Name: Felice Carlino
Company: SUMU DESIGN. (Japanese meaning – to live in, to dwell)
Position within company: Director / Owner
Website: www.behance.net/sumudesign
What direction do you feel design is moving towards in general terms?
Casual sophistication. People are more aware of refinement without the pomp and pageantry
Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2015 and beyond.
1. Beauty and resolution in all details
2. Design for reason and purpose
3. Functional and Practical
And key trends that we should be aware of?
1. Sustainability. Be it Social, Environmental or Economic
2. New technologies in materials and products.
What projects are you currently working on?
We are working on various projects, from residential projects to commercial workplace projects. We look forward to work on more airport lounges.
If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design schemes, what would it be?
Listen to what your client is not saying. Sometimes the most important things are said with body language.
A designer’s work is so diverse – how do you manage to hold down a career and a life?
For me, with a young family, the two are one. Technology today allows me that flexibility to spend quality time with my family while still providing the dedication and commitment our clients deserve for their projects.
How important are The International Yacht and Aviation Awards as recognition of talent and achievement?
The IY&A awards are very important as they recognize and promote a highly specialized field of design that usually is not represented in the mainstream design society.
What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
Our aim professionally, would to be invited to design more airport lounges throughout the world.
Personally, my aim would be to have a nice long holiday with my family.
Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself…
The car you drive?
Subaru Liberty, a good family car.
But I miss my 1974 BMW 3.0CSI
Your favourite place to travel to in the world?
I’ll decide once I’ve seen it all.
Your favourite hotel/ restaurant/ bar?
A little Italian restaurant in Melbourne Australia called DA NOI
The place that gives you the most energy?
London
And the place that enables you to totally relax?
Japan. As my wife is Japanese and as I don’t speak or understand Japanese, it allows me to spend a lot of quite time in very good company.
Your favourite food and drink?
Favourite food – Prosciutto, Pancetta and olives.
Favourite drink – A simple Beer
Anything else interesting?
It’s pretty cool to transfer an empty space into something people will enjoy.