José Manuel Ferrero – estudi{H}ac – Valencia, Spain
Men{H}ir Bathroom line – L´Antic Colonial, Casta Chair-Sancal, Marquis-Vondom, Estado Puro Restaurant_Hard Rock Hotel Ibiza, Cheese Bar Poncelet-Melia hotels
1- Who is José Manuel Ferrero?
I am an industrial designer who creates product and interior designs for companies and clients who have the same passion for offering the world projects that provide elegance and wonder in their ensemble. My premise is to create Tailored Design Projects.
2 – When did you discover that you wanted to work in design?
Just like my admired literary character Mr. Phileas Fogg, I have traveled through many countries that have filled me with experiences, making me more vital and receptive to the details that I later apply to my projects. I am particularly influenced by England, I have always been attracted by its style, culture, humor, and above all, by its nature, conservative and transgressive at the same time. The great admiration I feel for the tailors from the famous Savile Row Street, and my passion for detail – a methodology that always has been used in these garment shops – have resulted in a very personal work approach. The utmost care for shapes, the selection of materials and textures, make each project that I have in mind respond to custom-made elegance as my personal seal.
3 – A reference in design…
Phileas Fogg, literary character created by Verne, is the figure that has influenced me the most. The great risk that the eccentric English gentleman takes on when he decides to bet everything on a dream that he believes in so strongly, is a great inspiration for me. Reliability, punctuality, and boldness allow Fogg to be able to see his objective carried out. The creativity and wit of the main character of Around the World in Eighty Days is a fundamental part of my creative process, with which I seek in an agile way, ideas that lead to a good project. Just like Mr. Fogg, methodical and organized, the essential requirements to be able to draw up a travel route plan, I develop each project following a work plan and execution of each phase with methodology and professionalism.
As a real reference in the world of design and fashion, I am very much interested in the work at the branding level of my other great admired English character, Paul Smith.
4 – If you had not been a designer, you would have been…
I don’t know, but surely it would have much to do with the creative world.
5 – One defect and one virtue.
Taking to the limit my passion for design, the implementation details of each project… and all very orderly.
6 – What is your house like?
At the moment it is in the definition process; as soon as I have some time, I am sure it will begin to take shape. Many of the designs that during these 10 years I have developed for the fantastic companies that I have worked with are already living in it, together with other pieces that have always fascinated me and I have liked to have.
7 – Sunday is a day for…
If possible, disconnecting from the intense work pace and enjoying my family.
8 – A place to look for inspiration.
On any trip that I make, in magazines, books, or music that cross my path.
9 – What is the last book that you have read?
I’m reading the book that Sir Paul Smith published in his last exhibition at the Design Museum in London.
10 – 15 Years from now…
Having managed for estudi{H}ac to exist and to continue developing the projects it has in mind. I dream of working for the firms I have always admired for their work methodology, quality, and way of communicating. I want to be able to provide the differentiation point that my work determines, to create projects that will amaze and that are commercial at the same time.
11 – When you think of design you think of…
Many things, we are surrounded by design.
12 – Pencil or computer?
A combination of the two. The creative phase with pencil and the technical one with computer.
13 – How would you describe your work?
I look for simplicity and elegance in shapes, but always giving a twist with the finishes, textures, colors… A good selection of the material or the texture in a design, both for products and Interiors, transforms them into something astonishing. The thorough and exhaustive work with which I develop each project makes a fantastic end result.
Each project has a story behind it, and I work to transmit it.
14 – One project you would like to do.
A comprehensive hotel project.
15 – Your opinion of Spanish design.
No one will stop us. We have proven it, and both the great designers and the Spanish companies are increasingly giving much to talk about in the world of design.
16 – How do you keep your own style while meeting your customers’ needs?
That’s a secret! Each one has their own secret formula.
17 – In your work, what are you better at and what do you have more trouble with?
There are many phases in each project, and although you always have to know how to delegate with the team that works with you, I like to try to get involved in every detail and process phase of each project.
18 – Your recipe for success.
Try to be honest.
19 – What is the role of natural products in your projects?
It is one of the starting points for each of them. Each natural product that is introduced into a project already just in itself provides the strength and quality that I always try to introduce in each of our projects.
20 – Your flagship L’Antic Colonial product is…
Without hesitation MEN{H}IR!
