We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Stella Nanni ("SN").
Stella Nanni has been a visual artist for 30 years, has 2 international design awards, has held several exhibitions around the world. Together with his son Gabriel Nanni, a multidisciplinary artist, they created the Tattoo Truck Tour project, where they travel the world in a Tattoo Truck, with a purpose; bring self-esteem and quality of life to women who have had breast cancer, tattooing them for free to cover the scars. The Nanni Ink Design arose from the desire to unite the culture of art in the skin to the field of design, fashion and decoration.
Stella Nanni Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Stella Nanni.
Stella Nanni Design - Piece Of Your Story Coffee Table
Designer Interview of Stella Nanni:
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?
SN : I began my artistic career painting portraits, having formed a amount of important collectors around the world. My natural propensity Figurative Expressionism was accentuated by the work of Richard Diebenkorn, David Park, Joan Brown, Nathan Oliveira. Emotion and intuition are my greatest guides in making a gestural painting with vibrant colors. My work seeks to reveal the feelings of people in everyday situations. Combining traits with spontaneous harmony and concrete images, control and freedom, direction and causality. My design, influenced by my art, keeps the attention in everyday situations. With a focus on beauty, functionality and sustainability.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
SN : At the beginning, my studio was a painter's and sculpture's. Now, beside art, my company has developed new design products, to meet the goal of art, technological innovation and sustainability.
DI: What is "design" for you?
SN : Design is to sum up beauty, functionality and innovation.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
SN : Furniture and decor articles
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
SN : My favorite is the Conductear - multifuctional loom. It represents a great innovation to the textiles area. . Its main element is the conductive wire, which is produced from an environmental liability, arising from the process of making biodiesel. Its major feature is to be conductor of energy thereby it is possible to discharge the static energy of the users, eliminating several problems caused by the accumulation of this energy: stress, insomnia, chronic fatigue, muscle aches, shock and damage to electronic components.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
SN : It was an sculpture for Toyota Company with a new Eco resin made of biodiesel residues.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
SN : Natural raw coming from various biomes leveraging: Forest residue; natural fibers, plant tissues, seeds, leaves dehydrated, Golden grass, using resins biovegetais, Ecoresins derived using waste Biodiesel and Photoluminescent pigments.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
SN : Traveling, visiting art exhibitions and when I come into my studio.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
SN : Aesthetic and functional aspects.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
SN : I feel excited.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
SN : I feel gratified
DI: What makes a design successful?
SN : A design is successful when the goal of functionality / beauty / innovation is hit.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
SN : The main responsibility is to bring changes to the lifestyle, in order to Increase the wellbeing of the User while collaborating with reduced environmental impact.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
SN : I think the design field has evolved beyond mere functionality. It needs good appearance and economy. In the future all objects will apply for those features.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
SN : My last exhibition was at the Museum of Sustainability in Sao Paulo, Brazil at 2012. My next will be in Milan during the Art Week.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
SN : My inspiration is strongly influenced by my country's traditions and needs. All of its productions ( Bilro laces, flowers, typical woods) are a source of inspiration and 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?
SN : The main characteristic is being focused in sustainability.
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?
SN : I live in Brazil and my art and design reflect many of its aspects. The pros are: plenty of raw material and inspirations. I dont see any cons.
DI: How do you work with companies?
SN : I develop exclusive articles to attain their needs.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
SN : They must select those designers whose philosophy is similar to their.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
SN : The first bout of inspiration comes from everyday little observations, then I go to my studio, where I can mature the idea and develop the product.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
SN : Table lamp, floor lamp, conductive cushion, lateral table and tray.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
SN : I wake up early and take my son to school. Then I go to my Studio and work until half past moon. Then I take my son back from school, have lunch with him and go back to studio. About 5 p.m. I go ride my horse. At night, my husband come home and the three of us have dinner together. Then some Tv or book and bed. But I always change this routine to not get bored!
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
SN : Research, try new things, take risks and have fun!
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
SN : - The most positive is that you are always dealing with new things. The negative is the difficulty you sometimes have to reach the market.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
SN : " Minus is More"
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
SN : Creativity, persistence
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
SN : I like to draw a free hand when I create
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
SN : I work at design for many hours a day. My other responsibilities take some more hours...It is a long day!
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
SN : It depends on the object, the inspiration and the difficulty inherent to the goal.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
SN : There are two: 1. Can you survive on this? 2. How is to create?
DI: What was your most important job experience?
SN : When I was invited to paint the portrait of Roberto Marinho, President of Globo Organization and my exhibition in Monaco, with the Prince and Princess of Monaco. But all job experience were importante for me.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
SN : Toyota, Guabi, Roberto Marinho, Jorge Gerdau
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
SN : The Ecodeign. The opportunity to turn residues into functional products, with design and artistic value exciting me.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
SN : My future plan is to release a line of ecological furniture .
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
SN : Sometimes I work as a team, sometimes only with my self.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
SN : My line of ecological furniture , tables, partitions and lighting fixtures made with ecorsina of Biodiesel with natural raw coming from various biomes leveraging: Forest residue; natural fibers, plant tissues, seeds, leaves dehydrated, Golden grass.
DI: How can people contact you?
SN : By email: arte@stellananni.com.br