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Interview with Fernanda Bueno |
Home > Designer Interviews > Fernanda Bueno |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer Fernanda Bueno (FB) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of Fernanda Bueno by clicking here.
FS: 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?
FB: Ever since I was a little girl, I was always passionate about all kinds of art and I somehow always knew that I would follow that path. For a long time, I didn't know what I would do, so I tried completely different things such as Law school and then discovered art again in interior design. During the Interior Design course, I had contact with other areas of design and fell in love with fashion.
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
FB: It was Kilt Cult, my first collection, and its success what made me decide to start my own brand, FEMMAN. It shares the collection's values and the values that I want to communication in all my future work: freedom of thought and expression, diversity and fun.
FS: What is "design" for you?
FB: I believe the meaning of design is too complex for me to try to explain it in a short answer. But to put it simply, it is a way to communicate certain values and ideas through products. Much more than the visual aspects of a product, design is what those visual elements say to the product's consumers.
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
FB: My area is fashion design, but I don't think I have a favorite type of work within that field.
FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
FB: I honestly like everything I design (otherwise I wouldn't go through the trouble), but I can point out two special designs: the first the the collection which was awarded in this competition and the other one is the first thing I created as a fashion designer.
FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
FB: All of my works were designed for my own brand.
FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
FB: I rather working with leather, even if only as a detail. But anything which strikes my fancy at the time, really!
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
FB: Usually in the middle of the night, when everybody else is sleeping, or after meditating. Since the atmosphere is peaceful at these times, that's when I manage to transform everything I saw along the day or my life into ideas.
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
FB: I always try to put something fun or different into my designs. As a personal touch, I always try to add a texture to my works.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
FB: I like to say that I only design what I love, because I have to be completely satisfied with what I do. A funny thing is that I always dream about my works - if that doesn't happen, it means something's wrong with it.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
FB: Fascination!
FS: What makes a design successful?
FB: That depends on the designer. Are they happy with what they created? Did they manage to communicate the message they intended to through the design?
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
FB: The first thing I consider is the concept of the design. If it's compatible with the product, that's usually a great start!
FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
FB: A designer is usually someone with a deeper view of things, so I believe every designer should be able to introduce alternative solutions to society's problems. It's all about breaking the rules and disregarding what's already out there!
FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
FB: Maybe the answer is "design is the future". Design is everywhere and this is becoming increasingly evident not just to designers, but to everyone. I believe people will start caring more and more about design over time.
FS: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
FB: My last exhibition was last year, at Oscar Niemeyer Museum in Curitiba, Brazil. The next one will be a fashion show in Milan, Italy, in June.
FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
FB: Perhaps my greatest inspiration is the diversity of people, but I believe anything can be inspiring. As long as I have a peaceful moment, I feel I'm able to create. This usually means having a good night's sleep or being in touch with nature, for example.
FS: 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?
FB: I'd describe it as contemporary. I explore this style because I like to discuss current themes through my works, even social themes, more often than not.
FS: 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?
FB: I live in Brazil and its cultural heritage absolutely affects my designs. At the very least because it's the first place which will see my works.
FS: How do you work with companies?
FB: My work as a fashion designers was only done for my own brand, but I have worked for companies in the fashion business in the past, in different capacities. It works very well - there's always a lot to learn.
FS: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
FB: Before thinking about the designer, I believe it's important to think about the person behind the profession. It's important to understand their values and what they are willing to do for the company and for society.
FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
FB: I'm not sure if I can say I have a specific process. I believe inspiration is important and what I usually do is look for ways to trigger that inspiration. Often I have a good idea of the concept that I intend to develop and I will do research on the internet for videos, images and texts which will get me there.
FS: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
FB: 1. AirFryer. 2. My backpack (my own design). 3. Samsonite suitcase. 4. Foot-massaging cushion. 5. Imaginarium pink radio.
FS: Can you describe a day in your life?
FB: A day in the Fall. Cold, but not too cold. Windy. Leaves flying by. Cloudy, but with just a little sun. In April, because that's when Fall happens in my country and also that the month of my birthday.
FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
FB: Be curious.
FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
FB: Honestly, I see no negatives at all. I love what I do and that is enough. Unfortunately, in my country, often it's still not regarded as a serious profession.
FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
FB: That's a tough one! I guess I would say trust in your capability.
FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
FB: Perhaps the most important skill of all is creativity, you can't be a designer if you don't have it. As for everything else, it can be developed.
FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
FB: Often books and magazines, the internet (great for research), textile labs and fabric stores. As for software, I often use CorelDraw.
FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
FB: Since I work for myself, any time is fine by me. If I wake up in the middle of the night in the idea, that's when it's going to happen.
FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
FB: It usually takes time. From the very beginning to the very end, probably a couple of months at least. I like to be thorough.
FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
FB: "Is that a hobby?"
FS: What was your most important job experience?
FB: When I had to present a collection of a famous Brazilian designer during his exhibition.
FS: Who are some of your clients?
FB: Anyone, really! Since I'm a fashion designer and the whole concept of my work is that anyone can wear it regardless of personal characteristics, I feel it's accessible to everyone.
FS: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
FB: Those which have some sort of social relevance, because then I feel that I'm doing something to help society.
FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
FB: The next big thing on my schedule is a fashion show in Milan as a finalist for Mittelmoda Fashion Award. That going to happen in June. Aside from that, I intend to work to get me brand well established and well known.
FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
FB: Everything I created to date I designed myself, but I'm interested in working with teams for specific projects in the future.
FS: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
FB: I'm currently doing research for my next collection, but I prefer to keep it a secret for now! I'll post more info on facebook as soon as possible.
FS: How can people contact you?
FB: Either through my facebook or e-mail: fernandabuenodesign@gmail.com
FS: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
FB: I guess I can say that it wasn't an easy decision for me to become a designer, because there's still some prejudice surround this profession in my country and even in my family. I'm incredibly happy to have followed my heart and to be doing what I love. Today my family recognizes that I'm doing what I was born to do.
FS: Thank you for providing us with this opportunity to interview you.
A’ Design Award and Competitions grants rights to press members and bloggers to use parts of this interview. This interview is provided as it is; DesignPRWire and A' Design Award and Competitions cannot be held responsible for the answers given by participating designers.
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