Gabriel Antunes Henke Carrano

Specialized in Pet Care Design.

Gabriel Antunes Henke Carrano

About Gabriel Antunes Henke Carrano

Graduated on Architecture and Urban Planning and a current Furniture Designer - highly developed skills in creating 3d models, mockups and rendering images. Defined as an adaptable, ambitious, self-motivated and confident individual, qualities that I combine with a limitless imagination and creativity. I can spend a day reading and living design, learning about materials (especially different types of woods), design history and support others really talented designers on social media. I can be easily found in a woodshop where I make myself useful to society!

  • Winner of the A' Design Award.
  • Specialized in Pet Care Design.
  • Original Design.
  • Creative, Diligent and Innovative.
  • All Designs
  • Pet Care
Pudu Pet House

Pudu Pet House

Pet Care Design

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Interview with Gabriel Antunes Henke Carrano

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?
My first contact with "design" was in 2011. I started at Architecture School and I made my own bedroom furniture from cardboard boxes. At that moment I realized how important functionalism, aesthetics, and structure are for my field of work. Then I continued studying and improving my knowledge of furniture design areas by reading, prototyping, trying, and drawing a lot of things to make my life more enjoyable and easier. So, no, I didn't always want to become a designer, I started to want it when I started to need it to live a better life.
Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
I am an autonomous designer doing my job from my house/laboratory. Here I can experiment forms, materials e, and sort of different things that can or cannot be transformed into original designs. I call my place HNK, my surname without the E's. Is a nice and small company where I do everything with love and respect for my client's wellbeing
What is "design" for you?
Design is the possibility to make people enjoy atmospheres in a more intense perspective, which is the perfect balance between functionalism and beauty. It is art with science, it's a cake recipe with personal touches.
What kinds of works do you like designing most?
I design for people's needs. That said, my main area when I do my job is furniture with some innovative perspective (for me of course, I know I'm not creating something never seen before in the entire world) and traditional techniques.
What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
My design crush is LCW by the Eameses! It's beautiful, funny, well constructed, and based on wood: the most democratic material to designers. The pieces support each other, they are essential to the whole thing! And also is timeless.
What was the first thing you designed for a company?
My first piece of design was a Nightstand called Corça. It is made of tubular steel and freijó wood: very light, very Brazilian-like.
What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
Wood: as I said the most democratic material. You don't need necessarily an electrical machine to work with it, you need a plan, a necessity for something, and the will to make it work.
When do you feel the most creative?
When I found something that could be better with adjustments and during the shower, lunch or another time that I have my mind free to think about nothing in specific but that is cliché.
Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
Is it functional? Is it Unique? Is it possible? Will it be affordable? Is it going to last?
What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
Love, sometimes frustration when it is not working, happiness right after a discovery, peace when I see it making someone's life better! My relationship with my design process comes from different moods, but also starts with "this would be awesome to have in my home"
What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
Excitement, euphoria, happiness. All of it together and the sense of good work being done.
When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
Originality, respect for traditions, material usage, and price. It is not a good design if people can't afford it.
From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
Designers are professionals responsible to translate to space what society needs even when they don't know it yet.
How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
Design is making a difference when is used to improve relations when it allows a more functional day for people. The future of design is to make the material usage cycle realistic and THE priority for us.
When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
I think I don't have an answer to that. I didn't have my first exhibition yet and I hope it will be in a place where people need to see what I have to offer. A place where I can inspire others to make a difference where they can see a Latino gay guy can make the design works!
Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
It comes from nature, the unusual forms of Brazil's landscape, the national materials, and tradition. I try to get all the information that I can daily on newsletter, books, mood boards, metro stations, bus stops, shopping malls, public places... even during church ceremony all can be used for a creative image and to have it you need to practice.
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?
I call it Brasilidade: which means I respect my country tradition, materials, and manufacturing process. We need to revive Brazil's love for culture more than ever, so my job right now is to prove its value to more and more Brazilians
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 a small town called São Miguel Arcanjo in São Paulo. Here we have a tradition to use wood on crafts projects and I embraced this on my designs. The Brazilian culture is definitely a pro because is an unlimited font to inspiration the high cost of production is the worst con that we have.
How do you work with companies?
Currently, I have a curatorship office doing this bridge between me and the furniture industry. I have to say a big thanks to Estevam Carvalhaes and all people on Tri Design.
What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
Listen to them. Do not have a defensive posture. Don't think the designer as money spend monsters. Please don't waste water and materials.
Can you talk a little about your design process?
I started with simple mood board references, a motive to design it, drawings, simple cardboard models, conceptual arts, different forms and structure options, details, technical drawings. The usual. I am not trying to reinvent any method, I listen to people who are on this job longer than me
What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
My Armchair where I spend half of my day on it. My Bed (a good night of sleep is always a priority) How my old printer has the right hight to support my fan on my face during summer My office table of course The nightstand that I designed with soft top so I don't hurt myself every morning to turn my alarm off
Can you describe a day in your life?
Wake up > Running routine > Design Book > News > Drawing moment > Meetings > New Drawings > Check informations with others professionals involved on the project > Restorations Class > "What I learn to day" Diary
From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
It's nice to have the "power" to create new things, it's amazing the possibility to be in people's houses, I can work listen to music and I can improve people's relations. It's problematic sometimes when the cost is too high to make something really awesome. It's a pain sometimes to detail a very organic piece and deal with other designer's ego.
Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
Paper, pencil, crayons, mouse, 3Ds max, SketchUp, Illustrator, Rhino, cardboard, wire, glue, wood, manual saw, more glue, my glasses, my iPad, my headphones and coffee.
Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
Planning every single step and every single move using my Google Sheets habilities.
How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
If it just depends on me, 2 months. If it depends on more machinery work and other people, can be more. I am fresh on the business so I don't have an answer to that, I'm sorry!
What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
"So, What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer". I am not trying to be funny, but that is the reality, sorry.
What was your most important job experience?
During the 2015 summer, I spend 2 months with Gail Borden at the USC architecture office developing projects. I learned so much from it!
What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
I love to design for a purpose and when I know how the person is going to use my design. I like to know their routines so the de design can be unique.
What are your future plans? What is next for you?
I am preparing myself to be a professor. I love to teach and I think it's time to teach design to the next generation. I also want to launch a very crazy and uncommon line of furniture based on Brazilian folklore
Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
I listen to a lot of very impressive advisors, but my designs start with me, a pencil, and my notebook.
Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
I have some work in progress but I don't think I can talk much. They are made thinking of organic shapes in a more sophisticated way but always in simple concepts.
How can people contact you?
By my Instagram! It's 2020, people! @henke.gabriel By the way
Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
Democratic design is important, otherwise, we will design for museums in the future.

