We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative TANA-Gaetano Avitabile ("TA").
After several years working in itnerantional renowned architectural and design agencies,Gae Avitabile founded his own design studio in 2010. He works on a large renge of projects, from industrial design to space design project. The collaborations and project diversity lead him to see design in global way of thinking. He focuses on simplifying the interactions between humans and space or objetc. His projects are rooted in a responsible approach deeply concerned by the reliability and sustainability of its creations.
TANA-Gaetano Avitabile Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by TANA-Gaetano Avitabile.
Designer Interview of TANA-Gaetano Avitabile:
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?
TA : I'm an architect fascinated by the architecture that took expression in our past and I am very interested by the contemporary that would not exist without the former. I've always been intrigued and fascinated by the world of design and graphics, live hungry and thirst to know new ideas, new experiences and feed my world with them. After graduating in architecture I built a training program whose ultimate goal was to understand the true meaning of "project", as an idea comes to life. This initiative was very significant for me because it made me understand how complex was the implementation to realize the ideaMy humanist design approach is formed by the fundamental desire of pure, beautiful forms derived from the constraints of function, technology and context.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
TA : After several years working in interantional renowned architectural and design agencies ( Jacques Ripault, David Chipperfields Architect for Salerno, Christophe Pillet), I decided to continue my own path, creating Tana. With Tana, I created an imaginary laboratory from which there is space and time to express the idea of pure design and architecture.
DI: What is "design" for you?
TA : Design is simplicity. To have an idea and leave it naked, striping away the more from it, making its design easy to all, this corresponds to my idea of design
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
TA : Chairs and lights
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
TA : The lamp “Parentesi” designed by Achille Castiglioni and also Rewrite by Gamfratesi. To me, both are good examples of what I mean with “simplify and make it real”.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
TA : I feel creative when I’m daydreaming. This mostly happen when I’m walking, listening music and before sleeping.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
TA : I mainly focus on the realization issues
DI: What makes a design successful?
TA : Its charm
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
TA : Its shape
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
TA : To improve the way of life. Life is better when we are surrounded by simply and charming objects.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
TA : Design is becoming a constant presence in the everyday life, mainly when it meets technology. However, I think that the future of design should not be linked to the words “speeds” and “quantity”, but to the term “reflexion” referring to man and his existence.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
TA : All around me is a potential source of inspiration for my design. Everything can be transformed into another thing
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?
TA : I do not know! I do not identify neither recognize my design into a defined style. I just know that sometimes looking at something like a person, an object, a fragrance, or just a sensation, a new idea borns in my mind and my feeling is to try to capture this idea.
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?
TA : I live in the southern Italy. Of course my country is reach of cultural heritage, however I do not feel that this really affects my design, or at least I do not feel this as a main factor at a conscious level.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
TA : No limits to immagination
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
TA : Follow your dreams
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
TA : To me, the positive of being a designer is the joy to grow up and always look at the reality through the eyes of a child; the negative is to be blinded by my passion for design.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
TA : Just imagination and creativity
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
TA : A pencil, a rubber, a notebook and my PC
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
TA : It is not always the same.
DI: What was your most important job experience?
TA : To work abroad in an International environment had been very important to me. Another important factor is my miscellaneous experience moving from big architectural projects till to very little objects.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
TA : Promote myself and my work
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
TA : Usually I work alone but in my creative process it is very important to share my ideas with the others, from my friends to my family.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
TA : I’m thinking to a mirror, an object that always fascinated me!
DI: How can people contact you?
TA : info@tanadesign.eu www.tanadesign.eu www.behance.net/tana_ Linkedin