Interview with Roberta Borges

Roberta Borges ("RB") interviewed on Thursday, 23 May.

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

RB : I started photography as a teenager because as a surfer, I wanted to register that atmosphere. As years passed I increased my abilities by attending special academic courses and working for national surf magazines and some companies.

How did you become a designer?

RB : A member of my family liked to take photos and I admired the effects he could get of his clicks. I saw emotions and plasticity . So I discovered that I could express myself by this way.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

RB : First comes special Light , then a different way to see a common scene and third, a meaning/concept.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

RB : Every project starts from experiences and when I discover something new, it gives me a feeling of happiness, excitement. The final result is my biggest emotion.

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

RB : My main non design skill that helped me in developing my abilities as a photographer is my natural observation capacity.

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

RB : My main idea now is to show my work in some galleries in Europe. I didn't decided what my future work will be but I have some thoughts of creating tridimensional project.

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

RB : Study, work as much as you can. Find something new; don't give up, respect your feelings.

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

RB : Try to discover what are your main abilities as a person, study and practice design, see if you like what you do, search for an example of a successful designer and find out its positive and negative points.

What is your day to day look like?

RB : I don't have a daily routine. My studio is at the beach and I wake up early. Sometimes I work inside my studio, sometimes I go out to photograph and in between I go out to give a walk with my dogs.

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

RB : I follow trend magazines, websites in architecture, art and design.

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

RB : My background in design gives me a sense of judgement of what is good and bad.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

RB : When I make two or three prints I decide if it it OK or not.

What is your biggest design work?

RB : The LASTLIGHT project is my biggest design work due to the difficult way of capturing the images, and the time it took for it. It depend on nature conditions like the , tide, light, swell and wind.

Who is your favourite designer?

RB : Christiane Feser ; I love her tridimensional work. Ernst Haas.

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

RB : My favorite city is Garopaba, where I live. For research, New York, Sao Paulo, London. I am now in my house/studio and just finished my last project. My photos should cooperate to awareness of how we are not taking care of the Ocean, therefore take measures to change that fact.

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

RB : I work alone. I have worked in the past with groups. My main challenge is give a meaning to what I do.

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

RB : My present work is based on helping our environment. I also work with the local culture in matters of fishing, which is the basis of local economy and local carnival.

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

RB : Participating in the A'Design Award gave me the opportunity to get involved internationally.Also to got me the assurance that my work is in the right direction. And the reward of receiving the prize.

Roberta Borges Profile