Ana Volante

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Ana Volante ("AV") 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?

AV : I studied interior design in Venezuela and then moved to Milan. Came back to Caracas and started working for some architectural firms until i launched my own interior design studio

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

AV : it was in my veins. I was surrounded with my grandfather's architectural and artistic work since little. so it was natural to ride the same path as him. he has been a great source of inspiration for me

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

AV : i chose! since little i knew i wanted to be a designer or architect

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

AV : i create interior design an art proposals for homes. I want to keep doing what i do and expand my furniture collection to a wider range of products.

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

AV : have passion for what they do, discipline and work hard

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

AV : there a many factors to take into considerations, functionality, materials, design, sustainability, costs

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

AV : good design is timesless. It will continue its value during time.

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

AV : wow! so many come to my mind!!. I admire so many architects, artists and designers that have inspired me all along the way. I would love to make the interior poposal for their homes

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

AV : expand my furniture collection to accesories and more.

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

AV : frank ghery, meier, neutra, le corbusier, annie albers,paulin, les lalanne,gio ponti ,zaha hadid, kelly wearstler, so many to mention!!

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

AV : neimeyer, alta lounge chair. wendell castle chairs, piere paulin chairs

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

AV : i wont say there is one, but i do have some pieces that i cherish more.

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

AV : be curious, read, ask, search the web, go to museums,

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

AV : An architect

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

AV : Design is a way of life.

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

AV : my husband has always been a great support.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

AV : having passion, being curious and working every day for my dreams

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

AV : i wouldnt call myself a design master!, but obstacles are going to be there always. I think your dreams have to be higher and stronger than those obstacles in order to overcome them

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

AV : a new furniture collection

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

AV : to be integral! have my interior design studio, my furniture and accesories collection.

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

AV : to Being environmentally conscious

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

AV : it depends on the project!

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

AV : searching for inspiration!, meeting with the client, listening to their needs, aims, tastes, budgets

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

AV : always have passion for what you do.

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

AV : design set the trends.

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

AV : its super important. Thanks to that technology you get to recreate your design in 3d views, material options and show it to the world

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

AV : i use Autocad, sketchup

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

AV : wow! hard one!.. gropius, peggy guggenheim, le corbusier, ghery, zaha hadid ,so many to mention!

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

AV : blue, home, italian, summer, travel

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

AV : to create a good design, a great mood board for a client or to see realized my pieces.

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

AV : it was completely obvious for me