We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Roberta Visintin ("RV").

Roberta Visintin is an award-winning designer that helps make the World a better place with their original and innovative creations and advanced design works.

Roberta Visintin Designs

We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Roberta Visintin.

Designer Interview of Roberta Visintin:

DI: Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?

RV : I attended the University of Architecture in Venice, where I graduated in 1995. Yacht design has always intrigued and fascinated me so that, after many years of residential design, in 2008 I attended a Master in “Yachts Style and Design” at the University of Trieste. The passion for Yacht Design has led me later to investigate knowledge of software such as Rhinoceros and V-Ray. For these reason I attended a course of Rhinoceros specifically oriented to yacht design.

DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?

RV : The company is located in Monfalcone, a city placed in the north-est of Italy. Since its establishment, the company activity has been mainly addressed to the civil sector, subsequently in recent years it also addressed to the shipbuilding industry. The basic preparation and training were achieved by attending specific courses carried out within the University. The company consists of two owners , my brother (Civil Engineer) and me, and one employee graduated from the art institute. We work with the support of external collaborators too.

DI: What is "design" for you?

RV : It’s what makes the difference in life and in work and gives pleasure to the eye. It encompasses the concept of practicality, ergonomics, innovation, technology… but it’s also colour… fun…

DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?

RV : I like designing exteriors lines and interiors spaces of the yacht. In the view of the proper use of the living spaces I like to find good solutions with nice lines.

DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?

RV : I don’t have a favourite one. I usually get passionate about what I do, every project is different.

DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?

RV : The first thing was a mortuary chapel.

DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?

RV : I like to experiment a bit with different kinds of materials. It depends on the type of project I'm working. Each project is a different case. I like traditional materials (stones, wood, etc.) but this is not an impediment to look at new technologies and innovative materials.

DI: When do you feel the most creative?

RV : When no one is breathing down my neck.

DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?

RV : The basic issue for me is to create something that is innovative, beautiful, functional and easy to use.

DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?

RV : It’s fantastic to see the idea you have inside your brain becoming a design in 3D. You just imagine it near to become real.

DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?

RV : It is exciting to see your idea become part of the real world.

DI: What makes a design successful?

RV : If your creativeness has correctly interpreted the needs of your customers and of the market.

DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?

RV : Functionality and beauty must always go together.

DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?

RV : Should educate the taste of people into seeing things sometimes in a different way from usual.

DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?

RV : In my opinion, the future of design should go hand in hand with technological development.

DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?

RV : I wish to hold my exhibition inside an important International boat show.

DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?

RV : It comes from observing what is already present in nature, studying and documenting about new technologies and materials, by learning from the others.

DI: How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?

RV : I like elegant lines, I do not like the excesses in life as well as in work. So that I try to create something that is both functional, easy to use, attractive and innovative.

DI: Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?

RV : Well Italy has a very strong artistic cultural past. The creativity of our designers is recognized internationally. I think the “Italian style” must inevitably occur even in yacht design. In my small way I try to do it every day with great humility.

DI: How do you work with companies?

RV : I try to understand what are the technologies and construction methods at their disposal, the characteristics of the construction process, its advantages and limitations. In this way I can think of designing a viable product. I like to establish a good collaboration for the benefit of the final product.

DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?

RV : Creative abilities are not sufficient unless you have the ability to relate to others in a constructive manner for the benefit of the whole quality of the final product.

DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?

RV : I start trying to understand which are the customer needs, what he expects from the final product and than I try to find the right balance between the creative idea, the chosen construction systems and customer requirements.

DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?

RV : A picture frame, a flat glass, a mirror framed in stained glass to hang on the wall, flowerpot steel, fruit basket of steel.

DI: Can you describe a day in your life?

RV : I wake up early in the morning and after taking my daughter to kindergarten I reach my office. I generally have many things to do such as meeting my clients, visiting the construction sites, designing, etc. This until 7 p.m. with a short break for lunch and to pick up my daughter at school.

DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?

RV : I normally do not give lessons to others. Anyway, what I suggest, based on my personal experience, is to be always curious, to learn from the others and never get tired of studying.

DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?

RV : The good thing is that you have the opportunity to offer the customer something that is both good looking, functional and innovative. The downside is that often people look at you with strange eyes.

DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?

RV : Always find the right balance between the creative idea and its realization in practice. Therefore it is indispensable to know the processes and characteristics of the materials chosen.

DI: What skills are most important for a designer?

RV : Today is important not only skill in sketching but also the knowledge of modeling and rendering softwares.

DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?

RV : I use mainly modeling and rendering softwares, I read magazines and books and often visit exhibitions that are in the area that interests me for the job that I have to do.

DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?

RV : Time becomes secondary when I design. The important thing is to finish on time and with the best possible result.

DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?

RV : It depends on the project I'm working on, there is no precise rule.

DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?

RV : How much will this product cost to me?

DI: What was your most important job experience?

RV : The most important is yet to come.

DI: Who are some of your clients?

RV : Both private and public.

DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?

RV : I have much experience in residential design, but I find more satisfaction in yacht design.

DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?

RV : I would like to work as a yacht designer and collaborate with experts in the shipping industry (shipyards, naval architects, etc..).

DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?

RV : I usually develop my own designs by myself but when it’s possible I like to collaborate with other professionals.

DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?

RV : I'm working on some remodeling projects of houses.

DI: How can people contact you?

RV : They can contact me by e-mail or phone.