We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Diogo Pinelli ("DP").
Makuko is a small furniture design studio. The name Makuko comes from the native people of Brazil. The way they express themselves through painting and transform nature into a functional living environment forms the basis of our design inspiration. We are inspired by nature, animals, architecture and cultures from all over the world – but our development process begins on the smallest scale. We experiment with our hands, playing with forms, angles and perspectives until we reach the ideal shape.
Diogo Pinelli Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Diogo Pinelli.
Diogo Pinelli Design - Stalk Side Table
Designer Interview of Diogo Pinelli:
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?
DP : We’re inspired by nature, animals, architecture and cultures from all over the world – but our development process begins on the smallest scale. We experiment with our hands, playing with forms, angles and perspectives until we reach the ideal shape. As a child I was always very curious about how things were done and how they worked. As a child my joy was to dismanteling home devices and appreciate the shapes that the parts were designed to stay on the inside and only had one way to perform a certain function.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
DP : Makuko is a small furniture design studio. The name Makuko comes from the native people of Brazil. The way they express themselves through painting and transform nature into a functional living environment forms the basis of our design inspiration.
DI: What is "design" for you?
DP : Design is all existing form. Design is the relationship between light and object, the perception of light.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
DP : I like to design products that complement each other in the interaction of person /object. Let its use not be so obvious let people interact with the play.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
DP : The leaves of the trees are fascinating. Not only the variety of shapes and textures, but also the function they perform perfectly throughout their cycle and how important they are for human life to exist.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
DP : Paper and pencils, old technologies that will take a long time to overcome.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
DP : When life is in harmony with nature.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
DP : The interaction between the materials, the alloy is fundamental to success.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
DP : When working on projects I am delighted to see something that is in mind turn into an object.
DI: What makes a design successful?
DP : When he can awaken people's emotions.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
DP : The ability to awaken emotions in people.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
DP : Designers must work to bring their products together socially and the environment, so we can create a conscientiousness and respect each other and the environment in a more dignified way.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
DP : We’re inspired by nature, animals, architecture and cultures from all over the world – but our development process begins on the smallest scale. We experiment with our hands, playing with forms, angles and perspectives until we reach the ideal shape.
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?
DP : I am Brazilian but today I live in Berlin, a very cosmopolitan city very intense that is surrounded by a lot of nature, we have the best of both worlds.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
DP : My routine is very flexible, I like to alternate the fundamental activities with moments of pleasure or just contemplation, I do not like to establish time for each activity, the freer the better.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
DP : Believe in your dream and work hard to achieve, but without losing pleasure in the process.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
DP : Designers are always questioning the way things are done, finds it very positive to try to find a new look on things.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
DP : I believe a keen look to be able to read the forms and their interaction with people.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
DP : Since the beginning of my career, I try to develop a system to make the right decisions based on pros and contras.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
DP : It depends, some are easier and take a day and some are elaborate and take weeks.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
DP : Is that possible to build something like this?
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
DP : Furniture is fascinating and we need than for our daily routine.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
DP : Today I am planning to open a showroom and establish partnerships with larger producers for our creations to reach other markets.
DI: How can people contact you?
DP : Just email me at Contact@studiomakuko.com