We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Edoardo Colzani ("EC").
Born in Cantù in 1973, Edoardo studied at the I.S.Co. (Institute of Communication) of Como, where he graduated in 1997 and, after completing his studies, he starts teaching “Computer Design” and “Industrial Design” from 1998 until 2001. In 2000 he began his professional career alongside Emmanuel Babled in Milan, working independently on several product design projects. In 2001 he opened his own studio in Brianza and starts to collaborate with renowned companies in the "product design" sector, ranging in various fields such as cosmetics, industrial mechanics and furniture. During his career, he consulted as art director for international design brands such as Laurameroni Design Collection with which he collaborates since 2013. In 2016 Edoardo achieves a major award at the Venice Biennale, and exposes two projects during this prestigous event. Furthermore in 2016, he opened his own start-up company which designs and produces wooden toys for children, achieving many awards and managing to enter the Design Museum of the Triennale di Milano.
Edoardo Colzani Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Edoardo Colzani.
Edoardo Colzani Design - Talento Unlimited Cabinet
Edoardo Colzani Design - Talento Table
Designer Interview of Edoardo Colzani:
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?
EC : I was born in a family based in furniture design in Brianza, the heart of furniture and design art. Despite I didn't studied Industrial Design at the beginning. I have studied law and then i decided to become a designer. I decided to design products and I started opening my study 18 years ago.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
EC : My design studio started his history 18 years ago with a cosmetics project for a small company, and in the last 10 years it has expanded, touching also different fields such as Graphic design and Art Direction.
DI: What is "design" for you?
EC : I could answer you with a phrase which I always use to express it :"designing is positive culture, the active and conscious attitude of those who can devise new solutions for the present and the future"
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
EC : I was born in a family that worked in furniture design for several years, and so i like very much to design furniture products.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
EC : I think that my favourite was my Snooze Lamp. I have presented it to the market during Maison & Objet in Paris and it was the first rechargeable portable light presented to the market.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
EC : It was a cosmetic project for a small company. I have designed an eyeliner, a lipstick and some other pieces of a cosmetics collection.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
EC : I like very much materials such as wood and copper.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
EC : In the evening and when I walk alone in the park of my study.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
EC : During my thoughts about a new product design, first of all i think about the use of my product, trying to expand it and removing the superfluous, bring my new product to its simple life.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
EC : I'm so exicetd designing a new product that I can't stop making it better and better.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
EC : I'm so proud. it's a really hard feeling to explain, but the most important thing that I think, is about the feeling that people can feel using my new product. I hope all of them could fell my same emotions.
DI: What makes a design successful?
EC : First of all simplicity. Design doesn't have to be so complicated and difficult...it has to solve a problem or a market question.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
EC : As I told you before, I analize the simplicity of the project, trying to analize it using the market eyes. This is the most important thing.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
EC : I think it's about giving a person the chance to feel comfortable in the everyday use of a product.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
EC : Design is evolving at a smashing speed, but what is most important is the fact that design itself is changing, is trying to integrate multiple disciplines into one product.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
EC : My last exhibition was in DesignVe, during the Biennale of Architecture & design in Venice in 2016.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
EC : I take inspiration from all over the items which are around me in my daily life. Many times the solution to our problem during the project of a new product is in front of us, maybe in a park, and we do not realize it.
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?
EC : First of all I put myself on the side of the final user and I try to imagine how it could be my use of the object I'm drawing. I always try to simplify the shapes of my objects by removing every superfluous part, which very often disturbs the shapes.
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?
EC : I live in the Italy area called Brianza, and I think that this is the heart of Italy design. In this area there are the most famous companies of Italy furniture design.
DI: How do you work with companies?
EC : My work with companies is about designing new products or following them with their image, working as Art Director, and trying to improve the image with which they present their products on the market. I start from designing a new product and then i follow photographs and sets.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
EC : Companies should choose a good designer, not only from his company profile, but also analizing his projects and finding in them the good solution for their specific new products
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
EC : It is very natural. First of all i pick-up a blank sheet of paper, and I make a brainstorming in my mind, trying to put on the paper, some idea and sketches. Then I work with 3d modeler and acad software, in order to do a positive work not only for the eyes but also for manifacturer.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
EC : My dinner table: Less table by Molteni, the Alfa chair always by Molteni. Then I have got a Splugen Brau pendant light by Flos. My kitchen chair by Kartel Dolly model. But my favourite is the bed of my master bed-room. I've designed it 20 years ago and its particularity is the headbord made of a 3 square meters unique pieces of glas. I'm really in love with it.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
EC : I'm a coffee lovers, and my days starts always witha good coffee and a newspaper. Then I can consider myself ready for working.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
EC : There is one pearl of wisdom, which I have used also for my University Graduation: "planning is positive culture, the active and conscious attitude of those who can devise new solutions for the present and the future”
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
EC : I loved very much my work, and this brings me to find only positives and good vibes about it. If I have to find a negative point of my work, I can say you the short time that companies often give for the design of a new product. Our creativity unfortunately can not be controlled and this goes against companies timeline.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
EC : Absolutely is professional ethics, without it there is no future.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
EC : Originality and the attention to the changes around us. Many times designer do not notice that the way to work is changed, and they do not use technology as a resource.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
EC : I use only inspiration and I take it from all over around me. I start looking very carefully around me, searching the right inspiration from a very simple thing, such as a trafic signs, or old places in my city.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
EC : One of the most difficult thing in our work is creativity. It is not a sensation that comes every day at the same time, like newspaper in the mailbox. I manage my time, during designing, depending by my creativity...when I reach it I work hardly till the end of the project.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
EC : It depends about the project itself. For example: my lamp Globe, the which that had won the A'Design Award take us 1 year of planning design, starting from the sketches till the industrialized product. It depens by the different aspects of the product.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
EC : Obviously customer asked for originality, simplicity and to design a easly production product. We have to take care about many aspects if we want to do a very good and durable product
DI: What was your most important job experience?
EC : In 2006 I have designed an Hospitality Trailer for Ferrari UK for Ferrari car Challenge Formula. It was a very difficult project but it was very satisfying because I have worked in the UK for 6 mounths with engineers and designers from many different countries. I remember every single business meeting of that project.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
EC : I work with many furniture companies and lighting companies. Not only in the Italy market.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
EC : I do not think that there is a design work which i prefer from the others. Every new product is a new challenge, and I work on it with the same passion.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
EC : I'm trying to expand myself. First of all finding a new location for my working office, and then expanding also my collaborators list.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
EC : Generally I worked by myself, but there are some companies for which I worked with a team of professionals figures, such as Architects, Stylist and photographers.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
EC : During 2018 Milano Design week, I have strated a very important new project. With a team of other designer and product manager, we are working for a new furniture companies based in India, and we have to design all about this company, starting from all the Corporate Image, Mood set and all the furniture collection. It will take us years of work.
DI: How can people contact you?
EC : On my website there are all my contacts and people can contact me sending a simple e-mail or calling.
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
EC : Anything else...We have covered many aspects of designers work.