We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Fabrizio Constanza ("FC").
Fabrizio Constanza is an award-winning designer that helps make the World a better place with their original and innovative creations and advanced design works.
Fabrizio Constanza Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Fabrizio Constanza.
Fabrizio Constanza Design - 5972 Olton Desk
Designer Interview of Fabrizio Constanza:
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?
FC : Hello my Name is Fabrizio Constanza I am an Artist and a Designer. My formal training is in Industrial Design. I got my degree from the Metropolitan State College of Denver, now a University. I started my bachelor of Art at the University of North Carolina Greensboro. I was fortunate to had fantastic professors for Art, Design, and technical skills. I became a Designer to improve existing products and an Artist to explore ways to better understand Human behavior. A long the way, I have had realized both products and Human behavior are dynamic.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
FC : The company is dedicated primarily but not limited to the design and production of custom Furniture, Art Furniture, and Conceptual Art. But in 20 years, we have consulted on projects that require design thinking as well. We serve commercial and private clients.
DI: What is "design" for you?
FC : It’s an objective methodology to solve problems for specific requirements that can change overtime. Design can be apply everyday on life and work.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
FC : Well I believe design can be apply in any industry and life. But personally I enjoy very much designing Conceptual Art and Art furniture.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
FC : That is a hard question to answer as there are many designs I admire. But the Bugatti-Type-57S-Atlantic is a design that I relate the most.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
FC : I was involved with the development of the Duke bike at my internship at Dean Bicycles more than 20 years ago. Founder John Siegrist, great guy, excellent vision not to mention a very resilient business man. Well John included me into the development team. I also participated on the design of a three point pivot plate for a full suspension bike. I bring this memory because then I learned the importance to get the job done regardless of what tool the designer has on hand.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
FC : Well I have to say I favor all materials, platforms and technology. I get a great satisfaction when all three are correctly use and mix to deliver the desire result.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
FC : I tend to be more creative during the morning. My creative routine is to go to a coffee shop put on my headphones and sketch.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
FC : That would have to be composition balance. The Composition must be in an eternal balance. Also I am always on the lookout for situations that can occur that need to be predicted.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
FC : Excellent question, I know my mind is ready to develop a creative solution when I am feeling melancholic. Then I get into creative mode and two hours later I have the solution, immediately my feeling change to excitement.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
FC : I feel tranquil when a project is done. Design is a roller-coaster of emotions to me. Every project is an invigorating challenge.
DI: What makes a design successful?
FC : A successful design is that which complies with resolving the client’s vision.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
FC : I judge design by how well the design solves the problem, how functional is the solution, the Balance of composition, production quality, and lifespan vs disposing.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
FC : Designers have as much social and environmental responsibility as any other human being. We can no longer exist as a human race pointing finger to who is responsible of what.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
FC : The Design’s natural evolution is design thinking into the administrative, corporate, business scenery.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
FC : Last year I had a fantastic Solo exhibition at Avia Gallery in Guatemala City. It was a 20 year career celebration. With the gallery, we created a Chronological exhibition of my work with objects that dated back to 1997. General public had a unique access to see work that is on private collections, award winner products, and anniversary unique pieces.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
FC : I manage two aspects on the design inspiration topic. First it is important to tackle the solution to the problem, once that is done I focus on aesthetics. Inspiration comes from: the project itself, past experiences, research and sensitivity.
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?
FC : My design style is Modern, contemporary and extremely Exploratory. I enjoy listening to my clients and interpreting their ideas, that primarily come from emotions.
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?
FC : I live in Guatemala City, the most cosmopolitan city of Central America. Any designer’s heritage should not affect the design, since design is about solving specific situations. Sure many designers make project base on their heritage but that is different. The pro of designing in my city is that people love contemporary design.
DI: How do you work with companies?
FC : It’s important as a designer to understand that companies have protocols and processes. It is essential to follow those rules and talk the language they understand, Cost vs benefit.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
FC : A good designer is that who listen to the client’s narrative and is able to develop a timeline.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
FC : Immerse my brain on project’s information and let the brain do its magic. Then I go analytic with the result.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
FC : French press, Porsche 928, Lego Back to the future Delorean, dishwasher and KSD-2 lounge chair
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
FC : Sure, Wake up go biking or gym, then take my kid to the bus stop, go to a quiet place or coffee shop to brainstorm new projects, from there I go meet the design and financial team at the office, lunch, meeting with clients, play time with my kid, family dinner, flexible time.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
FC : When finishing school, it is hard for designers to find a job. That is because all apply to the same jobs. On my early days as a designer, I analyzed myself and evaluated my abilities and interests from early childhood to high school. Then I developed my design on those areas. I rode bikes as a kid so I worked at a bike company. I played squash as a teen ager, so I design a sales and Marketing plan to represent sport equipment in Guatemala and executed it. I was passionate for art in College so I design for Art. So look at what you enjoy as a kid and apply design to that area.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
FC : The positive of being a good designer is being able to forth see the future and tendencies base on observation. The negative………..there is no negative.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
FC : My golden rule is always to overpass expectations
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
FC : listening
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
FC : The tool box keeps growing; now days the mobile device is my favorite tool, with applications such as WhatsApp, Camera, light and Levels I am able to stay mobile an managing the office. Yet a note book and a pen still essential for the job. About software at the office we use Autocad, 3DMax, Illustrator, Photoshop, Coreldraw.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
FC : It’s important to build a team and delegate tasks to the members.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
FC : Well, it can take from three weeks to several months depending on complexity.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
FC : What are you working on this days?
DI: What was your most important job experience?
FC : Three jobs have forged my design vision. The most currently, designing artistic plinths for a private collection of contemporary Latin Art. It intensified my art appreciation skills. I worked as a custom lighting metal fabricator my first year after design school. I learn firsthand what it takes to produce objects. During Design School I had a fantastic internship at a Custom bicycle manufacturing company. There I learned precision and quality.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
FC : My clients come from broad fields of work and lifestyle. Yet when they pursue a Design project with me, all have a common emotional goal that surpasses the mere need of acquiring a product. Some of my clients are Art Collectors, Doctors, design enthusiasts, hospital, hotels and restaurants.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
FC : I enjoy design in general. Design is a methodology that brings balance and can be apply across all fields. The design that positively influence the most, perhaps bring more satisfaction.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
FC : Art and Design is about bringing innovative ideas to solve situations. Humanity is at an exciting time, to me is important to be active in the community. I am looking forward to engage on Public Cultural Affairs
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
FC : It’s a combination of both. Typically the result is an exercise of collaborative effort that evolves from an idea I am exploring. I encourage the entire team, even the financial people to propose ideas and concerns. It is a lot more fun and usually the project benefits from it.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
FC : We have some fantastic projects, but I can talk about them at this time
DI: How can people contact you?
FC : by mail at : fabrizio@fabrizioconstanza.comFacebook: Fabrizio Constanzaskype: fabrizio Constanzatelephone: 502-5202-6064