We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Mario J Lotti ("MJL").
Mario is an architect with 30 years experience who will design anything. Works include interiors and buildings of all types, furniture design and construction, jewelry design, and sculpture. He also has an interest in alternative energy sources that take advantage of continuous dynamic phenomenon. His designs take into consideration dynamic physical and mental interaction that also draw on nature and human experience for inspiration - by the use of materials,colors, form and composition. Function, movement and experience are well integrated into works and may not be well understood from still photographs.
Mario J Lotti Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Mario J Lotti.
Mario J Lotti Design - Lido Cafe Live music bar
Mario J Lotti Design - Birdie's Lounge Golf Club Lounge
Mario J Lotti Design - cocktail table
Designer Interview of Mario J Lotti:
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?
MJL : I started at a very young age, as if it was a destiny. I was always very creative and designed my first building in high school architectural drafting course and far exceeded my peers there. I enjoyed creating things from my ideas, the combination of art, science and technology. the challenge of manifesting some thing (object) from ethereal concepts that could communicate the ideas or concepts to others. I have also acquired craftsman skills and enjoy making designs and artworks out of materials.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
MJL : Currently, I have no design studio. For new architecture work, I am prepared to deliver projects through partnering with specific firms.
DI: What is "design" for you?
MJL : Design results from a proposition or problem requiring a solution and the act of converting the understanding and ideas for a solution into a useful object (or building).
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
MJL : Building, interiors, objects and furniture. I guess I enjoy it all.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
MJL : I can't say there is one, there are a few: The Lido Cafe is one. It is one of my favorites because of all of the other technically functional and feasible designs I did for it: The "light organ" stage backdrop; the color change slump glass LED bar design; the column covers (at the bar on both floors) that I would sculpt myself on site out of concrete. The design I did for a coffee shop chain is one of my favorites also for the similar reasons: The pendant lamp made from a giant NYC diner coffee cup; the original table and chair designs; the experience I created by using automotive metallic colors in the design.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
MJL : The first thing I designed commercially (rather than for a company) was a design for a gazebo for a yacht club. I designed a gazebo that was a re-creation of the prior design. I designed and helped construct it 1 year after graduating high school, when I was 18 years old.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
MJL : I like a few materials and technologies for different reasons. Some of my favorites are: Concrete, polyester resin, wood, copper, bronze, stone, plaster, paint.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
MJL : When I am inspired, when I am in "the zone" (aka flow state), when I get excited about a design, when I get inspired about an idea.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
MJL : the overall intent of the design and the applied process / modus operandi, materiality, functionality.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
MJL : In "the zone", I am not aware of any feelings nor am I self conscious or self aware.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
MJL : Ecstatic, joy, satisfaction
DI: What makes a design successful?
MJL : That it functions as intended and it is even better if it performs in a broad spectrum of end users and / or environments. The aesthetic is harmonious and better if it is harmonious in every way.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
MJL : Overall impression, recognition factor, curiosity factor. Accessibility.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
MJL : To be inclusive, to design sustainably, communication
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
MJL : Thedesign field has been evolving towards a less formalized approach, not applying a set of project design rules to the designof a project. Generally, design trends repeat themselves periodically so what was before will be again withsome key influences adjuting what happens next. The influences are the advancements in construction technology, materials, design production technology, and technology. Things like 3D concrete printed buildings, drone delivery docks and the like.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
MJL : Hmmm. I don't remember when was my last exhibition. I would like to exhibit at the appropriatee timein the near future.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
MJL : My design inspiration can come from a client, a place, an idea, a meditation. I feed my creativity by living creatively, by allowing my curiosity to guide me, exploring anything. My sources of inspiration often come from contemplating a design problem, considering the different scenarios, the different ways of looking at things or design problems.
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?
MJL : My design style is according to the requirements of the project and can be eclectic, contextual (to the place or the purpose), or modern. I prefer modern or eclectic design, but the inspiration and ability to work in other styles comes from working on projects of historical significance or where the context were important considerations in the design. My approach to design is to gather all of the requirements and consider and list all of the attributes the the final design should have. The objective is to assemble a kind of description of the building when the design is completed.
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?
MJL : I live in New York. Working in New York gave me the ability to solve any design problem and produce excellent plans. Working on really challenging design problems on tight timelines and budgets here repeatedly really pumped my brain muscle. Living in Vietnam and working on international projects there tempered my New York experiences and allowed and fostered more of my creativity and other cultural, international and modern design influences. I think the cons are similar for any country: budget and time. The pros are also similar: plenty of work.
DI: How do you work with companies?
MJL : Normally via a contract. I much prefer to have their objectives and requirements listed out from the beginning.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
MJL : It is best when companies seeking a designer contract the appropriate designer for the work they have done before and the relevance to the design need, not contract based on cost alone. The requirements and objectives for the project should be listed and the employer should require the assistance of the designer to assist in completing the list, it should be in the contract as one of the first steps.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
MJL : I will normally start with a first intuitive impression of the project, and then just put it aside. Then I will review and consolidate a list of project requirements and then attributes that I and/or the client would like thefinal design to have. If I amincluding Feng Shui, i will also do the analysis and add those requirements to the list. I will study and ponder the list rigorously, giving my full attention, until I have a clear sense of the objective. Then i will take a break and do something completely different. At that moment when I have completely forgotten about the project, the best and complete design idea will come to me.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
MJL : My glass and wood mid 20th century italian desk, a Perreaux 150i amplifier, a Chordette Gem DAC, my kitchen / dining combo (as a whole), an Alessi Pulcina expresso pot, my 1969 Mazda 1500 restomod project.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
MJL : No, i don't really have typical days that are the same for a length of time - generally, i sleep, have coffee, eat, work, go out
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
MJL : Intuition is your ally. Do your best to develope it even if you don't think you have it. Have fun. Life is for living. Lifes problems aren't apersonal attach on you - they are just things that happen andyou can have fun solving them. Take risks. Failures mean you are learning. When working on a design, keep in mind there are always better ideas - it is easier to manifest them by keeping an open mind.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
MJL : Positives are a sensitivity and broad understanding of things. A jack of all trades and a master of none is a master architect. Negatives are not much time for other things.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
MJL : Follow my modus operandi every time.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
MJL : To gain knowledge through the experience of designing. To have an understanding of how things are made. To be open to other ideas and solutions. Flexibility and firmness.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
MJL : I have a nice library, a nice set of physical tools and a place to use them, a drafting table, autocad, revit, markers, trace roll, paint, and other materials, etc.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
MJL : I can work long hours and stay up all night - it is a requirement.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
MJL : Depends on the object. Mostly, i design buildings and their interiors. I may also design furniture and light fixtures as part of the design. For these projects, the design takes approximately 9 months to 1.5 years.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
MJL : How much? How long?
DI: What was your most important job experience?
MJL : There have been so many. I could not say there was one single most important.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
MJL : That is private
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
MJL : Architecture and interiors including some furniture and lighting design.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
MJL : More design work and more projects.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
MJL : Mostly I work by myself, but I have worked with others and enjoy collaboration.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
MJL : None that I would like to talk about. I am assembling a website of my work.
DI: How can people contact you?
MJL : The best way to contact me is by emailing me at mlottiarch@gmail.com