CZ : The details.

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

CZ : Based on the emotions it transmits to me. For good design it must have the right balance between the designer's idea through shapes and colors.

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

CZ : In terms of product design, the value is perceived from the final result, from how functional that product may be and could appeal to the market.

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

CZ : I'd like to design lamps for any company that appreciates minimal design.

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

CZ : My next project that I had to postpone. It is a new model that I would like to include in my collection.

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

CZ : Taking inspiration from objects that have nothing to do with the product I'm designing.

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

CZ : Bruno Munari

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

CZ : The Noms watch by Mark Braun. He's a great designer and I love hi's bauhaus inspiration.

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

CZ : My last creation, the Argo watch. I've spend a lot of month to study all the details, and the final result it's pretty good.

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

CZ : Draw every day and study a lot.

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

CZ : Probably the musician.

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

CZ : First of all it's art.

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

CZ : My girlfriend and my family.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

CZ : Practice, research, music and dreams.

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

CZ : The short time available.

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

CZ : There is no method, everyone presents their work as they see fit, with the most extravagant and the most sober and classic ways. It will be up to the customer to understand and appreciate. A designer is also an artist.

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

CZ : The next project will be a reinterpretation of the current watch created, but with a different mechanics.

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

CZ : My last timepiece design. Argo.

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

CZ : New watch models with new experimental shapes.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

CZ : Design is one of the foundations of innovation. It's up to us to use it to build products or show ideas that can build a better society.

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

CZ : The new watch model, but it's too early to talk about it.

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

CZ : My first artwork for my old band. Because I was younger and everyone liked my first job.

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

CZ : The increase of digitization.

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

CZ : Completely on online platforms, without going through drawing on paper.

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

CZ : It depends on the project. For this last job it took me 3 months to finalize it.

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

CZ : I start from a sketch and then move on to vector software, then I move on to 3D

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

CZ : Practice more.

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

CZ : The design sets the trends.

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

CZ : 80% I usually use various graphic design software for working on a project.

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

CZ : dobe illustrator, Photoshop, Blender 3D.

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

CZ : They help finalize the idea and create various options.

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

CZ : I was inspired to create it

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

CZ : This guy have make a very good work!

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

CZ : A very creative and propositive person and yes, I believe in co-design.

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

CZ : Th music and the nature influence my designs.

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

CZ : Design e comunicazione visiva.

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

CZ : Practice, practice, practice.

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

CZ : Leonardo DaVinci

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

CZ : Enough, but if you believe in what you do, the success deserved will be recognized to you.

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

CZ : Blue, Greenland, baked rice, autumn, breguet.

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

CZ : Go to a meeting with a client to show them the final work, but realize that you don't have the job with you once you arrive at the appointment.

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

CZ : The good soundtrack of the day. Everyday I'll change my soundtrack.

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

CZ : Absolutely not, I was an adventurer.

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

CZ : All the material design tools will disappear, everything will become as digital as possible.

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

CZ : I am also a drummer, a watch lover and I love to design watches.