Interview with Tiago Curioni

Tiago Curioni ("TC") interviewed on Tuesday, 10 November.

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

TC : I started as an architect 10 years ago in my own studio. I believed at the time that experimentation would be the best I can do for my career. So I work with not only architecture but also with interior design and landscape design. For me, an architect should create global, and not pieces of a project.

How did you become a designer?

TC : I became a designer, or more specific, a product designer in an organic way. I used to design also the furniture I would use in my own interior design projects. My clients loved the idea because it was cheap to finance. For me, it was also great because it was a chance to see my own products realized.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

TC : First things first, and by this I mean, this design must be unique and special. Without this, it´s hard to claim attention to your work. In the second place, something people can feel in details. Its small drops of beauty and intelligence which the product must have. For last, but very important, people need to buy this, even it not affordable, but you have to know your public.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

TC : It´s always an adventure. I still remember when I saw my first product complete in front of me. It´s an exciting experience to try this. I´m an emotional person, such a lot of others designers and artists. So, I can tell by sure that I feel something very unique when I see my work for the very first time in person.

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

TC : Oh, this is easy to answer. I was created by my grandmother on a farm near São Paulo, with a lot of cousins with the same age. It was incredible. We can do, or we thought we can, do anything. We had created lakes, treehouses, bridges, and it was always ok by my grandma. It was very different from the childhood of my other friends. I must thank my family for this opportunity because teach me how to create without boundaries.

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

TC : I´m moving to Portugal to study in a master of product and industrial design. I want to be closer to the industries.To be in Europe is a big step to a designer from Brazil because we already work with many companies from there.

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

TC : Stay curious and always before finish any project, take off a detail. It will let your design better

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

TC : You have to persist. Sometimes it´s hard to find the doors open for you, but if you give up, you will not find the open door. Also, believe in your feelings. If you ask too much people opinions, you will do nothing.

What is your day to day look like?

TC : It´s busy and most part, annoying. A lot of problems to solve and deal. The fun part is when everybody leaves and you can dedicate yourself to creation.

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

TC : I´m a Brazilian designer, and a lot of people expects that I should design a Brazilian design. Whatever this means. But I try not to follow a trend or even has a signature of my work. I want to try different technics and materials. Something that nobody had tried yet.

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

TC : I have to make sense. There are so many things out there that don´t. Sometimes, the most powerful design is that one without any perfume, and by this I mean, simplicity. A good way to measure this is, if you have to explain, it´s not good enough.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

TC : This is a long way. I try also to make a lot of prototypes and some clinics where people can try my products in advance. But there is a quote I like to use. Done, is better than perfect. In Portuguese make more sense.

What is your biggest design work?

TC : I think the Savannah armchair. It´s a powerful thing and people from every corner of the world ask me about it. It´s my favorite one too.

Who is your favourite designer?

TC : There is a lot, but I think, Achille Castiglioni. He is a complete designer.

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

TC : To live in Sao Paulo is very tuff. It´s a huge city with a lot of problems. For this, it´s a good place to research about new solutions and creative ways to increase people´s life. The competition here is also hard. I think Brazil it´s one of the best places to find good designers.

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

TC : I try to keep my mindset every time on creation. I´m especially interested in search and try things nobody had tried yet. I don´t interest myself in trends or places everybody is looking at. My studio keeps two different products lines. One, we call ´´combat products`` and it´s more commercial, but with a lot of particles of innovation on it, and the other line, the creations from the author, and as you can imagine, the most fun part from the studio.

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

TC : Not as a designer, I think, but I run a group of professionals who help the homeless an drug addicts people on streets. It´s a work I´ve been done about 5 years now, every Monday on Sé Place, one of the most dangerous places in Sao Paulo. I decided to do this to return to people some of the good things I have in life. It's a rewarding job

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

TC : It´s a good investment in your career, for sure. Not only the media starts to look at you, but also the industries. This is a way to grow your business and for that, it worth every cent. Also, it helps you to grow your team and to challenge you to stay all the time focused to be more and more innovative. The jury wants the best!

Tiago Curioni Profile