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Interview with Ana Volante |
Home > Designer Interviews > Ana Volante |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer Ana Volante (AV) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of Ana Volante 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?
AV: 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
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
AV: 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.
FS: What is "design" for you?
AV: 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.
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
AV: 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.
FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
AV: For this collection ,the MOON pattern was one important for me. Exploring all the possibilities in form, texture and form was a great experience.
FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
AV: 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!!
FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
AV: 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
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
AV: 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
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
AV: 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
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
AV: i feel energetic when im designing and feel that im on the right path
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
AV: complete happiness. That feeling when you see your design realized is one of the most wonderfull experiences
FS: What makes a design successful?
AV: 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!
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
AV: 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.
FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
AV: i think is really important that your design is sustainable with the enviroment. We need to create without damaging or compromising the enviroment
FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
AV: Being environmentally conscious is the future of design.
FS: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
AV: 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.
FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
AV: everyday i found inspiration!, maybe im reading a book, travelling, reviewing my grandfathers work, going to museums, watching documentaries on artists, watching nature, everywhere!
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?
AV: 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.
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?
AV: 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.
FS: How do you work with companies?
AV: I work designing custome pieces for them
FS: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
AV: 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
FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
AV: 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
FS: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
AV: coffee table, art pieces, accesories for table, books, good design chair.
FS: Can you describe a day in your life?
AV: 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
FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
AV: have discipline!, have a rutine and work hard
FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
AV: positives: i couldnt live any other way, for me designing is my happy way of living
FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
AV: always push the boundaries! dont settle, always try more
FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
AV: you have to love what you do!, have passion for design.
FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
AV: i use Autocad and sketchup
FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
AV: 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.
FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
AV: it depends! sometimes the process is really fast and other times it can take weeks
FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
AV: where do you get inspiration?
FS: Who are some of your clients?
AV: private clients
FS: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
AV: i love making full interior proposals for houses
FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
AV: launch a new collection, this time not only furniture
FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
AV: i develop by myself
FS: How can people contact you?
AV: website www.anavolante.com , instagram @anavolante_studio , mail info@anavolante.com
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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