10 Famous Designers Give Their Advice to Industry Up-and-Comers

ByMyProperty Life

We asked Patricia Urquiola, Gaetano Pesce, Hella Jongerius, and other heavyweights in the industry to share their wisdom for young designers.

We’ve gathered insights from 10 of the industry’s seasoned pros, including Gaetano Pesce, the Italian architect and designer, as well as Sofie Christensen Egelund, co-owner of Danish design company Vipp. Scroll below for a quick rundown of everyone’s best advice.

Patricia Urquiola

The Spanish architect and designer was recently awarded “Designer of the Decade” by numerous publications. Her new Gogan sofa for Moroso takes its name from a Japanese term for time-and water-worn stones.

Read another article:Design Trends for Creating a Vacation Vibe at Home

“First‚ never listen too much. I have two daughters‚ and naturally I tell them my point of view‚ but as you grow‚ you don’t have to listen to Papa and Mama anymore. In life and in design it’s the same. I love the word ‘culture.’ It represents your connection to the place where you live and your place within society. You have to understand how to speak from that position‚ how to announce it. Our desires are influenced by the dystopias that surround us. Technology and craft give us tools to find more possibilities for the future.”

Illustration by Ray Smith

Gaetano Pesce 

The Italian architect and pioneer in design shares his ideas on the future of design. Pesce recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of his still-provocative Up5 chair & Up6 ottoman with a special edition by B&B Italia.

Read another article:Hot Trends: 20 Best Farmhouse Style Kitchens in White and Wood

“I don’t see any other possibility but for designers to abandon the ‘decorativism’ with which they are currently concerned. The future of design will be content. When an object‚ in addition to practical values‚ expresses transcendental values‚ such as philosophical‚ religious‚ political ones‚ it then becomes art. Time constantly proposes new values that will be expressed through art‚ poetry‚ music‚ architecture‚ and so on. The use of different disciplines helps one avoid falling into a routine. Moreover‚ creativity has no barriers.”

Illustration by Ray Smith

Lora Appleton 

Appleton is a founder of both the Female Design Council and the acclaimed New York City-based studio kinder MODERN, a gallery showcasing children’s design of the 20th century and modern pieces. Here, she shares her thoughts on evolving as an artist and her memories of a favorite vintage find that she later sold to the Brooklyn Museum.

Read another article:Revamped Small Barcelona Apartment Combines Multiple Styles and Finishes

“I am going into my sixth year of kinder MODERN. In that time, I have had to keep shifting what we’re doing, and how we’re doing it because there’s so much change in the industry. I think we should all try to come at design from different angles so that we can harness what we do best, and why we do it, even as the landscape changes. Learning more about ourselves and putting that back into the work—that’s important. One vintage find was really special to me: a Ko Verzuu circular chalkboard from the 30s-era ADO workshop, a group that taught disadvantaged adults in The Netherlands. It was pretty incredible. I found that piece and then sold it to the Brooklyn Museum for their permanent collection. It was a really proud moment.”

Photo courtesy of Lora Appleton

See the full story on Dwell.com: 10 Famous Designers Give Their Advice to Industry Up-and-Comers

Similar Posts

  • The Ibiza Campo Loft

    The Ibiza Campo Loft
    A total transformation from an old abandoned warehouse to a dreamy loft on the island of Ibiza. On a remote mountain field in the rugged north of Ibiza lies this beautiful island home. What formerly
    served as a workshop and storage, has now been turned into a contemporary dream house. The owner of
    Ibiza Interiors and the Nieuw developed this 100 year old warehouse into a design guesthouse and
    showcase project. When interior architect Jurjen van Hulzen saw the structure and location of the building, the concept for the design was born. Concrete columns and steel beams were carrying a typical Ibizan ‘sabina beam’ roof. A mix of the industrial structure combined with the rustic roof formed the concept for the rest of the design: an interesting play and contrast between rustic and industrial. That’s also how it’s got the name ‘Campo Loft’, which basically means ‘industrial open living space on the field’. The beautiful traditional building structure has been preserved to keep the character of the typical Ibizan
    architecture. Basic and local materials have been used; a concrete floor, chalk and mud plastered stone
    walls and ‘sabina beams’ made from trees that only grow on the island. A new material that has been
    incorporated into the house is steel. A powdercoated steel is used for the window frames and doors, and
    there’s a custom made raw steel kitchen. The building had been unused for many years, and was in very poor condition. Therefore only the walls and parts of the roof could remain. Electricity, water and sewage were not present, the architects had to add all these things to make it work as a contemporary home. Water comes from a private well and there are solar panels installed for hot water, floor heating and electricity. The house is consequently completely independent of the grid operation and is thus self-sustainable. Owner Jurjen van Hulzen designed a well thought through floor plan, with a big open space on the south
    side of the building, with views all over the valley. The main space is connected to the big private terrace.
    The two bedrooms have been place on the north side corners of the building, to keep them dark and cool.
    Then there’s a dining space with build-in bench and roof light, that really made this ‘lost’ space part of the
    loft. And a bathroom with free standing bath with openable windows, to be able to get a fireplace and
    nature view when you’re bathing. The bathroom has herringbone pattern floor made from terra cotta tiles, a modern interpretation of the traditional Spanish floor. The loft has been designed to become a comfortable and modern space. A house with a basic, natural but high-end character. To finish of the design they have collaborated with their familiar project partners: 100% natural beds from Coco-mat, and all the furniture, lighting, curtains and carpets are from their partner store The Modern in Amsterdam. The urban and rough steel kitchen island with marble top is from Eginstill. And the walls have been decorated with art from gallery Vroom & Varossieau. They’ve used the bath and sink from Not Only White, and the taps and shower are designed by Piet Boon for Cocoon. The result is a fantastic contemporary natural residence where contrast plays a big role; old and new, sleek and rustic, light and dark, rough and soft. At the same time there’s a certain balance as well, and
    everywhere you look something is happening. With an incredible view from the mountain, a yoga platform
    on the roof and many fruit trees and a vegetable garden, this is truly a piece of paradise. The Campo Loft is now being used as a showcase project and guesthouse. A unique place to relax and unwind, designed by and for design lovers.