Interview with Fabricio Ronca

Fabricio Ronca ("FR") interviewed on Monday, 6 January.

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?

FR : I've been in the market for over 20 years, I worked a lot with architecture and interiors, but today I dictate 100% to product and furniture design.

How did you become a designer?

FR : I grew up in Belo Horizonte, a city surrounded by mountains, music, art, folklore and the works of Oscar Niemeyer. As a child I went with my mother a few time at the Faculty of Fine Arts she did, and played a lot with clay, painting, woodcut, immersed in the art world then it happened naturally and ludicly my insertion in this universe.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

FR : I seek beauty, functionality and durability. Good design is always the one who sells well, our business is art, science and market, so we need to be aware of these 3 pillars to develop good pieces.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

FR : I seek the connection with God and nature, sometimes I feel light and confident with some pieces I develop, at other times I feel distressed by the process, I believe it is the biggest challenge, looking for new ways to do the same thing.But it is very gratifying to be able to see the pieces ready and the reaction of people when using them

What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?

FR : One more important thing is to be resilient, you will receive many "no" in your process, take this as a fuel to improve, also take advantage of your small victories to be steps on your climb. Be very curious about everything, but retain only what is good. I believe we are products of what we concrete, if you consume good things, of course they leave you in the form of creativity. So look at good movies, read good books, listen to good songs, make different and enriching trips, eat and drink well to be happier.

What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?

FR : I would like to draw more for foreign companies in Europe, USA and Asia, to have more geographic freedom.Also develop a design incubator for new talents and people under vulnerable conditions.

What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?

FR : Try to develop a positive and strong mind to be resilient and face obstacles as if they were steps for you to go up. Seek inspiration from various types of environments, music, architecture, fashion, motorsport, etc. Look for good sources of inspiration, read, practice sports, meditate, pray and have a healthy life. The important thing is to have fun by creating, the design should never be heavy or disproportionate, all propositions and beauty are in nature, connect with the creator to gain access to these keys.

You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?

FR : Your career depends on your life and how you see the world. Think of your career as a construction, a home. First start with the structure, a strong structure will not let your home crumble, so learn from the masters. 02, Strong your walls, seals, infrastructure and coverage with masonry and resistant roof, shield your mind. 03, decoration and details are important, refine your aesthetics and sources of inspiration. Develop your senses to be more sensitive and creative.

What is your day to day look like?

FR : I'm a simple guy, I like to read, meditate, pray, play with my daughter, play sports, eat good food and rest. I travel a lot in lectures, fairs and events, so when I'm at home I like to be with my family and friends.

How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?

FR : Today the world is globalized, everything is very close and fast. What we designed today, tomorrow is already being copied or someone had the same inspiration, this is the collective struggle.I like to classify my design as "warm minimalism" I seek the essence of things but in a way that brings warmth and humanization in my projects. People need real, human experiences, explore the true senses, I believe that in a digital world full of effeminate and pasteurized information, people will look for the custom, the warmth, the personalized, this is a trend for me.

How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?

FR : Good design needs to have beauty, function and durability, and is also the one who sells well, who solves the problem of many people in a simple way.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

FR : Sometimes the piece is born ready and mature, in other cases it needs an incubation, care, cutting process, usually these are the most successful, as the process is the most important in developing a good design.

What is your biggest design work?

FR : The pieces that were exhibited at Milao Design Week in partnership with the Brazilian team, and the Botero armchair that I just launched with Wewood, a European company.

Who is your favourite designer?

FR : I always liked Jacobsen's Scandinavian aesthetics, and also Carrera, I grew up in a multicultural country that has several sources of very rich inspiration and folklore. I admire the Brazilian modernists such as Zalszupin, Sergio Rodrigues, Tenreiro and Neiemeyer. Also Mies, and nowadays I like Nendo, Patricia Urquiola, Paola Lenti.

Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?

FR : I have the nature, architecture and affective memory as my main sources of inspiration, music has always been part of my life, since I was little, I am a musician and amateur singer as well. I believe all areas of the arts are connected, the more you learn new things in other environments, the more creative you will be.

Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?

FR : Before the pandemic I had a team of architects, interior, a large office, but today I work at home, with less volume, but more quality. To be a good architect and designer needs to be pro active, do beyond the prerequisite, go beyond and seek solutions to self -deviate

What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?

FR : I believe design is a transformer of society, whether through solutions or sales. The chain that designs furniture covers is very extensive, when a good design goes well, it fosters from employees, factories, representatives, retailers, and the entire production chain and inputs. In addition to what a good design is lasting, it is timeless and becomes sustainable to go from generation to generation.

What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?

FR : Being more recognized in the world, having more prestige in the midst of design, and also develops self -esteem to raise higher flights.

Fabricio Ronca Profile