Design Interview 10Q: while in lockdown enjoy a designer's adventure to be inspired
Fabio Mario Rizzotti, the Italian based graphic designer who provided us with this Atlas about Letterforms is in lockdown.
For Rizzotti the global "social distancing" mode is a motive for a brand new social adventure into the graphic design realm.
The Milan-based graphic designer believes in the collective power of graphics therefore he is on a mission to inspire and connect acclaimed creatives through his interview series "Design Interview 10Q."
Typeroom talks with Rizzotti on this experiment of his while the pandemic of COVID-19 restructures our daily lives and industries.
Typeroom: How did u come up with the idea of Design Interview? What's the inspiration behind it?
Fabio Mario Rizzotti: As the lockdown from city to city continues and the vast majority of people are staying at home, battling it out with this global pandemic, I thought that we could help each other as a design community.
So instead of just letting creatives and aspiring designers alike, "burning" their brains reading fake news, flooded with "garbage" articles on their smartphones, let's generate and share inspiring content as an antidote to the disinformation.
Regarding the inspiration, I would say that I love to listen to podcasts about design so there you are.
TR: What is Design Interview 10Q all about?
FBR: Sharing inspiring and insightful content with people, making them "feel" part of this global design community of ours which needs support whilst providing interesting insights on each designer's craftsmanship and talent.
We need to stay home, we must fight together against this virus that is generating so many problems so, let's get to know each other better maybe?
TR: Who are involved in the project?
FBR: The project is initiated by me, but I couldn't launch this without the help of a lot of designers from all around the world.
It has been incredible to receive so many confirmations and support on this project.
I plan on announcing each new interviewee once the episode is edited and available to share so I can't reveal many.
Yet, I can say that many big and influential names of our graphic design community are responding so lots of surprises are to follow. The world of designers is trying hard to be helpful in any way and they are incredibly generous.
The first two people to join us on this adventure is type designer and founder of Mucca Design, Matteo Bologna and graphic designer, educator and Ficciones
Typographika curator, Erik Brandt.
TR: How often are you gonna provide us with an interview?
FBR: It is not decided yet, for sure a couple of interviews per week is my ideal plan.
Everything depends as I interview, edit and take care of the post production of each video but my schedule is pretty full for the next two weeks so I guess you can expect many episodes in the following months.
TR: Where can we watch the series?
FBR: At the moment, the interviews will be uploaded on YouTube and then on the Design Interview 10Q's Facebook page.
We want to keep it simple as much as possible. I believe that if the format is good and interesting, people will appreciate and follow our adventure into design.
TR: What will be the core elements of your discussions?
FBR: The philosophy of Design Interview 10Q is clear and concise: "While everything is stopping, we talk about design."
There isn't a primary focus; the idea is to get to know the designers and their stories, to give insights of each one's creative strategy and motto. To accomplish that we are letting them to interpret and answer all ten questions at their own will.
The questions are based generally on what design is, what do they think about today's contemporary design, what is design in the digital era of ours, how would they define the role of the designer in the world now and in the future -especially in this precise moment that we are facing this global pandemic.
TR: How do you spend your time in these "social distancing" era of ours?
FBR: Well, I have to say that I am quite lucky. My studio works under the principles of smart working so we keep designing every day. Of course the intensity is lower, mainly because the Design Week here in Italy has been postponed -if not cancelled very soon.
TR: How is Italy's graphic design scene responding to the COVID-19 pandemic?
FBR: The unfortunate thing is that freelancers have low demand under this lockdown, therefore they are losing a lot of money, like most of the businesses in Italy right now.
The government had to take this decision to lockdown everyone and forcing people to stay at home, but they didn't think about the rest.
Of course, health is the most important thing, but I have friends that are facing a substantial financial crisis right now. Imagine the scenario in a few months from now...
TR: What is your all time favorite design documentary one should watch asap?
FBR: I would highly recommend your readers to read and watch "La mosca e la ragnatela-The fly and the spider web," a publication and documentary on Swiss graphic designer Bruno Monguzzi and Gary Hustwit's "Rams," the first feature documentary on Dieter Rams.
TR: What's your message to Typophiles out there?
FBR: First of foremost stay at home, safeguard yourselves and others.
I want all of us to keep fighting this pandemic in unity, I want us to be ready for a reboot because, at least according to my humble opinion, when this storm is over we must respond positively, going back and re-starting a new era, facing every challenge with clarity and kindness.
As a designer I am trying to do the best I can, to be better. I would like to invite all my colleagues to do the same because our world needs any help, from everyone, big or small. It matters.
Follow Design Interview 10Q here.
Tags/ interview, facebook, series, erik brandt, mario rizzotti, covid-19, ficciones typografika, matteo bologna
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