Interview with Ignacio Mariani

Ever since I was very young, I've had an innate passion for drawing; I've always loved to draw, which led me to want to dedicate my life to it. There came a time when I had to decide what I wanted to design; I chose to study architecture but only attended for a year, until I discovered the Industrial Design program. It was sort of love at first sight; at that moment, I decided I wanted to be a designer—to design objects, vehicles, yachts, everything. I think it’s a passion I’ve had since I was a child.

I always strive to create objects and designs that address a specific problem and serve a purpose. My three priorities are always innovation, functionality, and clean lines. I aim to develop concepts that best meet the client’s needs. I start with a blank sheet of paper and a pencil, then I like to transfer the design to a digital format and begin with a 3D model, rendering it to visualize surfaces, and then creating a mockup and prototype.
If everything goes smoothly, detailed plans or models are created for manufacturing.

A state of ecstasy, as if I were disconnecting from the world. Honestly, the part of the design process I like best is when I’m face to face with a blank sheet of paper and my pencil in hand. I have a whole new world ahead of me, and that gives me a huge adrenaline rush. What I like most about designing is the creativity and problem-solving skills you can develop for a product or object. It’s a feeling of immediate pleasure—it’s truly something I enjoy very much in my day-to-day life.

Creativity, the ability to observe and think critically, to find solutions where none exist, and to always strive for innovation and problem-solving. These skills have helped me create unique products and objects with an innovative edge. They have enabled me to develop projects that truly understand the underlying issues, allowing me to solve them efficiently and avoid creating products that fail to fulfill their intended purpose. The search for solutions has always been a driving force in my work.

In the future, I would really like to bring my brand up to the highest standards in the industry. Being recognized as a good designer would be a major achievement in my career. I would like to continue designing yachts; working on a multidisciplinary team would be great for sharing ideas and knowledge.
There are always projects in the works, but I can assure you they’re waiting for the right moment to hit the market.
As I mentioned earlier, I’d like to keep gaining experience and clients in the world of nautical design, but I’m open to any kind of project that requires creativity.

My advice to designers just starting out is not to give up, to always strive to be decisive, and to remember that with hard work and dedication, you can achieve anything you set your mind to. You must never lose sight of the question: ¿Who are we designing for?

This is a very personal question, but based on my experience, the only thing I’d like to say is that you shouldn’t pay attention to negative comments or people who try to sabotage projects or great ideas just because they couldn’t have come up with them themselves. Be passionate about what you do, and that will open many doors for you—both in your career and in your daily relationships. Passion moves mountains!

My day can vary greatly depending on how much work I have, but I always make sure to set aside time to grab a pencil and paper and sketch—yachts, furniture, or objects. I like to look around and think about what I can improve or change to make people’s lives easier. I enjoy following design news and new yacht launches. What excites me most are the new challenges and projects that allow me to develop new ideas and keep my mind engaged in them.

Although I follow the news, I always like to develop my own product line based on an existing foundation, but adding my own critical perspective and personal style. My inspiration comes from nature, architecture, and cars; I like to take lines and experiment with different materials and shapes.

Good design should be functional and align with a specific concept and need, solving a problem or improving people’s quality of life that, to me, is good design, and if you manage to achieve any of these, I think you’re on the right track.

In my opinion, a design is ready when it meets your expectations, fulfills its primary function, and addresses all the points and objectives you’ve set as requirements.

All of my projects are important to me and make me very proud, but the Pescare 55 was the project that left the biggest impression on me and from which I learned the most. It took a year to develop, and I think the results speak for themselves. My initial goals were always clear: to create a unique project for a market already dominated by major brands.
I believe my latest work is always the most important, because it demonstrates growth and maturity in me that allows me to see things differently; each piece corresponds to a different stage of my life, which is why the latest one is always my favorite. The main challenge was to create something different, to seek a new concept that would allow us to achieve everything we set out to do while maintaining luxury and functionality.
We are currently working on a project for a major boat company with two teammates.

