Interview with Ariel Palanzone

Ariel Palanzone ("AP") interviewed on Thursday, 19 May.

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

AP : I have been working in the design industry for more than 10 years. I have been a Graphic Designer, Motion Designer, 3D Dedigner and art director for animation in important advertising agencies in my country and internationally. Four years ago I worked as a freelance multidisciplinary designer. Some clients I work with are designers Alex Proba and Kati Forner.

How did you become a designer?

AP : Since I was little I was with a pencil in my hand drawing or building things for my toys. I believe that design and the desire to create are in my DNA and have always accompanied me.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

AP : Most of the time I like to start from pencil and paper sketches, do research and market analysis, write the keywords, relate them and build a concept. Then I take that to the computer, whether it's to build a graphics system, a design piece, or an artwork. In many cases I make models with cardboard or Styrofoam to adjust the proportions by hand and have contact with the material.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

AP : Butterflies feel in the belly. A mixture of uncertainty and anxiety, mixed with the feeling of freedom. There is also amazement at unexpected things in the process, which is the stage that I value the most. For me the process is already the result.

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

AP : I think the main characteristics are curiosity, power of observation and sensitivity. Also the fact of never being completely satisfied, thinking that an extra option can be presented to the client, which has to do with our personal vision about the project.

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

AP : I plan to advance in the development of personal objects and furniture for the industry. Bring my renderings to reality, and also parallel to it, continue with my artistic career.

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

AP : That they be authentic and curious. Trust in your potential and in materializing your ideas.

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

AP : I tell them to always keep moving, projecting into the future and in touch with new trends.

What is your day to day look like?

AP : I wake up in the morning, I try to meditate before breakfast to clear my mind. I start to see my notes, emails and work until noon. Then at about 6 pm I turn off my computer to go for a walk or go to the gym. Music accompanies me at all times. late at night is where I usually spend more time on my personal art and design projects.

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

AP : I look at Instagram Behance and Pinterest a lot to keep up with the trends, but I'm afraid I'm not alone with that. I also like to be inspired by art and design references from the 70s and also to go for a walk to get inspired by the city and nature.

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

AP : A good design from my point of view must be functional and at the same time aesthetic, pregnant, last over time, be understandable, honest and be in harmony with nature and the environment.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

AP : It is a difficult question for me to answer because it happens to me very often to return to old projects with the idea of improving them, so I would tell you that my designs are never completely closed.

What is your biggest design work?

AP : It is a difficult question for me to answer because it happens to me very often to return to old projects with the idea of improving them, so I would tell you that my designs are never completely closed.

Who is your favourite designer?

AP : Vasili Kandinski, Piet Mondrian, Marcel Breuer, Josef Albers, Le Corbusier, Milton Glaser, Jorge Luis Borges among others.

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

AP : I am a calm person who is very interested in culture and likes to walk around the city and discover things. I always work accompanied by music, from jazz to Rock N Roll, depending on my mood. My favorite city is New York for all the cultural and artistic mixture that this city has. At the moment I am in Buenos Aires, Argentina but I plan to settle in Europe in a short time. Design is always influenced by the context that surrounds it because as designers we are sponges that absorb external stimuli and operate with the elements of their culture. Our job is to understand that culture and find solutions to their problems. We are servants of the people and we must provide them with solutions that improve their quality of life.

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

AP : I think that my work culture is based on responsibility and commitment to the client. I always try to provide solutions to their specific problems and provide them with an extra quality bonus and try to exceed their expectations. I work alone, but in some projects I look for collaborators to enrich the process and the result.

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

AP : I haven't participated in events of this type yet, but I highly value designers who do this type of charity action, and I would like to be part of one of them in the future.

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

AP : I think they are a great important showcase to the world, especially for designers from emerging countries like in my case.

Ariel Palanzone Profile