Francesco Bertelli
Francesco is a Design Director living in NYC, and currently working for Huge Inc. Brooklyn
My name is Francesco Bertelli, I'm a Product Design Director at Huge Inc., Brooklyn. Originally from Italy, I ran my own studio in Milan from 1999 to 2007, working with several Italian brands, including Tod’s, Rizzoli and digital newspapers Corriere della Sera. Before joining Huge, I worked at The New York Times and was earlier an Interactive Director at Mucca Design.
10 questions for Francesco Bertelli:
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What did you do before becoming a designer/developer?
My very first job was as a photography assistant in Milan because I was sure I wanted to be photographer on the path of Ralph Gibson.So I started working with many photographers which, by chance, ultimately needed a website more than me to loading their Mamiya and that's how I started learning to design and build website.
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Where do you turn for inspiration?
I talk to people. I use a lot of apps and wesbites and I definitely don't rely on long hikes or old italian movies for an answer.
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Which are your favorite studios, designers or agencies?
Bret Victor (MIT), Jason Fried (37signals), David Kelley (Ideo)
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Who do you side with: Team Mac or Team PC?
I team with whoever provides the best experience. Today's Apple. Tomorrow who knows.
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Is your city a good place for designers?
NYC it is the best city for a designer.Constant friction generates energy.Which fuels the daydream.
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Which technologies are you excited about?
I'm actually truly fascinated by the DNA of technology: algorithms.
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How many hours do you work each week?
I rarely work. I constantly play with my skills. Weekends included.
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Do you listen to music while you work? Describe your playlist.
I don't. I used to play in a band for many years since I was 19. When we disbanded I stopped listening music. Don't ask me why because I don't know. I'm a fanatic for what I do now so I have no space for any other entertainment than my ideas. It's called post-traumatic Reverse Stockholm Syndro-fenia.
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What is your favorite book?
I love books of books. One of my favorite is The Photobook by Martin Parr.If the question was about novels, anything by Michel Houellebecq.
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What is your favorite sport?
I love design bicycles, not necessarily cycling. Is that a sport?
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Tell us your funniest anecdote related to your work
One time, I presented for an hour to a client on Skype, without realizing, that on the whiteboard behind by back there was a drawing of a Dr. Slump's character called Poop. Apparently the client had great knowledge about mangas; and sense of humor.