I've always been inspired by Philippe Starck because of his wide-ranging work in design, from everyday objects to superyachts. I'd like to talk to Pininfarina and learn more about his philosophy on what good design should be.
I believe Dieter Rams was one of the pioneers of modern design.

Italy inspires me a lot; I’m of Italian descent, and it’s something I carry in my blood with great pride. Florence, Rome, and Milan are cities that inspire me all the time—even though I look at lots of pictures and am on Google Maps all the time, just thinking about them transports me and gives me a lot of inspiration. Here in Argentina, I really love Patagonia; nature is another source of inspiration for me. I can’t work without music; I think it’s a bridge between my hand and my creativity. I can’t do it without it!
Of course, everything influences us; our daily lives are the result of our daily culture. The important thing is to let yourself be influenced by the good aspects of cultures, not the bad.
Good design should improve people’s quality of life, in any society! I’ve always enjoyed creating products for people with joint problems, or diabetics who need constant care.

I’ve been able to build strong relationships with everyone I’ve worked with, as long as there is mutual respect and a willingness to listen to others. Anyone who shares these values is welcome on my team, and if you’d like to include me in an existing team, these are my requirements.
I always look for transparency and honesty; good design is also honest, and I believe that if a person’s foundations aren’t sound, it shows in their work and daily life.
Creativity must take precedence above all else; that is a fundamental requirement for any designer or architect.

As a designer, I like to contribute to local projects, but without receiving any benefit in return; I simply do it because, as I mentioned earlier, our task is to make people’s lives easier, and from my perspective, doing good for others is the best use we can make of our skills. I have created some projects for low-income rural villages, blind people, or those living on the streets, all without receiving anything in return. It’s truly heartening to know that colleagues are getting involved in these projects, as they help improve the quality of life in the community where we live. I enjoy giving talks on design, highlighting its potential and how a simple object can change the lives of many people.
I’m constantly giving talks and teaching courses, and I’m always happy to discuss the topic.

The most important thing is the recognition, making a name for oneself, and the personal pride that comes from having been able to participate and win such an award. Competitions are important because they are a turning point in every designer’s career; they help you make a name for yourself and showcase a different perspective on things, allowing us to express life experiences through object design. I am truly very proud to be part of this event, and being named Designer of the Day feels almost unreal to me. It is the result of all the effort and hard work put in!

After working for several years at a naval engineering firm, I decided to strike out on my own. I founded Estudio Mariani in 2025 with the goal of offering a unique alternative in the world of design. From boats to furniture, we get involved in everything related to the creative process. Although, as I mentioned earlier, my passion for boats means I devote most of my time to that, we have also created industrial machinery and continuous-process systems. We view innovation as a fundamental priority in every project, creating objects that stand out from the rest; that is why we always strive to be in constant motion. That movement is what gives the flow of life its meaning.

When people ask me about my career as a designer, I always say that for me it’s a way of life it’s what keeps me constantly on the move, what makes me get out of bed eager to create and seek out new opportunities. In short, design is life itself to me.

I love designing yachts—it's my passion—but I also really enjoy furniture design

I have many—I’m in love with all my designs—but the PESCARE 55 is my favorite, obviously because of all the effort that went into it and the worldwide recognition it’s received.

My first major design project was the redesign of a Chris Craft motorboat named Huayra. The client was a car collector who asked us to make the boat resemble the design of the Pagani Huayra—truly a beautiful project.

I really like 5-axis CNC milling.

At night, when the day's hustle and bustle is over and I can sit quietly at home in front of the paper.

In the process of researching background information and generating ideas through pen and paper.

A state of ecstasy, as if I were disconnecting from the world.

It's hard to describe, but you feel like you've done things right...

I believe that, ultimately, we design for a specific user it’s them who have to like it, and if the client is happy with it, I’m satisfied. But keep in mind, we can’t be liked by everyone!

The creative process behind it and whether it actually delivers on its promise—whether its primary function truly meets the client’s needs.

It should be a lasting bond, much like a relationship; it must not be broken and must be kept in mind at all times.

