The material becomes a description of lightness, the idea becomes inspiration and then design, innovation supports and sustains the story. This is how the Poetics of Design by Mirco Crosattoa harmony of opposites merging into an unmistakable signature. We of Design Lifestyle we wanted to meet the designer who has made simplicity without banality the main feature of his work.
Mirco Crosatto is one of the most capable and innovative product designers in the lighting field, head of department R&D for Linea Light Group since 1997. In his work he has collaborated with internationally renowned designers. For Stilnovo, a historic design lighting brand acquired by Linea Light Group, the designer has signed: Reflexiowhich won the prestigious IF Design Award in 2018; the lamp Diphywhich won the 2017 Red Dot Award, was included in the AIT Trends in the same year, and was awarded an Honourable Mention at the 2018 ADI Compasso d'Oro; the Demì and Derby sound-absorbing lamp, both awarded the Red Dot Award 2019; the table lamp Dresscodeappreciated for its sophisticated colours and the interchangeability of its components.
A lifetime of product design in the lighting industry. Which job are you most fond of?
There is no particular job, they are all equally important to me. Rather than a job, there is one 'moment' in my work that I am most fond of and that is when I make the first prototype. It is the most important moment when I see the idea become reality, perhaps after a long waiting period in which I waited for the parts of the project to be realised, after having designed them and seen them thanks to computer-generated 3D images. And it is a really beautiful moment, the most exciting in my opinion.
How does your creative process come about?
The creative process begins in different ways: sometimes it is strongly stimulated by new technologies that offer opportunities to imagine objects that were previously unrealisable; at other times it is the desire to want to make something with unique characteristics in order to win over the end customer.
What role should light play in your opinion?
In fact, I think it is important to create buildings that are internally lit by as much natural light as possible, to help consume as little electricity as possible; similarly, the lamps must illuminate comfortably when needed and be designed to be as efficient as possible.
And what is the role of the designer today?
I think that designers today must, on the one hand, look to the great masters of the past, who made objects that did not exist before and met the new demands of the time; on the other hand, they must look to the future, using the new technologies that we have and that will be developed in the coming years and using environmentally friendly materials.
How is the conception of space changing in the light of Covid-19?
Covid-19 has forced us into social distancing and this has made us change habits we were strongly attached to, such as handshakes and hugs between friends. Spaces and objects will also have to take these new rules into account: the former by creating places where people can gather safely; this will be possible thanks to new technologies in the area of sanctification and in the subdivision of environments, which must nevertheless remain welcoming at the same time.
The objects we share should have systems that limit or eliminate their touch altogether: for example, the use of voice or remote control may have more
developments and applications, always in the hope that a cure for this pandemic will be found as soon as possible.
If he had to encapsulate his style in three words...
Simple, not complicated. Accessible, not unreachable. Sober and clean, free of contamination or kitch elements. Positive adjectives for a style that I want and hope will always inspire confidence in product and design.
