A behind the scenes look at the creative process of Marcel Wanders studio with Gabriele Chiave [Creative Director, Marcel Wanders] and Elena Manferdini [Principal, Atelier Manferdini/SCI-Arc Graduate programs Chair]. Manferdini and Chiave discuss the role of historical references, material research, and digital technology in the studio’s work. Chiave reflects on the role of community in the creative process and the future of design as a more ethical and sustainable practice.

Creative director, Gabriele Chiave, brings a wealth of diverse professional and personal experience to Marcel Wanders. Having grown up and lived in several places around the world – from Africa to South America to Europe – Gabriele approaches design with a different perspective. This has created in him a passion to bring open-mindedness into what he creates. Before arriving at Marcel Wanders studio, Gabriele studied in Milan at Italian design schools that are rooted in industrial design heritage from the 1960s. He worked at Marc Saddler Studio where he immersed himself in the functionality of Italian design. These skillsets have contributed to shape his vision of design, which has further expanded by working closely with Marcel Wanders, from whom he learned a mentality that is strongly rooted in humanism, in an understanding of design as art and celebration of craftsmanship of past ages. Gabriele is greatly inspired by art, his love of photography and fashion which he brings to the role of Creative Director leading our design teams to design beautiful things that uplift the human spirit. www.marcelwanders.com

Elena Manferdini, principal and owner of Atelier Manferdini, has twenty years of professional experience in architecture, art, design, and education. Elena currently teaches at the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc) and is the Graduate Programs Chair. In 2019 Manferdini was honored with the ICON Award as part of the LA Design Festival, which is a prize that recognizes iconic women who have made an indelible mark on Los Angeles, culture, and society in general through their work, character, and creative leadership. With a body of work that spans art, architecture, exhibitions, and industrial design, her eponymous atelier has created work on over three continents. She refuses to be defined by mere métier and continues fearlessly to adventure further on her creative path while pushing the boundaries of multiple design disciplines. Her work is characterized by interplay, chromatic complexity, and diversity. Elena Manferdini loves art, creativity, inventions and deeply believes in the positive power of education and creative collaboration.

Crew Credits:

Production:
Creator and Executive Producer - Hernán Díaz Alonso
Producers - Marcelyn Gow/Reza Monahan

Post-Production:
Story Producer - Marcelyn Gow
Editors - Dan Tundis/Reza Monahan
VFX Coordinator - Sean Morris
Sound Mixing Engineer - Christina Nguyen

Soundtrack by Sara Johanne and Jason Breeden

Additional Images Courtesy of Gabriele Chiave and Marcel Wanders

©2020 SCI-Arc Channel