DESIGNER IN PROFILE: Jean-Pierre Alfano

AirJet Designs have reached the shortlist in both the International and Asia Pacific aviation awards for their elegant interior scheme within the private jet Dolce Vita BBJ.

 

Here, Jean-Pierre Alfano, Founder and Creative Director of AirJet Designs, reveals his thoughts on the key factors directing aircraft design today…

 

1. NATURE
“People are expressing a need to return to natural elements, favouring ecological materials. People want products and designs that are respectful of the environment and in harmony with nature.”

2. CULTURE
“Another trend is the emerging need for people to be able to identify themselves in a product or design. People are attracted to a design that has a cultural dimension to it.”

3. RETRO
“In response to the global economic downturn, people are looking to designs and products that take them back to a more nostalgic time. A time when they were younger and life felt good. This is why in design we are seeing a movement towards retro and vintage. For example, we’ve seen a huge interest in cars like the restyled ‘Mini’ as opposed to more futuristic designs.”

4. BEAUTY (or FORM over FUNCTION)
“Consumers are definitely more interested in beautiful products rather than functional/efficient designs. Aesthetics are becoming more and more important among the key factors of a successful design.”

5. FEEL
“A successful design is one that brings emotion to the consumer. This is why there is more and more interest in sensory designs within aircraft and yachts interiors, where smell and touch are now considered to be an integral aspect of the design. One aircraft that we worked on had perfume devices in the master bedroom and washroom, with a unique, custom-made scent developed for the customer.”

 

http://www.airjet-designs.com/

http://thedesignawards.co.uk/yachtandaviation/interview-airjet-designs.html (interview in full)