Interview with Bruno De Lazzari from Brazil
Interview with Yitong Du and Mengzhe Ye from the United States
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Bruno De Lazzari
Bruno De Lazzari is a product designer and entrepreneur from Porto Alegre, Brazil. He studied architecture at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) and later founded De Lazzari Mobili. His passion for design was ignited by his family's legacy in woodworking and his architectural education.
1Please give us a brief bio of yourself and your background.
I'm Bruno De Lazzari, a product designer and entrepreneur from Porto Alegre, Brazil. I studied architecture at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) and later founded De Lazzari Mobili.
2What made you become/why did you choose to become a product designer?
My passion for design was sparked by my family's legacy in woodworking and my architectural education. This background made product design a natural progression for me, as it allowed me to explore and innovate within the realms of practical and aesthetic creation.
3What does “design” mean to you?
To me, design is the bridge between creativity and functionality. It's the art piece that solves a practical human need. It's about crafting solutions that not only serve a purpose but also communicate and resonate on an aesthetic level.
4What’s your favorite kind of design and why?
My favorite kind of design are complex, but simple, elegant but impressive!
5To you, what makes a “good” design?
Good design solves a problem with an artistic touch and innovation.
6Describe your design style and its main characteristics.
My design style is minimalist with a focus on smooth lines and curves justified by their function. The simplicity in my designs highlights the quality and natural beauty of the materials, especially wood!
7Tell us about your design process.
As I bring my projects to life in the atelier, I encounter surprises at every stage. The melding of concept, design, and execution underscores the organic and evolutionary character of my art, where each phase complements and enriches the next. So, my process is very organic and focused on prototyping.
8Do you think your country and its cultural heritage has an impact on your design process?
Absolutely, Brazil's rich cultural heritage and vibrant arts scene deeply influence my designs, infusing them with a unique blend of traditional values and contemporary aesthetics.
9Congratulations! As the winner of the 2024 NY Product Design Awards, what does it mean to you and your company and team to receive this award distinction?
I'm very grateful and pleased that my design could speak its meaning through images and description alone, and it means a lot to me and the people around me who help in some way or another!
10Can you explain a bit about the winning work you entered into the 2024 NY Product Design Awards, and why you chose to enter this project?
The Grampo Lamp was the winning project. Inspired by Brazilian tropical wood's flexibility, it embodies a commitment to innovative design, featuring a versatile and aesthetically pleasing lamp that pushes the boundaries of design.
11What was the biggest challenge with this project?
The most difficult part of designing and executing the lamp was to harmonize the wood's flexibility with the internal wire connection that allows the lamp to charge when fitted, and also to fit the electronic components inside the removable spot.
12How has winning an award developed your practice/career?
Winning the award has opened up new opportunities for collaboration and has attracted a broader clientele interested in contemporary brazilian wood design.
13What are your top three (3) favorite things about our industry?
1. The public affection.
2. The privilege to work with creativity and be able to see and touch the results.
3. The privilege of being there throughout the entire process, its very therapeutic.
14What makes your country specifically, unique in the design industry?
Brazil's design industry is unique in its its use of wood, a sustainable and very abundant material in a our country.
15Where do you see the evolution of design industry going over the next 5-10 years?
More computational design, 3D printing in new sustainable materials, AI robots handling the hard work of manufacturing, driving new solutions for designers.
16If you were a student entering this industry or an aspiring NY Product Design Awards submitter, what advice would you give them?
Test, test, and test solutions and designs. The process will provide solutions that you wouldn't imagine. So, it's about the time spent on a project.
17What resources would you recommend to someone who wants to improve their skills in the design industry?
Social media focused on the history of design and manufacturing processes.
18Tell us something you have never told anyone else.
Well, not anyone, but not everyone either. I aspire to, one day, be a sculptor.
19Q20. Who has inspired you in your life and why?
My father and grandfather, both skilled woodworkers, inspired me with their dedication to craftsmanship and their ability to create beauty from simplicity.
20What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?
Persistence and passion.
21Do you have anything else you would like to add to the interview?
I look forward to continuing designing products that in some way stand out.
Winning Entry
Grampo Lamp | 2024
Bruno De Lazzari
Bruno De Lazzari is a product designer and entrepreneur from Porto Alegre, Brazil. He studied architecture at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) and later founded De Lazzari Mobili. His passion for design was ignited by his family's legacy in woodworking and his architectural education.
Read more about this interview with Yitong Du and Mengzhe Ye from the United States, the Silver Winners of the 2024 NY Product Design Awards.