Interview with Ana Volante
Design Legend Interview
9 May 2020
I studied interior design in Venezuela and then moved to Milan. Came back to Caracas and started working for some architectural firms until i launched my own interior design studio
it was in my veins. I was surrounded with my grandfather's architectural and artistic work since little. so it was natural to ride the same path as him. he has been a great source of inspiration for me
i chose! since little i knew i wanted to be a designer or architect
i create interior design an art proposals for homes. I want to keep doing what i do and expand my furniture collection to a wider range of products.
have passion for what they do, discipline and work hard
there a many factors to take into considerations, functionality, materials, design, sustainability, costs
good design is timesless. It will continue its value during time.
wow! so many come to my mind!!. I admire so many architects, artists and designers that have inspired me all along the way. I would love to make the interior poposal for their homes
expand my furniture collection to accesories and more.
frank ghery, meier, neutra, le corbusier, annie albers,paulin, les lalanne,gio ponti ,zaha hadid, kelly wearstler, so many to mention!!
neimeyer, alta lounge chair. wendell castle chairs, piere paulin chairs
i wont say there is one, but i do have some pieces that i cherish more.
be curious, read, ask, search the web, go to museums,
An architect
Design is a way of life.
my husband has always been a great support.
having passion, being curious and working every day for my dreams
i wouldnt call myself a design master!, but obstacles are going to be there always. I think your dreams have to be higher and stronger than those obstacles in order to overcome them
a new furniture collection
to be integral! have my interior design studio, my furniture and accesories collection.
to Being environmentally conscious
it depends on the project!
searching for inspiration!, meeting with the client, listening to their needs, aims, tastes, budgets
always have passion for what you do.
design set the trends.
its super important. Thanks to that technology you get to recreate your design in 3d views, material options and show it to the world
i use Autocad, sketchup
wow! hard one!.. gropius, peggy guggenheim, le corbusier, ghery, zaha hadid ,so many to mention!
blue, home, italian, summer, travel
to create a good design, a great mood board for a client or to see realized my pieces.
it was completely obvious for me
Designer Interview
27 April 2020
Since little i was surrounded by my grandfather's architectural body of work. so for me was natural to appreciate architecture, art and design. I knew i wanted to be in the same path as him
iv been in the interior design field for almost 17 years now, but it was last year that i decided to push the boundaries and launch my own furniture collection inspired in my grandgarther's work.
design is a way of life for me. Its something that goes with me everywhere. It doesnt matter where i am, im always appreciating things from a design perspective.
I love designing sculptural furniture. I want my pieces to make a statement in the place where they are going to be placed. Going beyond functionality is really important for me.
For this collection ,the MOON pattern was one important for me. Exploring all the possibilities in form, texture and form was a great experience.
i was working for an architectural firm in Venezuela. The project was for a TV news company client and they asked to design the desk where the anchor gives the news everyday! it was a very challenging start!!
my favorite material i have to say wood, technology for constructing my pieces is autocad and sketchup. Platform instagram, it gets you connected with everyone, best platform for showing your work
I really dont have a particular moment of the day, but i do need to be with my music and alone with my sketchbook and computer when im creating
FIRST functionality, then the artistic component is the one im going to focus.I want my pieces to be artistic or sculptural in every possible way
i feel energetic when im designing and feel that im on the right path
complete happiness. That feeling when you see your design realized is one of the most wonderfull experiences
personally i need to be completely secure that the design works for ME. If i have that final feeling it is SUCCESFUL. Then i really hope for the rest of the people who surround me to like it!
first i need to now if it works, is it functional?, design whise i want something different, pushing boundaries, creating different from ordinary. Right materials chosen.
i think is really important that your design is sustainable with the enviroment. We need to create without damaging or compromising the enviroment
Being environmentally conscious is the future of design.
I havent had a solo show but my pieces sell in some platforms. I was exhibiting at the AD DESIGN SHOW but got cancelled until october.
everyday i found inspiration!, maybe im reading a book, travelling, reviewing my grandfathers work, going to museums, watching documentaries on artists, watching nature, everywhere!
for now the geometric repetition has played an important role in my furniture collection. I dont like to be fixed in a style, i like to evolve, create and discover new possibilities for my designs.
i Live in Caracas/Venezuela so of course you get inspired by the place you live in. In venezuela we love meeting with friends, having family over, we are very sociable. That said, all the social areas of the house are really important, thats propably why i design coffee tablest gather poepole around.
I work designing custome pieces for them
both sides need to be secure they are what they need. if they dont connect or understand each other it wont be a good journey. Thats why its important to have those early conversations on what the client needs and what the designer is capable of
if im desgining furniture for a client i need to know a few things about him. Family dinamics, tastes, budgets, go to the space where the piece is going to be displayed. just to name a few
coffee table, art pieces, accesories for table, books, good design chair.
during quarantine. Wake up, cook breakfast for all my 3 kids, start online homeschooling, then i proceed to start my work during their school hours. Lunch break, work time, playtime, dinner time,sleep time for them. my time
have discipline!, have a rutine and work hard
positives: i couldnt live any other way, for me designing is my happy way of living
always push the boundaries! dont settle, always try more
you have to love what you do!, have passion for design.
i use Autocad and sketchup
it is! i can work for hours when im designing, but when you dont seem to move on, take a break, read a book, take a walk and then come back. When you are inspired thing come easily.
it depends! sometimes the process is really fast and other times it can take weeks
where do you get inspiration?
private clients
i love making full interior proposals for houses
launch a new collection, this time not only furniture
i develop by myself
website www.anavolante.com , instagram @anavolante_studio , mail info@anavolante.com