We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Guido Formenti ("GF").
He is not a great technician, he didn’t frequent professional schools of great artists, everything he knows has been learned from his father, few years of carpentry and working as much as possible to get always better and better. he says "I've got a special gift", he can see around with "the eyes of the heart". Immersed in the solitude and silence of the mountain, far from noises and thoughts, he sees figures of various shapes in the surrounding landscape. Figures that allow him to draw and create useful and important objects that transmit emotions and sensations in everyday life.
Guido Formenti Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Guido Formenti.
Designer Interview of Guido Formenti:
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?
GF : I have come slowly, creating simple objects, which gradually have been trasformed into scultures. The passion for this material has involved me since childhood, growing into the nature. Then the desire to have my own space and communicate through art has become increasingly intense.
DI: What is "design" for you?
GF : in my opinion design is innovation.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
GF : Sculptures and furniture.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
GF : Geometric figures, projects that rise into space, creating movement.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
GF : I have never created anything for a company.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
GF : when I am alone, far from the people and society.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
GF : During the "design" I think particulary of the beauty and singularity of the object and how to achieve the aim of putting together the beauty and functionality.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
GF : I relax myself.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
GF : Satisfaction and happiness.
DI: What makes a design successful?
GF : Winning a competition and make sales.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
GF : Beauty, utility, stability, size.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
GF : The responsibility of a designer for the society and the environment are innovation but with respect for the nature and landscape.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
GF : It evolves very well because new ideas are considered. This leads to great future.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
GF : Near the Garda lake, Salò, in 2016. I am not sure about the next show.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
GF : my creativity is the result of analytical research of the deep. mountain and the wild nature are my source of inspiration and grow my creativity.
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?
GF : Making new items, growing slowly in my art, no static but dynamic creations; no drawings, just a simple sketch.
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?
GF : On the mountains; no contaminations about my roots, just relax and energy from the nature.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
GF : No drawing process, just a simple sketch, easy and naturally.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
GF : I only use my art items
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
GF : Never give up and don't be in a hurry. The experience is made on the field and over the years.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
GF : it is good to have this gift and express yourself through art. the negative of being a designer is the difficoulty of emerge and to not have economic help and importance by the istitution.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
GF : Drawing and try one time again.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
GF : I don't know, I'm just an artist!!!
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
GF : Pen paper and plywood models.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
GF : Not for me.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
GF : It depends on the object.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
GF : forniture is my favourite because they can be very useful and used.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
GF : My plan for the future is simple: pursuing my passion with honesty and having an income.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
GF : I've always work in progress.
DI: How can people contact you?
GF : www.oasidellarte.it info@oasidellarte.it
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
GF : During the execution of the works there are often problems for radical changes statics or even because the ideas are renewed.