Venetian freelance designer, teacher and creator of ADG Design Davide G. Aquini fashions witty furniture and lighting design products in collaboration with larger brands. He is also an accomplished self-producer and has a background in graphic design and advertising. ArchiExpo spoke with the designer to discuss his limited-edition Macarons / Postmodern lampshades made for FuoriSalone Ventura Lambrate 2015. He also reveals details on an upcoming project.
ArchiExpo e-Magazine: Why “digital folk textures” and “mixed pastel colors” for the Macarons lampshades?
Davide G. Aquini: Macarons are a French tradition. I decided to research vintage flavors and match each color with a certain taste. The folk pattern is an opportunity to have a vintage touch, but I didn’t want it to be a vintage project. So I decided to digitalize and pixilate the patterns. The digital folk style was born.
ArchiExpo e-Magazine: What is important about this style?
Davide G. Aquini: The postmodern style is one of the examples of Italian design during the 80’s; I think it was very contemporary during those days
ArchiExpo e-Magazine: What are you working on right now?
Davide G. Aquini: I’m working on a new exhibition for FuoriSalone for May 2016. In November 2015, I introduced Gran Turismo Lamp, dedicated to the Alfa Romeo 6C2300 Gran Turismo and made of marble and brass. Now I’m going to make a bigger version using different marble. The marble is Rosso Verona and comes from Verona, the city of Romeo and Juliet. It has a beautiful red hue.
ArchiExpo e-Magazine: What else will you submit to FuoriSalone 2016?
Davide G. Aquini: Another project in Carrara marble called Petit, produced by Apuana Corporate It is a collection of small vases that hold a single flower, like in the French novel The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.
Aquini can be found this April 2016 during Salone del Mobile at Milano Lambrate, via Massimiano 25.
ArchiExpo e-Magazine: Any advice for young designers?
Davide G. Aquini: Personally, I love self-production because of my education in graphic design. I like to be involved with the choice of materials and manufactures. Self-production is more complete. But it’s interesting to work with big brands because you have the opportunity to experiment with different kinds of production systems with a larger budget.
