Alfredo Laria

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 have been involved with bathroom and home interior design for mayn years of my career and finally decided to go a step further and start designing my own products.

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

Onogreen is a company focused on bathroom and toilet accessories that offer exclusive or patented designs that imply an aesthetic and functional improvement.

What is "design" for you?

Design is the creation according to aesthetic and functional criteria. Design has to reflect its time, sometimes disruptively.

What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?

t´s hard to choose just one but PSX2 DUALSHOCK controller is a superb design which accomplish all the requirements to be a perfect design: innovation, ergonomics, elegant,cool and practical and inspiration for the other video console controllers.

What was the first thing you designed for a company?

A disposable package for beverages . I think it's fantastic, but the development implies a large investment in fixed assets, so I see it as difficult for it to be released on the market.

What is your favorite material / platform / technology?

Plastic. I know that many will not agree with this opinion but we have to realize that we have trees thanks to the existence of plastic. Today it is difficult to imagine a world without plastic in which all the solutions that plastic now provides are replaced by other types of materials of vegetal origin. Could you imagine a car without plastic, made of wood? Whenever plastic is criticized, we forget to remember that it is a highly recyclable material and that makes it ecological. Plastic and recycling make a good couple.

When do you feel the most creative?

Well, I can not tell when, I suppose that It could be at anytime. No es necesario estar de un humor especial para pensar en un diseño. The thing is to be focussed in the project 24 hours a day.

What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?

Definitely anxiety. I like things for "the day before yesterday" even though I know that creating a good design takes time.

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

Once you see your design on the stores and perceive the satisfaction of the users, it is undeniable not to feel a little satisfaction and pride.

What makes a design successful?

Design is the creation according to aesthetic and functional criteria. A good design is one that society accepts as its own because it brings improvements and inspires others by creating style and providing joy. Design has to reflect its time, sometimes disruptively.

When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?

Attraction. The first thing is to feel the attraction for the design, the need to touch it, try it. If a design does not provoke this first impulse, it may be rejected by society even if it is a good solution. Unfortunately, there are thousands of examples of excellent designs that have failed because they have not been able to communicate their values at first glance.

From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?

The easy answer could be that today the designer must be committed to a personal code of respect for the environment and that's true but I also think that the designer has to think of global solutions from which the whole world can benefit.

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

Artificial intelligence has come to stay and there will be a before and after of AI. Everything around us will be affected and particularly the world of design. You have to be positive and consider this new technology as an important step forward even if at first it generates distrust.

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

Everything starts from the observation of the relationship of people with the objects that surround them and the discovery of new materials and solutions.

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 don't think I am the most appropriate person to define my style but I would like it to be simple, pleasant and and joygenerate momentum and joy.

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 am lucky to spend most of my time in cangas de onis. A small city in the north of Spain where history, culture and nature converge. Undoubtedly one of the best places in the world to live.

How do you work with companies?

I try to listen to them and meet their expectations and time frames. If I see that I can't do it, I don't commit myself.

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

Talent. Hard skills and soft skills, knowing how to listen, meet deadlines and orders and hard work.

Can you talk a little about your design process?

It starts with observation and continues with a first hand survey about the chances of success of the project.

What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?

Braun Citromatic, Psx4, Artemide Tolomeo Mini Table, Ray Ban Wayfarer 2140, bmw r1200 C Classic '98

Can you describe a day in your life?

I´d like to but fortunately or unfortunately there is not a day I can choose to describe my life, most of them are caotic.

Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?

Observation, academic preparation, experience, empathy, courage, without haste... and never give up. They are clichés but they are still valid. Easy to say but hard to do.

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

Learning to respect the opinions of others about our work can be hard but it is necessary to move forward because you´ll only learn from mistakes.

What skills are most important for a designer?

Know how to listen to people, even when they don't speak. Detecting the behavior of people with objects and being able to improve it is within the reach of very few, but if a young designer applies this recipe, it will be easier for him to achieve his goals.

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

When I'm working on a new project, I put all my effort into it 24 hours a day. I am not very good at managing my time in daily basics, there are no rules when it comes to creating or not.

How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?

This invisible toilet brush design took me a year and I think is was not longer than others.

What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?

People often ask me how come I thought of something so simple and cool. I don't want to be pretentious but I'm flattered when they do.

Who are some of your clients?

Particulars and small companies related to interiorsm and innovative bathroom solutions.

What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?

There is no particular type of design, every day I can see something that catches my attention. I could say Art Decó, Pop Art and Punk . The influence of punk design in recent years has been significant and has left its mark in various areas such as fashion, music, art and culture in general. The use of vibrant colors and everyday consumer materials has been influenced by the punk aesthetic.

What are your future plans? What is next for you?

I'm going to write a script for a graphic novel focussed on children and the way that new generations communicte each other all over the world. It´s a good story and I think it is necessary to share it.

Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?

I am developing a new bathroom toilet design with a concealed cistern.

How can people contact you?

I am avalaible all the time on the internet by email: onogreen@onogreen.com

Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?

Not really, but I am open to answer any questions related to my work with pleasure