Michel Guglielmi is the founder of Diffus, along with Hanne-Louise Johannesen - working from their studio in Denmark. Michel is an architect who specialises in interaction design and tangible media, who teaches at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Art, Schools of Architecture and Design. Diffus assesses art and design from both a theoretical and practical approach, moving closely between technology, aesthetics and culture. Their focus is on form, content and how they interact. So we are proud to bring you the Designer Insights of Michel Guglielmi.
Image Credit: 1) Grape Design 2) Pop Up My Bathroom 3) Holmris Online 4) Elisa Strozyk 5) Lilian Van Daal
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1) In your own words describe your unique style and creative aesthetic?
We explore how cutting edge technologies, new materials, traditional craft and design can be combined together in meaningful ways. We try to embed sensual experiences into technology and smart interactions into traditional craft.
2) When starting a new project, what is your creative process?
Research, concept development, imaging user scenarios, prototyping, reiterations. We work in a multidisciplinary environment and get inspired by people with different backgrounds. In our process, we focus on a holistic approach.
3) Out of the creative people you have worked with, who is it that you respect and admire the most?
Zaha Hadid: Mostly because of her stubbornness through the years to get done what seemed to be unrealistic 30 years ago. Many people working with technology, not always considering themselves as being “creative”. Then out of those we didn´t work with: Olafur Eliasson: The sensual experience mediated through technology and craft and James Turell: The sensual experience mediated through light.
4) When looking for inspiration is there a particular thing you do to get inspired?
Drinking Coffee (pavlovian conditioning). Meeting researcher in Labs, craftsman’s in workshops, industrials in factories. Blogs and books. Last but not least: wandering and wondering.
5) What has brought you to this point in your career? And what is your advice for people looking to follow in your footsteps?
Coincidences in life. An obsessive “vision” of an enchanted world which challenges the dull scenarios of a cold techno-world. In a more pragmatic way: The fact that those 10 last years, Diffus has been a team of 2 very stubborn people made it possible to overcome difficulties and doubts. The advice: Be humble and dare to learn from the past. Cultivate yourself and be curious.
