For Rodrigo Torres design inspiration comes from many different sources and the design process that follows is both a solo and collaborative process. It all begins with art… GP

Freezy – Glowing pillow for Felicerossi, designed with S. Giovannoni and F. Gooris.

When did you decide to become a designer?

When I was 15 years old.

How did you realise, at 15, that it was design what you wanted to do for a living?

I have been in an artistic environment since I was a small kid, my parents encouraged me often (when I was driving them crazy) to express my self through an artistic activity such as painting or sculpting, I knew since then that I wanted to become an artist. At 15 years old , one year before graduating from high school I heard about this career that involved arts, technology and people’s needs… since then I fell in love with it, design became my passion and I decided to become a designer.

Where do you do most of your design work?

On my sofa, in the shower and in front of my PC …

Is design for you a mostly intellectual activity rather than a hands on process?

Design is a conceptual activity, completely intellectual. Concepts are translated into shapes, performances and rituals that involve objects and people … transforming our culture.

Where, or from what, do you get inspiration for your work?

From life in all its manifestations, from social rituals, from collective memory…

Is there any particular place where you go hunting for inspiration when you need it?

Museums, book stores, fairs, outdoors…

Morfeo sofa for Domodinamica.

What is your favourite part of the design process and why?

The first step, when I am in front of a virgin paper… when the creation starts to take place.

Do you confront your ideas when you are in the process of designing? And in that case, who do you share your thoughts with, who do you ask for opinions and critics?

I always confront my ideas after the first brainstorm and then through the whole design process. Before that step, after analyzing the brief and defining the conceptual roads to follow, I just let the ideas flow out of my head in a compulsive way … I ask for feedback often to people around me (involved or not in the project), I think that it’s healthy to confront yourself with the critics and learn from them.

How would you label/categorize your work?

I leave that to the critics… I just wanna express myself in order to be happy.

Mist table for Domodinamica.

Do you have a signature style? If yes, what are the hallmarks of your style?

Honesty.

Who are your favourite designers and/or architects?

I don’t have a favorite one, I believe that one should learn from everyone, there’s a lot of interesting people around and many masters that left an incredible legacy… Maybe Achille Castiglioni is one of the most interesting ones.

What item (PC, pen, etc) can you not do without when you are designing?

Pen.

What’s next?

Create until I die.

Mist chair for Domodinamica.

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VITAL STATS

Full name: Rodrigo Torres

Location: Milan

Size of team: army of one

In business since: 2000

Claim to fame projects: Mist armchair, Duna armchair, Mist table and morfeo Bed-sofa… All for Domodinamica – Italy

Spare time: illustration… and beer tasting

MEDIA FAVES

Favorite website(s): www.youtube.com

What music is on your iPod or radio? Blues, jazz, punk, funk, grunge, rock, trip hop, reggae

Your favourite magazine(s): I don’t have one…

Last or current book you are reading: Angels and Demons

Last movie you saw: Delikatessen