We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Mariela Capote ("MC").

Designer's name is Mariela Capote. Mariela enjoys manifesting both functionality and delight through design. She has designed, supervised and executed the building of restaurants, bars, cafeterias, music clubs, ice cream shops, children's cutlery, multi-functional modular shelves, among many others. She wants the relationship of human beings with objects to be more fluid and enjoyable. For example, cutlery designed specifically for persons with disabilities which does not look infantile or demeaning as many of the current models do, ergonomic cutlery designed for kids in order to familiarize them with the utensils with more ease and safer than with adult size cutlery, modular units such as shelves for different uses in the home made of sustainable and ecological materials. Mariela enjoys creating objects and designs for people to not only meet their daily functions with efficiency but also with delight, thereby removing unnecessary stress from their common activities and providing the space they deserve to enjoy life.

Mariela Capote Designs

We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Mariela Capote.

Designer Interview of Mariela Capote:

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?

MC : I always liked creating and I liked to observe my uncle as he arranged things at the house and my father as he drew plans for his roads. I wanted to study sculpture but I couldn't because school was far away and I entered the design career and fell in love with it, since then I have not stopped designing

DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?

MC : I am an industrial designer who graduated in 2010 from the Higher Institute of Design in Cuba, I design interiors, furniture, accessories, appliances, and also graphic design.

DI: What is "design" for you?

MC : It's everything to me, it's a way of life, it's a decision, it's a way to help people, and create a more functional and pleasant world.

DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?

MC : Design products and furniture

DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?

MC : My favorite design is a set of glass tableware that allows you to exchange accessories with each other and you can change the function of each one as well as the color, allowing each user to become a designer and personalize their tableware daily, the limit is the imagination of each client

DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?

MC : A set of cutlery

DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?

MC : Sustainable materials. In terms of technology, I find 3D printing valuable for its ability to create complex designs.

DI: When do you feel the most creative?

MC : Ideas come to me at any time, but for me, nights and early mornings are calmer and more relaxing to design.

DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?

MC : For the client, the user experience is not only functional, but also intuitive and aesthetically pleasing. The sustainability of the product is also important to me.

DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?

MC : Pleasure and peace

DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?

MC : It evokes immense joy, peace, satisfaction, a sense of pride and achievement. It is rewarding to know that something I have created will be used and appreciated by others.

DI: What makes a design successful?

MC : He who solves a problem effectively is aesthetically pleasing. Listening to clients and their needs is the key to achieving a successful design

DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?

MC : Its functionality, interaction with the client

DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?

MC : Designers have the responsibility to create solutions that consider the environmental impact of materials and processes and design products that improve the quality of life of users.

DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?

MC : The design field is becoming increasingly interdisciplinary, integrating technology, sustainability, and user-centric approaches. The future of design lies in creating adaptable, sustainable solutions that can address global challenges.

DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?

MC : The last one was in Spain with Porcelanosa, I would like the next one in New York

DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?

MC : From everywhere

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?

MC : It is a mix of minimalism and functionality, with a strong emphasis on ecology. This style allows me to create sustainable and practical designs. My approach involves extensive research, user feedback.

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?

MC : I currently live in Mexico, but each country I have visited has enriched my way of designing, but the style of my native country, Cuba, prevails. I grew up in a country where we are creating and inventing how to solve every problem of daily life and we could express with the phrase: less is more

DI: How do you work with companies?

MC : Starting with deep conversations to understand your needs and vision. This collaboration is close and continues throughout the design process, ensuring that the final product is what the company needs.

DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?

MC : Companies should look for designers who align with their values ​​and vision. Be flexible about details and be welcome to new ideas

DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?

MC : It starts with conversations with customers, extensive research. This is followed by brainstorming, sketching and prototyping. Feedback at each stage. Verify that the design is what the client needs

DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?

MC : Cutlery, Butterfly Chair, Childhood Glass, Refrigerator and Laptop

DI: Can you describe a day in your life?

MC : The day starts early for me, with a cup of fruit smoothie as I prepare to immerse myself in a world of forms, functions, and materials. My desk, an organized chaos of sketches, 3D models, and material samples, is my canvas. The projects are varied and at night I rest by taking a walk in the park or watching something on TV.

DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?

MC : Curiosity is your best friend. Observe, ask and question everything. Inspiration can come from anywhere, from nature to the most advanced technology. Never stop learning

DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?

MC : Designers have the freedom to express their creativity and bring innovative ideas to life, working on a wide range of projects, which avoids monotony and allows them to explore different areas of design. On the negative side, deadlines are often tight, which can cause stress and limit creativity.

DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?

MC : A functional project, "Form follows function"

DI: What skills are most important for a designer?

MC : Creativity and curiosity

DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?

MC : Software use 3dmax, Adobe package, Illustrator, Photoshop, and inspiration the world

DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?

MC : I enjoy designing and time is not something that torments me, I schedule myself to have projects on time but I spend a lot of time on the machine because I enjoy it.

DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?

MC : It varies, I can design in a day and sometimes a month

DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?

MC : And you designed all that?

DI: What was your most important job experience?

MC : Work exchange with Rheavendors, allowed me to explore a whole different world around the world of coffee, and provide very diverse and enriching creative solutions.

DI: Who are some of your clients?

MC : Varied and around the world, anyone who needs a design solution

DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?

MC : I enjoy multifunctional product projects that can provide versatile solutions and allow users to use them in different ecological ways.

DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?

MC : I want to create my own design studio

DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?

MC : I make all my designs by myself.

DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?

MC : Study of the entire breastfeeding process to create a bottle that helps babies with all gas problems and maintains the milk with all its properties.

DI: How can people contact you?

MC : marielacapote86@gmail.com

DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?

MC : A designer must be passionate about their work