Federica Di Pietro

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?

I decided to study industrial design because I believe that material culture is fundamental in human life.

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

I got my bachelor degree exactly one year ago... so for the moment I don't have a studio and probably I will go on with my studies.

What is "design" for you?

To design for me means to give someone the chance to live an experience.

What kinds of works do you like designing most?

At the moment I like designing objects for home, since this kind of objects is the viewer of our private life.

What was the first thing you designed for a company?

The project I developed for my bachelor dissertation which is the same project winner of this prize.

What is your favorite material / platform / technology?

Actually, I do not have a favorite material. I prefer to say that I am in love with materiality of things.

What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?

When I design I am absorbed in the work, I feel my self completely involved.

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

A great satisfaction and curiosity to see people's reaction.

What makes a design successful?

Idea, meanings and history. People need not only function, but also amusement and delight.

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

Surely emotional end interaction design will develop a lot. But also the handicraft will play an important role.

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

My last exhibition was i Italy during the Catanzaro Design Week. I will have my next exhibition during the 1st International Food Design and Food Studies Conference in Lisbon (October 2017).

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

Mostly from old craftsmanship techniques and from nature geometry.

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?

My approach to design is focused on multisensorial perception, so involve as many senses as possible in every project.

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?

I live in Tuscany, Italy and obviously the cultural heritage of my county influenced my education but I think this is important, since roots with territory culture and society are fundamental.

How do you work with companies?

I am a designer, not an artist. So I believe is fundamental to pay attention to client requests.

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

A good designer is someone able to understand people. Someone who do psychology throughout objects.

Can you talk a little about your design process?

I start to focus and analyse the theme. I spend lot of time doing some research before start to draw.

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

It is often an undervalued job and the word "design" is too used.

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

Sometimes I need a period, three or two days, of completely stop.

Who are some of your clients?

Coltelleria Saladini, and small local company or cultural association.