We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Patrizia Donà ("PD").
Patrizia Donà is an award-winning designer that helps make the World a better place with their original and innovative creations and advanced design works.
Patrizia Donà Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Patrizia Donà.
Patrizia Donà Design - Qwerty Elemental Handbags
Designer Interview of Patrizia Donà:
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?
PD : My previous study of Art History seems to be a very valuable background that helps me to come up with different concepts. You could find a presence of ready-made,arte poveraor surrealism in my work. I like to play and combine art and design. What fashion is, or what fashion may be, does not inspire me – I prefer to work from an idea, thought, form or a specific characteristic. Usually it starts when I see some interesting ready made object. Ideas of how to transform that object come out automatically.Designing process is an adventure in which I often get surprised with the end result.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
PD : Laboratorio Donà is a fashion and art studio where a unique synthesis takes place. Impact of Belgian fashion design, with the power of its visions and particular aesthetics, merges with the Italian artisanal tradition that strives to perfection in every detail.Patrizia’s work is a confluence of visual art and design, and all of her fashion projects are also research and experiments as well as being suitable for production in smaller or larger series of wearable objects and accessories. Donà uses unconventional materials as well as found objects that awakes the senses and evoke the wonder of lost industries. The narrative quality of products has always played a mayor role in her work. Each of her creation tells a tale.In 2012 Patrizia Donà established her own label “Laboratorio Donà” which was renamed “Donà” in 2019. She started collaboration with different manufactures with one aim: to improve each detail to the level of excellence and to combine craft and industrial methods of production.
DI: What is "design" for you?
PD : obsession
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
PD : I find it easy to think in 3D form and I see a bag as a sculpture. I want to create a piece that has conceptual external appearance while the content meets the requirements of functionality.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
PD : It is my recent collection "Qwerty", inspired by fascination with the highly aesthetical and complex mechanical object - the Remington typewriter. It is one of the earliest brands of typewriters, dating from 1874
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
PD : "Hommage a Remington"- Handbags collection
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
PD : Leather and metal
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
PD : Details. I am obsessed with details.I strive to to improve each detail to the level of excellence and to combine craft and industrial methods of production. “The details are not the details; they make the product.” Obsessive Attention to Detail Isn’t Crazy, It’s required said The Emes.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
PD : excitement, dedication...diving into designing process is a kind of meditative state for me
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
PD : excitement, satisfaction, proud
DI: What makes a design successful?
PD : Design has to be unique and universal.Products that provide meaning, that uplift us from the mundane to the extraordinary; those products are durable.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
PD : Inovation, techical excellence, timelessness
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
PD : I will quote Bruno Munari:"Anyone who uses a properly designed object feels the presence of an artist who has worked for him, bettering his living conditions and encouraging him to develop his taste and sense of beauty”
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
PD : In Zagreb 2018; Next exhibition :Venice, Milano
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
PD : I like to play and combine art and design. What fashion is, or what fashion may be, does not inspire me – I prefer to work from an idea, thought, form or a specific characteristic. Usually it starts when I see some interesting ready made object
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?
PD : My vision is to bring something unique to the table. Not just another trendy bag but an intelligent and beautiful design in every passionate detail. My products should be recognized for its original timeless design, excellence manufacturing in synergy between industrial and hand made.
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?
PD : I admire handicrafts. Fascination for the handicraft has been with me since my childhood. As my father comes from Murano (Venice) I grew up in the permanent presence of an artisan workshop and have an acute awareness and respect for “Lavorazioni Artigianali”.
DI: How do you work with companies?
PD : I collaborate with many companies because each detail of my design is carefully designed and manufactured within various companies or crafts workshops- leather, metal, wood, 3D printing...
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
PD : Believe in your idea, break the rules, stay authentic and the rest will follow. Never give up!
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
PD : Creativity, discipline and consistancy
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
PD : Books, found objects, tools for metal, leather machine
DI: What was your most important job experience?
PD : collaboration with high skilled craftmen
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
PD : I enjoy every stages of design process from idea generation to presentation of the final product
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
PD : To place my design in best shops worldwide
DI: How can people contact you?
PD : instagram:laboratorio_dona e-mail: info@laboratoriodona.com