Francesco Dolce is a magnificent designer working hard to make the World a better place with their original and innovative award-winning designs and creations.
Francesco Dolce ("FD") interviewed on Thursday, 23 May.
FD : Born in a country where art and design is not just a profession but a part of the culture, I have always been inspired to be a designer, from a very young age. At first, my interests led me to pursue architecture at Politecnico di Milano first and then at Universidad di Belgrano. Later, being inspired from the design society around me, combined with my interests in attention to details, I moved on to designing products that are highly functional and aesthetic. This was also the time I partnered with my friend and MBA graduate, Marco Iurilli, to start a design studio that focuses on the same mission and thus Woodie Milano was realised. From then, we have been in constant efforts to create stylish charging solutions that makes people’s life easier and sleeker such as the Woodie Hub: the 5-in-one power station.The Woodie Wireless Hub combines a wireless charging pad with 2 universal AC sockets, 2 USB ports and Made in Italy premium materials. The unique design lets you charge 5 devices in one without compromising on style. The wireless hub, with its premium wood, marble and aluminum frames makes it perfect for any ambient. We have been lucky enough to have served a vast variety of clients, to name a few being: Burj Al Arab, Mandarin Oriental, Chateau Monfort, The Nicolaus Hotel, Terme di Saturnia, Hyatt, Carlton Hotel Baglioni, Roseate and Town House Galleria. We have also presence in retail stores like Rinascente, Uncommongoods, The Amazing Store, Kapok, Vela and Vaudeville.
FD : I moved with my father in northern Italy during my adolescence and the search for a new apartment together with the architectural renovations have ignited in me a passion for architecture and design. I was not forced to become a designer, rather the opposite. I had to fight to make my family digest the choice to undertake architectural studies. Design for me is culture; it is problem solving; it is being able to make a change to how people experience the world. It is not merely creating objects that look good, but it is to fill the gap between purposeless design and everyday use technology to give the consumers the best possible experience.
FD : We, at Woodie Milano, believe in the human first approach. We believe in creating products that cover your everyday needs, that are useful and beautiful, that gives you emotion and a deeper feeling than just a mere plastic object.
FD : I feel most excited and curious to see how an initial idea realises into a product. I feel content and excited to see my designs in use by actual people and how my design is able to make at least a tad bit of difference in their lives.
FD : Since childhood, I have always been surrounded by art. I grew up in my grandfather's uncle house, he had been a well-known Neapolitan art critic who was contemporary with artists such as De Chirico and Picasso. His house was literally filled with pieces of art. Paintings and sculptures of the last century marked my daily life during my childhood. Despite all these stimuli, I would never have thought of starting an artistic career.
FD : For now, my plans for the future are realising the winning design- Luna Smart Lamp with potential stakeholders and setting it up for production. Also, we plan on promoting Luna through trade fairs and exhibitions.This would happen parallel to the addition of more products to our existing product line. Since my company Woodie Milano and I managed to create a super-versatile product for multiple uses, we hope that Luna will have a special location both in consumers’ homes, offices and in restaurants that are struggling to effectively respond to their client requests for charge.
FD : If I had to give advice to younger designers, I would suggest them to master any design software they like.
FD : Dream big, work hard and always stay curious.
FD : A usual day begins with a cup of coffee while scrolling through daily news. At work, we begin the day with a meeting to brief on the status of each one’s work and also to have a brainstorming session on how to improve our efficiency. Then either I start off with a new project or mostly, work on an existing project to iterate it after client feedbacks. I also always find time to feed myself with design news and other interesting activities out there. Also,in between reaching out to my clients, I also try to connect with peers and contemporaries to collaborate or get an opinion on my designs or just to stay in touch.