We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Edoardo Petri ("EP").
Sensitive and attentive, during his studies he undertakes an intense research activity on spatial continuity, understood as a flow of events, in search of balance and freedom between space, form and function, subsequently determining the aesthetic and qualitative value of his works . He likes to deal with very different themes in scale and complexity but characterized by a style closely linked to a thought of indissoluble uniqueness where the compositional process based on contemporary anologies creates new languages and architectural spaces of great style. Dynamism and spatiality become fundamental matrices in his projects, dedicating great attention to the nature of the materials and their prerogatives existing at the time of the compositional act. In his architecture there is always a bilateral relationship between architecture and human being and between man and nature, man and space live a symbiotic relationship. Recognizing design as a free source of creation, he combines product design with architecture, creating symbiotic relationships between the two arts.
Edoardo Petri Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Edoardo Petri.
Edoardo Petri Design - Marilyn Table
Designer Interview of Edoardo Petri:
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?
EP : I was confronted with the design because in my architecture I liked to take care of the details.In the 50s and 60s in Italy, architect and designer were the same thing. It is natural for me to design a house or an object.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
EP : My studio deals with architecture and design between Italy and China where I opened a studio two years ago.My design research always looks for a strong focus on the details and on the uniqueness of the project
DI: What is "design" for you?
EP : for me design and an exercise in the study of form and function connected in a single object that must express its own soul.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
EP : I like to design spaces for architecture
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
EP : my favorite design concerns the Italian period between the 50s and 60s.Achille Castiglioni, Carlo Mollino, Vico Magistretti, Marco Zanuso, Bruno Munari, Carlo Scarpa ..
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
EP : bathroom sink
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
EP : my favorite materials have always been natural
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
EP : in the early morning I feel more creative, because I can put the dreams of the evening on paper
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
EP : Beauty, harmony and functionality.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
EP : when I project the emotions are many; anger, happiness, disappointment, discovery. all emotions are concentrated in the project until one reaches a state of complacency and well-being in having reached the perfect form.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
EP : I believe that the realization of one's own design is the inclusion of a stratification of thoughts and images that have followed one another over time. I can say that it is the most beautiful magic, the dream that becomes reality.
DI: What makes a design successful?
EP : a successful product becomes such when it reflects form, function and market.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
EP : first thing and that a good design should please me and must meet the functional needs related to its function.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
EP : the respondability of a designer and that of creating objects that can last over time both in terms of design and in that of their use. we must create objects with recyclable materials or, in my case, use wood from sustainable forests. We must abandon the idea of throw-away and return to an idea of recycling the product.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
EP : I believe that design is going along a good path by abandoning the concept of disposable for a conscious design in close contact with the companies for its production respecting the environment that surrounds us.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
EP : My last show was in Moscow, the next I would like to do in China.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
EP : I am a great observer and this is my greatest inspiration for my design. have a mind open to contamination and important to nurture creativity. I look for inspiration from everything around me. nature and artifice always remain for me an inexhaustible source of inspiration because their boundary creates conflicts and harmonies that stimulate my creativity every day.
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?
EP : my style is simple and immediate, sometimes minimalist. I look for the essence of things as the Japanese teach, but with a purely Italian style.
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?
EP : I live in Italy, the heritage of my country is huge and very often we have a great responsibility to bring along this fortune. I think I'm very lucky to be born in this country. I try to combine my culture with the rest of the world when I design.
DI: How do you work with companies?
EP : I have a good relationship with companies. You always work closely to achieve the best result. Very often the job is hard and tiring to reach the best level. The Italian companies in this support a lot of designers.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
EP : companies must learn to recognize talents and support them in the prototyping phase
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
EP : my design process comes from the company's requests. know how to listen and the first step to achieving good design. What happens next is always a big mess. I do not have a standard process, I jump continuously in temporal and methodological processes. I think it's typical of the Italians.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
EP : they are objects collected during my travels, they do not have the name of a designer but they are common objects and for this reason they are very beautiful
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
EP : the day is made up of very intense rhythms but I always try to carve out a space for research and thought
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
EP : my advice is to always be curious and great observers, to be sensitive and to have the ability to get emotional in front of the beauty. Always remember that beauty and functionality travel in constant relationship.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
EP : the positive aspect is that we are free to create and the negative one that today there is strong competition from very good colleagues
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
EP : simplicity and beauty
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
EP : seriousness and professionalism in their work are the basis and the departure for a future of success, remembering to mix everything with a little 'madness.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
EP : all that you need; every means of expression must be used to explain the project, from the drawing by hand, to the three-dimensional design software, up to the 3D printer. Personal culture, and intuition are important to give birth to ideas and projects.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
EP : you have to set time for the design and objectives to be achieved, this is the secret to keep everything under control and manage the projects.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
EP : it depends on many factors and the type of object, and it is difficult to answer.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
EP : they ask me to design successful products
DI: What was your most important job experience?
EP : The first important experience in Venice in an architecture and design studio, the second in the companies in contact with production and the third in China.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
EP : Individuals and companies in the sector
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
EP : I like to design not only the object but also the direction that the company must take in order to sell and propose it.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
EP : create a new collection
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
EP : now I have a team of very good guys but for a long time I have worked in solitude.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
EP : at the moment I am planning a large exhibition complex in china
DI: How can people contact you?
EP : through my email or my website:studio@edoardopetriarchitect.it. www.edoardopetriarchitect.it
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
EP : Thanks to A 'Design AWARDS for this opportunity