Jorge Prieto

Specialized in Furniture Design.

Jorge Prieto

About Jorge Prieto

After years of experience working for different prestigious brands in the high-end furniture and lighting industries, the industrial designer Jorge Prieto founded Prieto Studio, an award-winning design studio based in London. Since then, its team has worked on a wide range of projects for renowned companies and professionals, both nationally and internationally, always aiming to excel in its field while breaking moulds with conventional design.

  • Winner of the A' Design Award.
  • Specialized in Furniture Design.
  • Original Design.
  • Creative, Diligent and Innovative.
  • All Designs
  • Furniture
Lotus Armchair

Lotus Armchair

Furniture Design

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Interview with Jorge Prieto

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 would say I always had a flair for creativity, from art to music, architecture and other manifestations. I was always intrigued by them and the mental process that would shape each product into what they really are. This pushed me to create an entire line of products on my own.
Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
After years of experience working for different prestigious brands in the high-end furniture and lighting industries, the industrial designer Jorge Prieto founded Prieto Studio, an award-winning design studio based in London. Since then, its team has worked on a wide range of projects for renowned companies and professionals, both nationally and internationally, always aiming to excel in its field while breaking moulds with conventional design.
What is "design" for you?
When we think about design we think of new ways to improve our way of life; breathtaking products that stand out among the rest, perfectly balanced between shape and function.
What kinds of works do you like designing most?
The most challenging ones which force me to think outside of the box and bring something unique to the table.
What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
Raymond Loewys train designs for their boldness and aerodynamism.
What was the first thing you designed for a company?
A pendant light for a luxury furniture company based in Valencia, Spain
What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
Brass is really versatile and can be adapted to fit most designs and gives it a stunning look at the same time.
Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
Functionality which always shapes the form afterwards. You can't have one without the other.
What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
Excitement, passion and thrill would be the main ones when engaging in a new project, all the way to the very end. Each stage is equally interesting, from the very first sketches until complete manufacture, as each phase entails a different type of skills that always keep you motivated.
What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
Satisfaction upon a job well done and eagerness to embark on a new one.
What makes a design successful?
A design that satisfies to perfection a human need in an elegant and functional way.
When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
I believe function and looks must be balanced perfectly. Any part of the design that has no purpose should be discarded immediately.
From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
When designing, always try to improve our way of life while being as environmentally friendly as possible.
How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
With AI knocking on the door, the design industry will be highly influenced by it and we will face new and astonishing ways to improve our designs.
When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
Valencia Design Week exhibition, Spain. (2009) Although we would like to exhibit in Milan in a few years from now.
Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
Inspiration can sprout from anything, from movies to music, art galleries or even video games.
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?
Minimalistic and modern although I like to experiment with different styles and bring something new.
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?
Spain has been home to some of the most successful designers and artists. With their Mediterranean culture, freshness and simplicity have been at the core of every creative approach, and it has been the relaxed way of life of their society which has inspired some of the greatest trends in design.
How do you work with companies?
Always with an open mind to whichever ideas they want to introduce and find a way on how can I help them best.
What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
Always choose someone that values quality over quantity. We have already plenty of badly designed pieces, but good ones take time to produce.
Can you talk a little about your design process?
We always aim to work with vanguard techniques and materials, working side by side with some of the most skilful professionals in the industry just to create exclusive and unique experiences for each one of our customers, bringing a touch of innovative uniqueness into their houses.
What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
Armchairs, sofas, chaise lounges, dining tables, and dining chairs.
Can you describe a day in your life?
Usually, I wake up early and start getting immersed in any design project I either have pending or starting from scratch. As the day develops, I usually move to more routine tasks until I finish at approximately six in the evening, when I close everything and spend time with my family.
Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
Do not despair. It is very easy to get frustrated or lose motivation in the design career if you do not have a clear goal in mind that will keep you motivated. Focus on that goal, even if it's a blurry one, as you will adapt along the way to reach it.
From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
Both the best and the worst are probably the chance to work in different fields. It might be frightening at first but it can be really enjoyable afterwards.
Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
I use a wide variety of software such as Solidworks, 3D Studio, Autocad, Photoshop and Illustrator as they are some of the most versatile to work with.
Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
Diving big projects equally throughout the week so I do not feel overwhelmed by them at any time.
How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
Probably a couple of weeks from the first concept sketches until the final technical drawings.
What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
How much do you usually price your clients? Although there is no standard answer to that. Depends on the market sector you are aiming for, the type of work and the amount of time involved. It is better to do some market research and check how much others are charging in similar conditions to yours.
What was your most important job experience?
I have been personally involved in the design of pieces for some restaurants and hotels in France that were challenging as well as engaging. But I was very happy with the results once completed.
Who are some of your clients?
Justin Van Breda, Martin Bruzinski, Bella Figura, Soane Britain, and Ateliers London to name just a few.
What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
Probably the concept stage as it is when you have the opportunity to truly be creative.
What are your future plans? What is next for you?
I am planning to launch my own line of high-end designs and deliver them all over the world from our design studio.
Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
I design them myself although I do work from time to time with external designers in collaborative projects.
Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
Every year we design a full new collection for our own studio so a work-in-progress project is always present!

