Gabriel Antunes Henke Carrano

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Gabriel Antunes Henke Carrano ("GAHC") 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?

GAHC : I am an architect and urban planner, graduated from Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Brazil. I also spent a year studying furniture design at the Illinois Institute of Technology.

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

GAHC : I live to make people's lives easier—that's my main concern. I believe this is why I became a designer.

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

GAHC : I had the privilege of choosing to become a designer.

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

GAHC : I design various types of furniture, but I wish I could design more pieces for retail stores.

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

GAHC : Drink water, read a lot, and be patient.

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

GAHC : A great designer creates from personal experiences, ensuring they deeply understand their ideas.

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

GAHC : Originality, high-quality finishes, durability, ease of assembly, and ease of cleaning—all these elements elevate a design.

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

GAHC : "Invest" might not be the right word. People should first experience good design to appreciate it. The real value lies in its accessibility, making it available to as many people as possible.

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

GAHC : A new crib in teak wood for Kartell.

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

GAHC : A collection inspired by Brazilian folklore.

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

GAHC : Music and really bad TV shows.

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

GAHC : Charles and Ray Eames, the Bouroullec Brothers, Campana Brothers, Lina Bo Bardi, Sergio Rodrigues, Pepe Lima, Etel Carmona, Paulo Mendes da Rocha, and Shiro Kuramata.

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

GAHC : Steelwood Chair by the Bouroullec Brothers: Respect for materials. Mole Armchair by Sergio Rodrigues: All the Brazilianness in one piece. LCW Chair by the Eames: My first love. Bowl Chair by Lina Bo Bardi: Amazing lines and concept.

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

GAHC : My greatest design is always my most recent one! I’m too young to claim a definitive masterpiece.

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

GAHC : I always will answer that with: READING MORE BOOKS

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

GAHC : I would have been a brownie maker.

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

GAHC : Design is what makes life more enjoyable and functional.

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

GAHC : My curators and, of course, my family.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

GAHC : My energy and resilience.

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

GAHC : My sexual orientation posed challenges in Brazil due to widespread homophobia.

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

GAHC : In an organic way, as an experience—not like motivational coaches.

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

GAHC : Nothing is set yet, but I can promise it will be different.

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

GAHC : To reduce material waste!

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

GAHC : I hope they expect good design!

DL: How does design help create a better society?

GAHC : Design is a tool that makes everything work better.

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

GAHC : A Brazilian-inspired wood furniture collection. It’s challenging but exciting!

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

GAHC : Every design is unique. But a bench I designed as a shelter for homeless people. I’m looking for investors to launch this project.

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

GAHC : Quality products made for mass consumption, not just the wealthy.

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

GAHC : Toward a focus on recycled materials.

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

GAHC : Usually 4–5 months, but it depends—some ideas come ready, while others need more work.

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

GAHC : Moodboards and conceptual drawings.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

GAHC : "Furniture allows people to experience spaces."

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

GAHC : Customers and industry set trends, but design defines good taste and alternatives.

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

GAHC : It helps me visualize realistic versions of my concepts.

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

GAHC : 3ds Max, SketchUp, SolidWorks, Rhino, Illustrator, even CorelDRAW.

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

GAHC : Materials convey tradition, colors complement the ambiance, and together they create unique compositions.

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

GAHC : "Let´s produce this!" (from a major company) or "How did you know I needed this?" (from a regular customer).

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

GAHC : "One less thing to do for society."

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

GAHC : I’d love to collaborate with Etel Carmona and Claudia Moreira Salles. Collaboration creates empathetic designs.

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

GAHC : My idols on Instagram—they answer my questions and provide insights, which is incredibly rewarding.

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

GAHC : The Design of the 20th Century Móvel Moderno Brasileiro POP Design Great Designs The Atlas of Furniture Design (by Vitra) 1000 Chairs

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

GAHC : By learning from the masters of the past.

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

GAHC : The Eames couple, Lina Bo Bardi, Sergio Rodrigues, and me—with a bottle of tequila during winter at Venice Beach.

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

GAHC : I’m not famous, and I don’t want fame. I want famous people to buy my designs.

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

GAHC : Dark blue, Chicago, feijoada, winter, my glasses, and Havaianas.

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

GAHC : I once designed a cabinet made entirely of cardboard boxes during my freshman year.

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

GAHC : Learning something new or having a meaningful design conversation.

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

GAHC : Not at all—I was terrible at conceptual designs, even with LEGO!

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

GAHC : People will print furniture at home using eco-friendly wood finishes. My brain might even be preserved in a lab!

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

GAHC : I’m gay, Latino, proud, and my designs are truly unique.