We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Luigi Ippoliti and Rosita di Mizio ("LIARDM").
Luigi Ippoliti and Rosita di Mizio is an award-winning designer that helps make the World a better place with their original and innovative creations and advanced design works.
Luigi Ippoliti and Rosita di Mizio Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Luigi Ippoliti and Rosita di Mizio.
Luigi Ippoliti and Rosita di Mizio Design - Shake Off Dog Washing Station
Designer Interview of Luigi Ippoliti and Rosita di Mizio:
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?
LIARDM : We come from different backgrounds, but we share a common vision: using design as a tool to improve people's daily lives. What brought us together is the desire to transform complex problems into accessible, human, and sustainable solutions. We became designers because we believe in design as a cultural, social, and civic act.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
LIARDM : We are a team, but in essence, we are a multidisciplinary laboratory where design, research, and a commitment to social and environmental issues come together. We work on projects ranging from product design to public spaces, with particular attention to inclusion, sustainability, and the creation of environments and objects that, through a zooanthropological approach, promote pet-friendly design.
DI: What is "design" for you?
LIARDM : For us, design is a language for generating change a tool to create meaningful connections between people, animals, objects, and environments. It is not merely about aesthetics or function, but an approach that integrates creativity, technology, and sustainability. Design is also a modus operandi that enables the development of innovative products, which we follow from concept through to production and distribution.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
LIARDM : We are passionate about projects that are useful, democratic, and sustainable, with a particular focus on the world of pet design. We love designing open, modular systems that adapt to their context and generate long-term value. Our greatest interest lies in projects born from intuition those we can develop with “slowness “ and “care”.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
LIARDM : Our favorite kind of design is the one that enhances everyday life, bringing something extraordinary, unique, and unexpected to every object.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
LIARDM : It is a small object, designed to be durable, sustainable, and iconic.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
LIARDM : We are keen to work with recycled and bio-based materials, as well as with digital platforms that enable distributed and adaptable production, such as 3D printing and parametric systems.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
LIARDM : When we take our time to think, when we immerse ourselves in a real context. For us, creativity emerges through dialogue and from observing the complexity of the world, which we approach with curiosity.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
LIARDM : For us, the social impact of the project, sustainability, the zooanthropological approach, form related to functionality, and Beauty are fundamental.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
LIARDM : A combination of enthusiasm, passion, attentiveness, and responsibility. It is a process that engages us both intellectually and emotionally.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
LIARDM : We take great satisfaction in the awareness that every object, once in the world, generates complex and sometimes unpredictable relationships.
DI: What makes a design successful?
LIARDM : When it is ethically sound, aesthetically coherent, and socially useful. Successful design is that which leaves a lasting impact and is open to influence from diverse and heterogeneous disciplines.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
LIARDM : We focus on the honesty of the project, the clarity of its intent, and the real impact. If there is a lack of coherence between the initial insight and the final result, for us, it simply doesn’t work.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
LIARDM : The responsibilities are many. In our view, we must design less, better, and for more people. Every choice carries material, symbolic, environmental, social, and economic weight.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
LIARDM : We believe that design is becoming more relational, interdisciplinary, and conscious. For us, the future of design lies in regeneration, co-design, and shared responsibility, with greater focus on the key challenges of our time.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
LIARDM : The last one took place in a public space, where we exhibited a participatory project. The next will be within the context of MOOD (Museum of Design) in Como, where we will showcase our project “Shake Off.”
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
LIARDM : For us, inspiration comes from people's everyday gestures, social relationships, nature, art and architecture, and the beauty of the sea, which is our muse.
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?
LIARDM : Empathetic, ironic, modular, innovative. We seek flexible and accessible solutions that adapt to the time and place in which they exist.
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?
LIARDM : We live in Italy, in Tortoreto, Abruzzo, where the places inspire projects in dialogue with memory but without nostalgia, because fundamentally, it is nature that is our true muse.
DI: How do you work with companies?
LIARDM : With a collaborative and transparent approach. We seek reliable partnerships based on shared values and clear, achievable goals.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
LIARDM : Companies should have a clear vision, listen, trust, and be open: design is not just a finished product, but a process built together.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
LIARDM : We start by listening to people and observing nature. This is followed by research, synthesis, and initial concepts. We prototype extensively and conduct numerous tests. It is an open, dynamic, and participatory process.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
LIARDM : A Shaker-style chair and table, which embody a way of living and designing based on simplicity, spirituality, and a rigorous approach that successfully combines functionality and beauty. Equally interesting to us are Philippe Starck’s “Juicy Salif” citrus juicer, for its striking form, and Karim Rashid’s “Kontrol” chair. Lastly, a design object to which we are particularly attached is Aldo Rossi’s espresso coffee maker “La Cupola,” created for Alessi.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
LIARDM : Every day is different. We alternate between moments of research and discussion, and more hands-on phases.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
LIARDM : We recommend always nurturing curiosity, learning from mistakes, and placing people’s needs at the center of design.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
LIARDM : The positive aspects of being a designer include the opportunity to innovate and positively impact people's lives. Among the negative aspects are the high expectations that need to be managed.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
LIARDM : Creating accessible design that combines functionality and beauty, focusing on the user experience with an optimistic and inclusive approach.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
LIARDM : The most important skills for a designer include creativity and innovation, empathy, flexibility and adaptability, interdisciplinary knowledge, effective communication, and a passion for continuous improvement.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
LIARDM : Paper, pen, modeling and visualization software, 3D printing, physical models. But also: conversations, concept maps, co-design workshops.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
LIARDM : We embrace the complexity and timing of the process. We strive to maintain a balance between rigor and flexibility, knowing that time is an integral part of the project.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
LIARDM : It depends on the context. It can take weeks or months. Each project has its own evolution, including pauses and revisions.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
LIARDM : The most frequent question? Probably: Where does inspiration come from? And my answer is always the same: from observing life. Design does not come from an aesthetic whim, but from a deep desire to improve daily life. Every object must serve an idea, not the other way around.
DI: What was your most important job experience?
LIARDM : For us as designers, every job even the smallest is important. Each project is a unique opportunity to experiment, learn, and contribute with value.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
LIARDM : Our clients include both private individuals and companies, active in various areas of design and architecture.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
LIARDM : We are particularly passionate about pet design because it combines functionality, aesthetics, and attention to animal well-being, creating solutions that improve the coexistence between people and their pets.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
LIARDM : We have several projects in progress and are enthusiastically working on upcoming challenges. We invite you to follow us on our social media channels to stay updated on all news and future developments.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
LIARDM : We always work as a team, including with external partners. We believe collaboration is the driving force behind the project.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
LIARDM : We are currently developing pet design projects focused on animal care and on improving the quality of indoor spaces in homes shared by humans and animals.
DI: How can people contact you?
LIARDM : Through our website, email, and social media channels, we are always open to exchanges, collaborations, and new visions.
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
LIARDM : We would like to add that the ethical and legal aspects of design, such as the protection of intellectual property, design transparency, and social responsibility, are fundamental and deserve further attention.