Interview with the team of Pianofuzz

Published by Leonardo Calcagno

Who are you :

We are the Pianofuzz, wich is formed currently by a team of 4: Rafael Botti, Edmarlon Semprebon, Maikon Nery and Heitor Kimura. We’ll answer the questions together, each one giving its opinion.

Your current job :

We are all graphic designers, who share tasks and projects. We do believe in the collective work. Each one has its preferences and areas of expertise, some like more of illustration, other works with branding, graphic interfaces, interactive design, etc.

In which city are you located?

We are in Londrina, a country town, based in southern Brazil.

A word to define what kind of worker you are :

Everyone here is looking to have a true production, professional and creative, combining own personal satisfaction with consistent results according to the expectations of our clients. We are questioners and seek escape from the obviousness.

What tools are essential to your life (app, software, etc..)

We do not work without music, coffee and daily debates on relevant topics or not. We could even say that these are our essential tools.

To create projects sometimes we use analogical materials such as collages from magazines, photocopies, photographs and handmade compositions, but usually we have a more digital production, which basically uses Adobe CC apps. We also use Google Drive, Skype, Sublime Text, BROffice, etc.

What does your office space look like?

We currently have a minimalistic space. It is something we plan to evolve over time. This is the third office occupied since the beginning of the studio and we are here almost two years.

What kind of music do you listen when you are working ?

This is a difficult question to answer, we hear several types of music. We are in 4 people and everyone has the freedom to add with own cultural references. We appreciate this diversity! Anyway, there is a certain preference for the Brazilian production of 60 and 70 and also the rock of all ages, nationalities and possible classifications – from classics to current bands. There’s plenty of room for jazz and classical music as well.

Do you have a way to organize your day to maximize your work ?

We try to have more fixed schedules, so normally all are together during their work. There isn’t a daily schedule, but we use the early hours of the morning to discuss important issues and let the afternoon period for the creation and development of projects.

What tips would you give to improve productivity ?

Organization and dialogue are the key. You can lose days organizing a project in order to save weeks. Think and design how something will be produced is important for the process, organically and naturally, without unnecessary setbacks. The dialogue is important because it helps us to have different views and solutions to certain problems, making it possible to expand the possibilities.

You’re better than your colleagues to :

As previously commented everyone here has a predilection for some kind of work or task. Moreover, each has its own qualities and seeks to apply the same in the best possible way…

The Edmarlon for example has the best relationship with technology. Maikon Nery directs the most creative and authoral projects of the studio with great ease to create collages and unusual illustrations.

Rafael can act in all kinds of quality design project and is usually who takes care of the general organization while Hector is great with projects involving logic and more refined concepts – has a strong interest in philosophical studies, which contributes to the quality of his work.

What is the best advice anyone has given you ?

I do not remember where we heard from or who spoke to us; but this question reminded me of two tips: Good design starts with the right questions. The second talks about the importance of saying NO to some projects and clients.

Experience is our real learning. It is important to know the rules of the game to have the awareness of what game you want to participate. This kind of thinking results in your positioning and converses with your view about the world.

What is your best tip for saving time ?

Try to understand the project you will develop before starting work. Make a detailed briefing and a good research to define how things will happen. Moreover, as I said earlier, get organized and and make good planning of it.

What is your routine start and end of the day ?

We usually start at 8:30 a.m. with a coffee and a brief meeting agenda, checking the email of the day and what needs to be done. Each carries out its activities until noon, when we stop for lunch.

Sometimes we have lunch together in the nearest restaurants, sometimes not, depending on the commitments. We are back to work at 1 p.m, and keep with the current projects and meetings when necessary. We usually work until 18:30 , but it is common to extend. I think we all like to go home with the feeling that the duties of the day were done.