Interview with Luigi Ippoliti and Rosita di Mizio

Luigi Ippoliti and Rosita di Mizio ("LIARDM") interviewed on Friday, 4 July.

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

LIARDM : We have been working in the fields of design, visual communication, and architecture for years. Both of us have an academic background in architecture and have developed projects ranging from architectural design to product design. We have collaborated with companies, public institutions, universities, and cultural organizations, always focusing on attention to detail, contextual analysis, and design consistency.

How did you become a designer?

LIARDM : Our journey began from a shared passion for art, visual communication, and architecture. Since our university years, we understood that design was a tool to read and interpret reality, improving it through functional and meaningful projects. The desire to give form to impactful ideas has driven us to work in this field, refining our skills both through study and practical experience.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

LIARDM : Our design approach is based on listening, analysis, and synthesis. We always strive to deeply understand the context and client needs to create coherent, functional, and lasting solutions. We combine analog and digital work, manual sketches, prototypes, physical mock-ups, and modeling and rendering tools. For us, every project is a balance between thought and form, content and image.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

LIARDM : Designing gives us a sense of discovery and deep involvement. There is an initial excitement tied to the idea, followed by focus and technical challenge in shaping it, and finally gratification when the project comes to life. For us, design is a form of storytelling that unites emotion and rationality, and it is in this dialogue that we find our creative balance.

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

LIARDM : Beyond design skills, we have been strongly shaped by observation ability, cultural sensitivity, and critical thinking. A solid architectural foundation taught us to think in systems and relationships, while interest in graphics, art, and photography enriched our aesthetic vision. Multidisciplinarity is one of our main resources.

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

LIARDM : We have several projects underway and are enthusiastically working on upcoming challenges. We invite you to follow us on our social channels to stay updated on news and future developments.

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

LIARDM : Our most important advice is to cultivate curiosity, observe carefully, and listen before designing. Building a solid visual culture and not fearing mistakes are essential. The best projects often come from nonlinear processes. It is also important to engage in dialogue and accept constructive criticism. Finally, invest in your design identity without chasing trends.

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

LIARDM : We recommend always keeping a clear view of the world, avoiding self-referentiality. Design is not decoration but a responsibility. One must learn to design consciously, be rigorous, but also capable of surprising. We believe in professional ethics, sharing knowledge, and building authentic relationships.

What is your day to day look like?

LIARDM : Every day is different. We alternate moments of research and discussion with more practical phases.

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

LIARDM : We follow trends with a critical spirit. We pay attention to the evolution of visual language but prefer to build a personal design identity. We read industry magazines, attend exhibitions, follow conferences, and engage with colleagues and students. However, the most powerful inspiration often comes from non-design contexts: nature, literature, urban life..

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

LIARDM : For us, good design clearly, coherently, and honestly communicates. It must be functional but also capable of evoking emotions. When a project is simple without being banal, elegant without being cold, we know the goal is achieved. Common mistakes include excess form, poor attention to context, and lack of thought behind aesthetics.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

LIARDM : We know a project is ready when it can stand on its own, without further explanations or justifications. This is also an intuitive moment when form and content align. However, we recognize that every project could still evolve: for this reason, we carefully archive everything, ready to revisit if needed but also able to let go.

What is your biggest design work?

LIARDM : For us as designers, every work, even the smallest, is important. Every project is a unique opportunity to experiment, learn, and contribute value.

Who is your favourite designer?

LIARDM : We admire many designers and architects, but if we had to name a few, we would say: Alvar Aalto, Eileen Gray, Charles and Ray Eames, Philippe Starck, and Karim Rashid.

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

LIARDM : We live and work in Italy, a country with an extraordinary cultural and visual layering that inspires us daily. Our culture has taught us the value of beauty, detail, and balance. Music, art, photography, and literature are part of our daily life and deeply influence our work.

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

LIARDM : We work collaboratively, both between us and with our partners and clients. We seek professional relationships based on trust, respect, and dialogue. We carefully evaluate every project, preferring quality over quantity. We are demanding with ourselves but open to confrontation. We consider it essential to have an ethical and responsible vision of our work at every stage.

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

LIARDM : As a team of architects and designers, we deeply believe in the value of design serving the community. We actively engage in pro bono projects for social initiatives, offering sustainable and accessible solutions. Additionally, we participate in workshops and conferences to support and inspire young talents, thus contributing to the growth and wellbeing of society through design.

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

LIARDM : Participating in the A’ Design Award has been a valuable opportunity for exchange, visibility, and growth. The three main benefits we found are: international recognition, the chance to be part of a global network of professionals, and the appreciation of the design process. Design awards motivate us to do better, reflect, and constantly raise quality standards.

Luigi Ippoliti and Rosita di Mizio Profile