Interview with Nicholas Perillo

Nicholas Perillo ("NP") interviewed on Saturday, 17 March.

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

NP : I am a recent graduate from RMIT University in Australia where I finished with 1st Class Honours. I’ve been working as an industrial designer in various capacities for a bit over two years while studying and now I’m working for Tekt Industries in Melbourne developing some exciting new products.

How did you become a designer?

NP : I have always been creative and loved to make things as a child. Through my schooling I loved art and tech subjects and made many sculptures. Being a tech lover as well, Industrial Design was a natural progression that enabled me to combine my artistic talents with analytical problem solving and technology. I didn’t even know it was a career path until my final year of school but I haven’t looked back since. Design has become a lifestyle for me. It’s a hobby and it pays the bills which is a nice bonus.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

NP : As a young designer my process is constantly evolving. I place a lot of value in establishing the problem to be solved and generating lots of rough concepts. This is a fairly short process however. Once a direction is established the most important part of the design process for me is rapid iterative prototyping. Sketching is useful but I use it mostly as a note taking tool, the real problems are solved with physical and working prototypes. My prototyping process does involve a lot of digital design but mostly in direct modelling programs that allow for rapid design. Speed is essential because it allows me follow tangents and to experiment more rapidly and with more iterations without time consuming parametric restrictions. The many quick and rough prototypes and material experiments inform a final highly resolved physical prototype. A beautiful working prototype to me is better than a thousand beautiful renders.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

NP : When I’m designing and I find a good concept I enter an into an intense and unstoppable focus. For me the prototyping process is the most exciting. I love to get my hands dirty and really understand the materials I’m working with. I often question my sanity when trying to execute an ambitious projects in a small timeframe but the final result is always worth it. Finishing and exhibiting a new design after countless hours of hard work is incredibly satisfying.

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

NP : I grew up in an a very creative environment that valued hard work but at the same time a laid back attitude and a good sense of humour. I think the work ethic this developed has helped me to work incredibly hard but not to take myself too seriously. This is really important for creative work where you really need to let your mind roam free.

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

NP : My growth path is still unclear. I have intentionally developed a very broad and varied skillet and portfolio that covers a range of design disciplines. This is because I see myself as a multidisciplinary designer and I want to be able to position myself so that I can coordinate complex projects that involve diverse team with very different skill sets. I have recently been doing a lot of work in the interactive installation field which combines the best of art, design, science and engineering to create really captivating experiences. There is a lot to be explored in this space and I think it will keep me occupied for a while.

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

NP : I’m at the beginning of my career so I can’t say much. I will say to anyone at university to push the boundaries and work hard on projects you are passionate about, you may not get another chance to have full creative control over a project for a while. I went against advice to design my final year project around conventional design job opportunities. Instead I followed in unconventional path that I was very passionate about and this has opened more doors than I could have imagined even existed.

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

NP : I don’t have enough experience to answer this question with any authority.

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

NP : I subscribe to a few design newsletters and try to visit as many art and design exhibitions as possible. I don’t really look at trends. I’m not looking for incrimental improvements to keep up with the market. I look for real problems that haven’t been solved yet or that have not seen enough innovation.

What is your biggest design work?

NP : https://vimeo.com/258969332