Designer of the Day Interview with Jorge Prieto

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
For the last decade, I have been working for some renowned brands in the interior and high-end furniture industries such as Justin Van Breda, Martin Bruzinski, Bella Figura, Soane Britain, and Ateliers London to name just a few, collaborating on a wide range of projects while introducing new designs into the market.
How did you become a designer?
I always found interesting the idea to combine art and technical processes into unique and bewildering products.
What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
Simplicity and functionality would be the key features of my designs while balancing them at the same time with a stunning and beautiful look.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
Excitement, passion and thrill would be the main ones when engaging in a new project, all the way to the very end. Each stage is equally interesting, from the very first sketches until complete manufacture, as each phase entails a different type of skills that always keep you motivated.
What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?
I would say I always had a flair for creativity, from art to music, architecture and other manifestations. I was always intrigued by them and the mental process that would shape each product into what they really are. This pushed me to create an entire line of products on my own.
What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?
I am planning to launch my own line of high-end designs and deliver them all over the world from our design studio.
What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
Do not despair. It is very easy to get frustrated or lose motivation in the design career if you do not have a clear goal in mind that will keep you motivated. Focus on that goal, even if it's a blurry one, as you will adapt along the way to reach it.
You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?
Always keep improving and learning. Never stay idle and always stay focused as design is a career that requires entire passion and dedication to achieve success.
What is your day to day look like?
Usually, I wake up early and start getting immersed in any design project I either have pending or starting from scratch. As the day develops, I usually move to more routine tasks until I finish at approximately six in the evening, when I close everything and spend time with my family.
How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?
I always try to stay up to date with the latest tendencies and news in the design world. From the beginning of the day, I read which have been the most successful designs and how they can be improved, offering something new and exciting.
How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?
I believe function and looks must be balanced perfectly. Any part of the design that has no purpose should be discarded immediately.
How do you decide if your design is ready?
Once nothing is left to chance and every part is perfectly well thought out. Then the design is finally ready to go.
What is your biggest design work?
I have been personally involved in the design of pieces for some restaurants and hotels in France that were challenging as well as engaging. But I was very happy with the results once completed.
Who is your favourite designer?
Karim Rashid without a doubt. One of the few that keeps that same freshness in all of his designs.
Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?
Spain has been home to some of the most successful designers and artists. With their Mediterranean culture, freshness and simplicity have been at the core of every creative approach, and it has been the relaxed way of life of their society which has inspired some of the greatest trends in design.
Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?
When we think about design we think of new ways to improve our way of life; breathtaking products that stand out among the rest, perfectly balanced between shape and function. To achieve this we always aim to work with vanguard techniques and materials, working side by side with some of the most skilful professionals in the industry just to create exclusive and unique experiences for each one of our customers, bringing a touch of innovative uniqueness into their houses.
What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?
As a designer, one of our main objectives is to improve people's lives with each product. I believe that is one of the biggest contributions a designer can make today, putting a piece of their own mind into their products to make a better world.
What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?
Discovering new designs and meeting outstanding designers all over the world. Those are two key elements to improve both personally and as a designer.

Extended Interview with Jorge Prieto

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
For the last decade, I have been working for some renowned brands in the interior and high-end furniture industries, collaborating on a wide range of projects while introducing new designs into the market.
How did you become a designer?
I would say I always had a flair for creativity, from art to music, architecture and other manifestations. I was always intrigued by them and the mental process that would shape each product into what they really are. This pushed me to create an entire line of products on my own.
What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
I always found interesting the idea to combine art and technical processes into unique and bewildering products. Design always had the best of both worlds.
What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?
Do not despair. It is very easy to get frustrated or lose motivation in the design career if you do not have a clear goal in mind that will keep you motivated. Focus on that goal, even if it's a blurry one, as you will adapt along the way to reach it.
What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?
The ability to learn and adapt from every situation to always stay ahead of the competition.
What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
I believe function and looks must be balanced perfectly. Any part of the design that has no purpose should be discarded immediately.
You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?
Good design always improves people's lives, which makes it a safe investment for anyone.
What is your day to day look like?
I am entirely satisfied designing what I design for the clients I have and wouldn't change them for anything.
How do you decide if your design is ready?
Karim Rashid without a doubt. One of the few that keeps that same freshness in all of his designs.
Who is your favourite designer?
The lotus armchair remains one of my favourite ones as it blends elegance and classic Bauhaus design in one single product.
Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?
Probably become a psychologist as I was very interested in how the mind works. But I am glad to apply psychology to my own designs as well.
What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?
When we think about design we think of new ways to improve our way of life; breathtaking products that stand out among the rest, perfectly balanced between shape and function. To achieve this we always aim to work with vanguard techniques and materials, working side by side with some of the most skilful professionals in the industry just to create exclusive and unique experiences for each one of our customers, bringing a touch of innovative uniqueness into their houses.

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