I believe the field of design is on the right track, as long as we don’t forget who we’re designing for. AI has made certain tools and tasks much easier, but that doesn’t mean it’s always a good idea to use it; it should only be used to answer questions, not to generate them. I believe design is undergoing a transformation; new technologies allow us to create designs or objects that were previously unimaginable, which means creativity has no limits and is constantly evolving.

In 2025, I was able to organize a symposium on boat design at the university where I studied—it really is a very welcoming place with honest people.

My sources of inspiration are always nature and its changes; drawing inspiration from the sea, the forest, or the wind itself sets my mind racing and keeps my imagination going nonstop. I also like to draw ideas from architecture and cars.

I like clean lines and design that stems from a clear vision—a “why”—rather than designing just for the sake of it. Instead, I believe in having a solid foundation that supports the design concept. When I realized that every line must have a purpose—that it’s not just about drawing for the sake of drawing or designing for the sake of designing—I understood that everything must have a foundation and serve a function, no matter how purely aesthetic it may be. My approach is rooted in my own way of seeing the world.

I like to be proactive and find solutions to real-world problems. When someone contacts me, I like to dig into the root of the issue from the very beginning to determine how I can be most helpful and efficient—whether it involves developing a new product or solving a problem related to a production matrix, for example.

I believe the key is to focus on problem-solving—specifically, how that person handles problem “X” and whether they can actually provide practical solutions that are within the company's capabilities. The designer must be given all the support and information necessary to perform their role efficiently and proactively. Otherwise, you'll end up with nothing more than an employee sitting at a desk.

My design process is based on exploring new concepts, beginning with a research phase where I analyze the current market landscape for the product to be developed, study the user, and then iterate while taking into account principles of ergonomics, anthropometry, manufacturing, production, and materials—from the product’s inception until it is phased out. After the iterations, I begin the 3D modeling process, create renderings, and conclude with the design of the tooling, if necessary, in collaboration with the engineers.
It’s a process I truly enjoy very much.

I start my day at 6:30 in the morning. I have breakfast and then head to work. I enjoy facing challenges and problems that I can solve, which allows me to use critical and creative thinking. In the afternoon, I go to the gym to burn off some energy, and some days I play soccer with my friends. In the evening, I like to sit down and draw, read, or watch an interesting documentary about history. I consider myself a very proactive person.

Don't give up, and believe that anything is possible. With hard work and a lot of effort, you can get where you want to go, just don't give up!

I think the hardest part of design is actually landing a stable, well-paying job. Even though a good product can often save a company, it doesn’t always translate into financial rewards of the same magnitude. That depends a lot on the country; here in Argentina, it’s very difficult to find work as a designer and have your responsibilities actually align with those of a designer.
The positive aspect is that you can use your imagination and the concepts you’ve learned to create tangible products or solutions at any time.

Form follows function.

Creative, critical, and analytical thinking.

Pencil and paper, sometimes a sketchbook for digital drawings or Photoshop, modeling software like Rhinoceros and SolidWorks, and KeyShot and Twinmotion for rendering.
I use books and magazines on nautical design when I need to design a boat, and I also look at architecture websites.

I always try to make design a big part of my day. Even though I have other responsibilities, I wouldn't trade my design time for anything or anyone in the world!

Depending on how much time you put into it, it could take anywhere from a week to a month or even a year! It always depends on the scope of the project and the resources you have available.

How did you go from that to this? haha...

I believe that all work experiences are important; in each one, I learned something different that helped me get where I am today. From my early days as a draftsman at a metalworking plant to my studies in naval engineering, I’ve been in many different places, and I always take something positive away from each one.

Businesses in the area where I live.

I really enjoy yacht design, especially exterior design, because it allows me to constantly come up with new concepts.

I think I’m at a turning point in my career (at least I hope so), so whatever happens from here on out will mark the beginning of something new for me. My plan is to continue my studies and build a team that will allow me to develop new projects and take on new challenges.

I currently work on a project-by-project basis; for yacht design, I prefer to work with an interdisciplinary team of architects, engineers, and craftsmen.

You can reach me through my website, where I have a contact email address, or via LinkedIn or Instagram!
https://estudiomariani.myportfolio.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ignacio-mariani-b1289325/