I was lucky enough to be able to interview Roberto Lucci, the genius behind the idea of Design Maximisation. From designing, to lecturing, to winning awards, Roberto Lucci has done it all! Visit Roberto’s website www.robertolucci.com
Roberto Lucci has been involved in design for over 50 years. In that time he has designed more than 400 products that have been in the market for many years. Roberto was kind enough to answer some questions about his time in the design industry.
How did you become interested in designing furniture?
My journey into the design world is a long one. I went to the Milano Triennale in 1957, there was a large and comprehensive contemporary design exhibition. At the age of 15 I walked out of the exhibition with a clear idea in my mind on what I wanted to do with my life. The next day I again went to the contemporary design exhibition but this time with my mother, I showed her my plans for the future.
Tell me about your thought processes when creating a piece of furniture
My education started at the Institute of Design in Chicago the ‘New Bauhaus’ with fantastic professors – Mies Van der Rohe, Moholy Nagy, and Peterhans. This may explain why I believe the starting point in design should always be a problem to be solved; it could be a user’s problem or a manufacturing problem. 
What do you like most about your job?
The challenge in finding good solutions to problems
What do you like least about your job?
The frustration to sometimes see my designs ignored by the client
What kind of problems do you face on a day-to-day basis?
At my age, 73, the day-to-day issues don’t have much to do with design
Where do you see your carer going from here?
Now I have just a couple of very good clients, this is enough for me considering my age. I enjoy lecturing worldwide in design schools and institutions.
Where do you see the industry going?
Products are and will be made with less traditional materials and we are seeing more and more non-material product they still need a designer.
What kind of experience and preparation helped you the most in this industry?
Design Maximization is a term I conceived to define a strategy for developing single design concepts into product ranges with many variants. The advantages are that everyone will find the product that is right for them. The brand identity is strengthened and the revenue forecast is based upon many products rather than on just one. I think my most successful designs belong to this design strategy.
What do you find most rewarding in your line of work?
The Design Maximization strategy I just mentioned proved to be rewarding for both the manufacturer and myself.
What advice would you give for others trying to break into the design industry?
I think industrial design is an overcrowded work area today, focusing less on product design and focusing more on service design as a possible alternative, could help to open better opportunities.
We would love to take this opportunity to thank Roberto again for his time and for sharing his insights and thoughts with us here at Easy Office Furniture.
If anyone has any questions about Design Maximisation, planning your office design, layout or fit out then why not get in touch?
Simply drop us a message using the form below and a member of the team will be in touch.
