Lisa Vincitorio is a Melbourne based freelance Product Designer who has designed for Italian design factory Alessi and Australia & New Zealand based Corporate Culture. You may recognise several of her designs including the famous Fruit Loop and her latest creation for Alessi, Zucch.
In this interview I chatted with Lisa about her take on design, career challenges and design processes. Enjoy and be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments.
Highlights
- “…it is extremely important to exhibit in trade fairs because it is an opportunity for the world to see what you are doing. It is also a fantastic opportunity to meet international manufacturers”
- “…it is most important to have inspiration, passion, confidence and perseverance. Inspiration, and Passion for design, new technologies, and making a difference.”
- “Design is not something you choose, but something that chooses you.”
1. Lisa, Welcome to Design Droplets. Thank you for taking the time to talk with us, could you please give us a quick introduction on yourself.
Thank you for having me. I graduated from BA Design – Industrial Design at RMIT in 2003. In 2004 I exhibited my graduating pieces (including the Fruitloop) in Salone Satellite at the Milan furniture fair with RMIT University and Kjell Grant. It was there that I was able to make contact with the Product Editor for Alessi, but taking the Fruitloop to their stand at the fair, and commence my relationship with the company through the manufacture of the Fruitloop. In 2004, I also exhibited the Urchin at Tokyo Designers Block and was awarded a prize. Last year, as a director of Melbourne Movement, I helped to send a collection of students to exhibit in Milan once again. Since the launch of the Fruitloop in 2005, I have worked on a number of projects with Alessi, the latest being Zucch, which was launched in October of 2008.
Fruitloop – Manufacturer Alessi 2005
2. You have are one of the youngest designers to work with Alessi can you tell us a bit about your experience with Alessi?
Working with Alessi is an exciting experience. The company as a whole is extremely passionate with design and pushing the boundaries. This aspect is a designers dream, as nothing ever seems too hard, and they will work with you to make your design intent a reality.
3. You have exhibited in the Milan and Tokyo, how important is it for Designers to be part of trade fairs? And why?
I think that it is extremely important to exhibit in trade fairs because it is an opportunity for the world to see what you are doing. It is also a fantastic opportunity to meet international manufacturers, which may otherwise be impossible given our geographical distance from the rest of the world.
4. Can you talk about your personal design philosophy?
Design is the practice of creativity and provides the opportunity to enhance the way we live.
As a designer, I have the opportunity to have a positive effect on people and the environment. Design becomes my virtual forum to the world.
Urchin – Exhibited in Milan and Tokyo 2004
5. You have been featured in many design magazines, how can the press can help young designers?
The press is an important way to launch a young designer by familiarising the industry with you and what you are doing. It is also a good way of associating the designer with their work.
6. Can you tell us a bit about the process your go through to come up with new designs/products?
I go through a different design process depending on whether I am presented with a specific client brief or not.
If I am, then the first step in my design process is to research the client requirements, and intent, and feasible technologies for the project. Then I commence to generate concepts, whilst engaging the client. I then develop and detail the project ready for manufacture.
If I do not have a specific brief my initial design process is very emotive. It is dependent on mood, feeling. I try to create a creative atmosphere through music to encourage a successful conceptual phase. After this phase I transform the concept into a model using the PC, and research methods of manufacture. I generally like a physical item to gauge proportion, so I then will have the model prototyped.
Louu – Coffee table exhibited in Milan 2008
7. Can you talk a bit about some of the projects you are currently working on?
This year I launched a collection of tables with Australian & NZ Furniture Supplier, Corporate Culture. I am also working with a Danish product supplier on a series of architectural hardware and accessory products.
8. What do you think is the most important skill for Australian Industrial Designers to possess?
I think it is most important to have inspiration, passion, confidence and perseverance. Inspiration, and Passion for design, new technologies, and making a difference. Confidence in yourself, your work and capabilities, and confidence to take a chance in what may better your career. And perseverance to continue on with your passion, even if you feel that it does not seem to be leading anywhere.
I think it is also important for designers to be gutsy ,put yourself out there, and not shy away from meeting with people that may be able to produce your products. I may not have had the opportunities I have had thus far if I didn’t take the fruitloop to the Alessi stand at the Milan furniture fair.
Zucch – Manufacturer Alessi 2008
9. What has been the biggest challenge in your career so far?
This year I have taken the chance to commence my own freelance design business, which has proven to be a challenge. My main challenge has been marketing my services both locally and internationally. I have also found that the freedom associated with running your own business requires a great deal of discipline and structure. Having always been employed by a company, I have had to ensure that I create the structure required to maintain a successful and productive environment.
10. Lisa, thanks for taking the time to talk with us here at Design Droplets. Do you have any final thoughts or advice for Design Droplets readers?
Yes, Design is not something you choose, but something that chooses you. You are drawn to it. Be inspired, push the boundaries and persevere.
Array coffee table – Supplied by Corporate Culture 2009
Array Side table - Supplied by Corporate Culture 2009
