We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative gianpietro tonetti ("GT").
Born in Cremona (Italy) in 1958, gianpietro tonetti works and lives in Lodi (Italy). He has been involved in design since 1977 starting as design consultant in the home decoration field. In 1983 he founded dimensioni s.a.s., (tonettidesign s.a.s. as of 2011), a industrial design company, specializing in industrial design of consumer products. Leaving behind almost completely the world of home decoration to concentrate his activities in various industrial fields. His experience in different and diversified production has allowed him to acquire and develop a wide technical and technological knowledge of processes and materials capabilities. Insisting on following personally the various stages of all his projects from the design through technical feasibility review, and then industrial production, he keeps the important balance between the design concept and final engineering reality. Each of his project concepts is developed to fit perfectly into the techno-commercial reality of the customer. Using fully the widest range of advanced tools available, tonettidesign s.a.s. has become a reference point for universities, IT companies, researchers, project designers, and multimedia experts, as a result of the technical content and advanced technologies used in its work. At present, Gianpietro Tonetti not only works at various levels with Italian companies, but is also co-operating with European, American, and Asian Companies.
gianpietro tonetti Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by gianpietro tonetti.
Designer Interview of gianpietro tonetti:
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?
GT : In 1970, at age 12, my father gave me a book: "the winning projects of the Compasso d'Oro in 1970". I read and reread and, in the end, I said to my father: "When I grow up, I will the designer and I will be in this book.": I received the Compasso d'Oro in 1989.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
GT : Mine is a small structure, are a centralist and I find it hard to delegate. Prefer personally follow each step of the project and assist the Client in the final choices.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
GT : All, over the years I have designed products in various commercial sectors. I do not have a preference, I like to bring the design in every field.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
GT : The last one, because that's what sums up the experiences (and mistakes to avoid) of the above.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
GT : Furnishings, since, first to live with design, many years pass, I had to support the work of interior designer. In doing so I had also the opportunity to meet companies, to which present my projects.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
GT : All, I like range over and bring my experiences from an industry sector to another.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
GT : During the night, all my projects are born at night.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
GT : On its feasibility! I do not like the concept ends in themselves, since the first line that I draw, I have to be sure that the product is feasible.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
GT : Completely indescribable, pure pleasure!
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
GT : The dream come true!
DI: What makes a design successful?
GT : The market! After 35 years of work I have not yet figured out!
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
GT : The design is "form-function", must comply with this equation!
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
GT : Huge, the consumer absorbs what the market offers. The designers have a duty to offer sustainable products. Know the technologies and materials, and be propositive towards manufacturing companies.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
GT : In my opinion it is "devolving" from the point of view of content and evolving in terms of technology. Soon we will see the massive popularization of 3D printing, which will bring a revolution in the habits and customs of all.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
GT : Salone del Mobile in Milan Canton Fair
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
GT : Anything can be a source of inspiration, from nature to everyday life. It is very important to know the past if you want to build a future.
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?
GT : Do not think I have a unique style or a style coded. My projects have the presumption to fit the reality of technical and commercial of the Customer .
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?
GT : The first step is always the study of the production processes of the company and the markets in which you want to refer.
DI: How do you work with companies?
GT : In perfect synergy.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
GT : Definitely the achievements and capabilities of formal synthesis.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
GT : The project is a continuous, and at times unconscious, mental processing. At one point, "I see" in front of me the solution and give life to the product.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
GT : The last 5!
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
GT : Wake up at 10.00 am, email from 10.30 am to 12.00 pm, afternoon visits to customers and / or suppliers, 20.00 pm dinner, 22.00 up to 4-5,00 o'clock in the morning in study design.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
GT : Using eco-friendly materials that are innovative and respect the environment, which optimize the production processes and are easy to understand and use for the final customer.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
GT : The positive aspect is that it is the best job in the world. The negative is that, many times, you need to be able to make compromises.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
GT : Design is exactly that when it expresses the synthesis of form for the function it is intended to carry out, after a production process which is correct and respects the rules, so that it can have a fair market price.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
GT : n my opinion, the profession and figure of the designer today, as far as product design is concerned, must be a union between an expert in marketing and a keen connoisseur of the new technologies and production processes, as well as, obviously having great skills in synthesis!
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
GT : A 3D CAD, a rendering program, a good editor program.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
GT : More knowledge you have and the less time it takes to design. In any case, the nights are long!.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
GT : It depends too much from the project that you have to deal with, there are no predetermined time.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
GT : How much does it cost?
DI: What was your most important job experience?
GT : They are all important, every time we create an object!
DI: Who are some of your clients?
GT : Small and Medium Industry
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
GT : Everything, I have no preference. Let me design and are the happiest person in the world!
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
GT : We are working on several projects in different fields.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
GT : I make the the project, my collaborators in the study develops at the level of images, and final presentations.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
GT : I'll talk when I have made
DI: How can people contact you?
GT : Via email, phone or skype