This is an interview I did back in November 2017 with Surface Pattern Designer, Luigi Riccardi. I wanted to introduce the interview here to give everyone a look into surface pattern design. Thanks and enjoy!
This week, I have the privilege of interviewing the owner of 215Funk.com, Luigi Riccardi, a talented surface pattern and graphic designer in New York City.
Tessa: Hello Luigi! I want to thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to be interviewed. As you already know, I am interested in your work. I've noticed you are a designer that works a lot in layers. I work a lot in layers when designing, and I think that was why I was drawn to your eye-catching designs and techniques. I want to start this interview with questions regarding the design that inspired me to interview you... BOTANICAL BEES for Printed Village's monthly Competition.
Tessa: You know Printed Village has several themes going in one month, WHY the BEE theme? What was your inspiration?
Luigi: Whenever I can, I try to submit at least one print a month to PV (Printed Village) contests, it’s a great excuse to work on ideas outside of my paid projects. As soon as I read the Bee brief I could visualize how I would approach the theme, starting with the vintage gold color palette. As I worked, I really liked how adding layers of geometric shapes contrasted with the more organic botanical elements.
Tessa: What technical processes did you use for creating Botanical Bees? Just give us a peek into your process... I don't want you to reveal all your secrets (ha-ha).
Luigi: I created that print in Photoshop and I used AI to create some of the elements. My process is pretty intuitive… I start with a concept, the vintage gold and geo/organic contrast, work out all the elements I might need, and build the prints starting from the background to set the main tone. I do work with a lot of layers and adjust as I go, the design kind of appears after a long series of adjustments.
Tessa: How did you come about discovering Printed Village?
Luigi: I am part of many groups and social media accounts that are forums for print designers, so I probably came to know about PV from some fellow designer posts. I joined the community a few years ago, and at the time,was more focused on building profiles and artwork for POD sites. I've recently started participating in the PV contests.
Tessa: On your 215Funk.com website, I've noticed you have a diverse background as a creative. I promise I will stay with asking questions dealing with surface pattern design, because if not, I will go down many 'bunny trails' in asking about all that you do as a creative (smiles), which I think is great!
Tessa: On your website, it mentions that you are also a graphic designer, so I will ask... HOW did you get started in graphic design?
Luigi: I started working on graphics when I was in college. I took a graphic design course and really enjoyed it. I continued to teach myself in my free time, I really loved testing out different Photoshop filters and effects. My friends knew I was working on these projects, so I would design flyers for raves & parties–that’s how I started to learn about layouts, fonts, etc. I continued to work on my trippy artwork on a larger scale (some of my pieces were part of an exhibit in Italy a few years ago.) And then I started doing more freelance graphic design projects via word of mouth.
Tessa: What made you cross over from graphic design to surface pattern design? Or, are you still working as a graphic designer?
Luigi: I used to own a small screen printing company in Brooklyn; after I sold it, I worked as graphic and signage designer for a large retailer for several years. I still really loved t-shirt design and would work on ideas on the side. When I left the full-time gig with the retailer, I knew I had more of a passion for textile and surface design, and decided to focus on that direction. I attended a conference where I ended up meeting my first freelance client, and I started designing prints for their trend gallery, and everything built from there! I do still enjoy graphic design so when there is an opportunity, I also take on web, layout and retouching projects.
Tessa: Do you find graphic designing different from surface pattern designing? And if so, in what way?
Luigi: The biggest difference is that with graphic design you have to focus on communicating a message, so the design process involves finding a way to communicate that message most effectively, hopefully in the most attractive & creative way. Surface design doesn’t have that requirement, so even if I’m working with a brief that indicates certain elements or colors must be included, there’s more freedom in expressing myself.
Tessa: You are a New Yorker, but you are originally from Turin, Italy... whenever you visit Italy, do you find yourself looking for 'new' inspiration for your designing? Do you find the design style in Italy totally different than the style of surface pattern design in USA?
Luigi: Although I respect the tradition of surface and textile design in Italy, I’ve spent half of my life in New York, learning design here in the states. I’m more inspired by the eclectic style I see on the streets here and by my travels in Asia.
Tessa: Again, on your website, I read that you have travelled to Kathmandu (Nepal), India, and Ho Chi Mihn City (Vietnam)... all I can say to that is 'WOW' (smiles). Have those places been influential to your creativity and your designing process? How?
Luigi: Travelling is one of the things a love the most… it has definitely influenced me as a person as well as my sense of design . I’m very drawn to that part of the world, and it definitely influenced my overall sense of aesthetic.
Tessa: You are married to the lovely, Allyson Jane Bainbridge (Mrs. Riccardi), I have no doubt she is an inspiration. Does she assist at times in the creation of a design collection?
Luigi: My wife and I are both independent contractors, living and working in the same space, so we naturally have an influence on one another and like to bounce ideas off of each other. She is a luxury branding & marketing consultant and she spent many years in her previous career working with and art-directing graphic
designers, so I respect her opinion. She also does a lot of writing so she often helps me with naming my prints!
Tessa: As a designer, do you have a particular trend or trends of pattern/print that you enjoy creating most? Which ones you do not like and why?
Luigi: I like complex prints with layers and depth. I’m not a huge fan of traditional floral prints, but I do like finding interesting ways of integrating flower motifs.
Tessa: Your website, www.215Funk.com, is the place where people come to for products and services you provide... do you have any other websites that offer products and services?
Luigi: I select certain prints to be available on Patternbank: https://patternbank.com/215funk , and I also have “stores” with my designs on POD sites like:
Vida : https://shopvida.com/collections/luigi-riccardi
Society6 : https://society6.com/luigiriccardi and...
Printallover.me : https://paom.com/designer/LuigiRiccardi
Tessa: Now for the wrap up... what advice would you give to those starting out in graphic design?
Luigi: You learn by doing… it’s not enough to learn how to operate software, you have to put it to use with projects or that skill set isn’t really valuable and you lose it. I think contests are a great way to learn how to follow a brief and see what you are capable of!
Tessa: And what advice would you give to those wanting to start out in surface pattern design?
Luigi: I would say to persevere, to find your unique style, be in tune with trends and try to design for different mediums because you have to be able to adapt and reinvent yourself constantly.
Readers, make sure you check out Luigi's website at: www.215Funk.com.
Luigi, thanks plenty for sharing your time and experience with us. I am definitely looking forward to seeing more of your designs, not only on Printed Village, but in other places. Much success to you and your business in days ahead.