We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Simone Mantovani ("SM").
Simone Mantovani has being working for more than 20 years, with passion and delight for architecture and people, translating desires and ways of life into forms, functionality and technology, in a unique and individual approach. Always researching for new materials and solutions that could impact and improve her projects, and combining her knowledge in interior design, lighting and cenography for innovative and surprising results. And not least, customer participation is stimulated to the maximum and seen as crucial to the definitive success of her projects.
Simone Mantovani Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Simone Mantovani.
Designer Interview of Simone Mantovani:
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?
SM : Always passionated for architecture, I started working very young, even before I got my architecture graduation, at my familys construction business.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
SM : In 2001, I started up my own studio, Simone Mantovani Arquitetura, integrating my background experiences on commercial, residencial and institucional architecture with interior design. That is the way we work, aiming to find complete answers for the projects and the clients desires and needs.
DI: What is "design" for you?
SM : The expression of the creative intuition of the designer in a functional physical form, bringing value and harmony to our day to day.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
SM : Mostly residences.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
SM : My favorite design is the Baroneza Residence, last year silver award winner, with its seven meters high ceiling, glass walled living room with little number of walls, wide spaces, transparences and a great variety of textures.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
SM : I designed a country house with garden at the rooftop.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
SM : I work with a great variety of materials, specially wood, metal, concrete and natural stones.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
SM : When I have freedomto create.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
SM : How to translate functionality into form.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
SM : I get very focused when I'm designing, as if the time doesn't exist.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
SM : I really feel complete.
DI: What makes a design successful?
SM : Determination, concentration, knowledge and creativity.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
SM : If the purpose was fulfilled.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
SM : Our responsibilities are many. we deal with the peoples lives and for that, respect is fundamental.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
SM : Design is in everything nowadays and it will be more and more.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
SM : My last exhibition was at Como, at A Design Award.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
SM : People, materials, technology.
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?
SM : I like to think that Im a minimalist. I love this idea in life in general.
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?
SM : I live in Brazil. Yes, my country affects my way of thinking and living. We have good influencial architects, thats a good aspect.
DI: How do you work with companies?
SM : I mostly work to my own clients.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
SM : Consider the expertize of the designer.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
SM : At first, I consider the clients briefing, and start the process adapting their desire into shapes.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
SM : Vitra, Massaud, Archile, Urciola, myself.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
SM : Work, work, work.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
SM : Be free, be focused, restless.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
SM : Mostly all positive.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
SM : Never say no.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
SM : Expand my business internationally.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
SM : I work both ways, depending the size of the project.
DI: How can people contact you?
SM : By email contato@simonemantovani.com.br