Interview with Paula Gomez Serrano
Designer Interview
22 April 2016
I was born in Colombia and both my parents used to be mountain climbers, so since I was little I've been in contact with nature, native communities and intercultural exchange. This cultural emphasis later took shape when I was in college majoring in Industrial Design, when I conducted a research after a year of fieldwork with indigenous communities throughout the Colombian territory. This resulted in the publication of the book "Principles of Indigenous Design" and I have been applying those design fundamentals to my pieces ever since.
You can get more information about this here: http://www.kuatrostudio.com/#!ethnic/q0z5p
And here: http://www.kuatrostudio.com/#!new/crd8
You can get more information about this here: http://www.kuatrostudio.com/#!ethnic/q0z5p
And here: http://www.kuatrostudio.com/#!new/crd8
KUATRO is an industrial design studio based in South Florida, specialized in design services and solutions for both residential and commercial use. Our goal is to interpret the client needs giving sense and functionality to the project.
We mostly do custom furniture and interior design.
We mostly do custom furniture and interior design.
...is the difference between boring and SUPER FUN.
Once I heard a perfect meaning... "Design is the silent ambassador of your brand".
Once I heard a perfect meaning... "Design is the silent ambassador of your brand".
Furniture. I really enjoy designing stools.
"Blocko", a seat I designed several years ago made out of several solid wooden pieces that looks very geometric, but when you seat on it, the articulated pieces take the shape of your body and it is very comfortable.
Packaging design for high end hotel toiletries.
Wood, cardboard and natural fibers.
Really early looking how the sun rises.
Receptive / energetic / skeptical / bold
Satisfied / peaceful / free
When it generates a positive impact that contributes to society, to the environment and the lives of people.
If you are not proud of the design, the is something fundamentally wrong with it.
It is really important to focus now on maintaining the design high standards while incorporating increasingly more environmentally sustainable materials, features, and manufacturing processes into new product designs.
Design is endless... there will always be design. It just changes with different trends, materials and state of mind.
Bogotá, Colombia
The inspiration of my designs is rooted in simple and functional forms and the appreciation of materials and construction methods bringing a contemporary aesthetic with a bold ethnic content.
It's a mix of contemporary and ethnic design. I try to apply the "Principles of Indigenous Design" to my projects.
I live in the sunny South Florida, between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, and of course I feel my Colombian heritage not only when I am designing but in any aspect of my life.
Every project is different...
Be receptive!
It is really up to every project but of course there is a design process that you can find on my book.
All are original pieces... a wooden stool, two black birds, a woven basket, a zoomorphic sculpture and of course my washing machine.
Wake up early, family ritual, design, design, design, family ritual, go to bed early.
(Plus food and exercise)
(Plus food and exercise)
Have fun designing... be happy.
Great personal remuneration / not so great monetary remuneration
Be authentic.
Creativity
Sketching, doing 3D models as well as software.
It depends on every project.
How much it cost and how soon can you do it.
Sometimes myself and sometimes with my husband which is also a designer.
www.kuatrostudio.com or paula.gomez@gmail.com
Thank you.