Designer of the Day Interview with Gabriel Antunes Henke Carrano

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
I started as an Architecture student, but during my graduation, I fell in love with furniture design. It was the beginning of my carrier creating furniture five years ago. Since then I have worked with some Brazilians companies such as Proa and Karams. I also developed a respect for the educational field, and I am preparing myself to be a professor soon.
How did you become a designer?
Everything happened during my college years and was a sum of factors. First, I was not able to buy furniture for my college dorm, so I built a wardrobe and made it using my moving cardboard boxes! It made me realize the importance of design. Then during classes, I was introduced to amazing works by Eames, Saarinen, and Grey who made me understand that furniture is made so people can enjoy the space. And finally, during an internship in Chicago, I created a piece of furniture for one of the classes and I had zero workshop experience so I did a lot of improvised techniques which made the professor say "you are really good at this". So I believed in him!
What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
My goal is always design a furniture so people can be present on the envirolment. For exemple a nice chair to chat with friends, I really good sideboard to put a stereo and dancing around. The furniture must be part of the user and vice-versa. I got my inspiration on simples shapes, and countinous lines so I guess my design can be part of the industrial style box.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
First exitement, second anxiety! I think being anxious is part of who we are as designers, because we don't want to fail, and sometimes what is good on our mind looks bad in the physical world. And that's ok! That allows us to feel challenged and then to feel tired after all the tryouts but at the end the feeling is happiness for a good job done.
What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?
My professors during architecture college always said that my projects were very formal and not so functional as an architecture project. I think that moved me towards an area where I could be both, but with special attention to formal aspects.
What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?
The next step is looking for partners to design with. I think is amazing when two or more ideas became one good design. One possible path is to create a physical space like an atelier for my designs, but I am not aiming for that at the moment, it sounds pretentious, I want to design and I want to collaborate in designs before that. And thinking more ahead about the future I see myself as a professor of Furniture Design History.
What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
Always read your contracts. Trust in the process. Record every single idea that you share. Don't be afraid to change your designs during the process. Be loyal to people who helped you, but set boundries.
You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?
I think if I have this power to influence other fellow designers I will use it to say: think in the future, use more green materials, improve your techniques and teach young professionals that ask for help.
What is your day to day look like?
I start my day with physical exercises so I can wake up my body, then I light my mind with books and games before I start my workday. Usually, I prefer to draw by hand the initial steps of a new design, so I do that in the morning and for the technical part I usually design during the afternoon ending my day with podcasts and books about design.
How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?
I am signed up with a lot of newsletters and I always talk to my friends about what they are seeing in the market. I think trends are important to give us the north, but they can be taken for granted. You need to trust that what you are designing is got influenced by what you are reading and seeing.
How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?
We always need to know when to stop designing and this point will be decided by different people besides you, your partner, the industry, or the company that you are designing for. That is a well-designed product it is good for you, the partners, and if the user is happy with it, is a good design. If a design can not be improved it is either a good design or an impossible design to exist.
How do you decide if your design is ready?
I like to craft a 3d model with all the parts. If I can do it without any difficulties, and the parts work well together as functional and formal matters, it is ready for me.
What is your biggest design work?
I have to say Pudu. It is going really well nationally and internationally. It is having great acceptance in contests and got a lot of attention from the public and press.
Who is your favourite designer?
I think it changes a lot. At the moment the work of Lina Bo Bardi is exceptional to me. She really got Brazilian society at her time, and create amazing furniture and architectural works over here.
Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?
I have a pretty calm and easy way to live my life. I like to know places to get inspired by them, and at the same time, I like to be surrounded by my family and friends, protected from the world. This duality is nice because I can get in touch with different realities but always return to my own. I think I live every single aspect of my braziliness in the music that I listen to, the food that I eat every day, and the way I try to solve problems. Out Brazilian way is of life is practical, funny, and light.
Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?
I always start my projects alone with a pencil and a piece of paper. Then, when I know what I want I start to get more information about how this can be done. Sometimes the best way is to present your initial drawings to partners and the ideas can be summed to a better design project to be made. Then is time to start the prototype, find errors and flaws to fix them, and create the best possible piece of furniture. In this process is important to be resilient, smart, and open to ideas.
What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?
I recent developt a bech made by recycling plastic that can be used as a shelter for homeless people. It is a project in which people who live in the streets can help collect plastic waste to create the benches that will be used during the day as benches and as shelters at the night.
What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?
A' Design Award made me realize that is important to explain my design choices in a more didactical way. Sometimes when we are creating a design we don't think about our decisions in a way that is automatic to make some of them. With the forms and questions, I could understand my own design process!

Extended Interview with Gabriel Antunes Henke Carrano

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
I am an achitect and urban planner graduated from Uniersidade Estadual de Londrina, Brazil I spent an year studying furniture design at Illinois Institute of Technology
How did you become a designer?
I live to make people's life easier. That's my main concern. And I think that's why I became a designer.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
I design a lot of differen typer of furniture. I wish I could design more furniture for stores.
What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?
The idea needs to come from yout experiences, so you will know 100% of it.
What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
originallity, good finishes, if it is going to last long time, easy to assemble, easy to clean. All that makes a good design better.
You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?
I think investment is the wrong word. I think people should know good design first, then they will be able to use it. And for that the value of a good design is to be acessible for as many people as possible.
How do you decide if your design is ready?
Charles and Ray Eames, The Bouroullec Brothers, Campana Brothers, Lina Bo Bardi, Sergio Rodrigues, Pepe Lima, Etel Carmona, Estevam Carvalhaes, Paulo Mendes da Rocha, Shyro Kuramata
What is your biggest design work?
Steelwood Chair by Bouroulec Brothers: Respect for the material Mole Armchair by Sergio Rodrigues: All the braziliness in one piece LCW chair by The Eames: My first love Bowl Chair by Lina Bo Bardi: Amazing lines en concept.
Who is your favourite designer?
Me greatest design is always my last one! I am too young to have a definitive masterpiece
What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?
Design is what makes people's life more enjoyable and functional

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