Interview with Nuno Corte-Real – Designer at Delightfull

Lighting design brand Delightfull does not seize to amaze with their unique and sophisticated designs. From intricate suspension lamps, to sculptural wall sconces, the brand seems to be taking the industry by storm. Designer Nuno Corte-Real known for the Atomic Lamps and Graphic Collection, shares insight into his background, and what inspires his designs.

Image © Delightfull

Your brief introduction.

Hello, my name is Nuno Corte-Real, 27, I’m a Portuguese Product Designer and am currently working for Delightfull.

Please make a brief description of your designing style.

My design style… that is something I should probably think about more. I try to impose on the project as little as possible. I let the ends and means lead me through the design process. I try to arrive at decisions instead of making them, I try to minimize where I can and ease the burdens of everyone involved in the larger process that it takes to get a product into the hands of our clients, especially in production.

Image © Delightfull

Your growing background, the past experience and your hobby.

I had a really good childhood, living in a small town, a lot of hours spend outside playing with friends. My father is an architect and my mother was a teacher. I started out wanting to become an architect like my father, but then I discovered design I got hooked. Before I got into college, I was already reading into design blogs and books, learning the tools of the trade so to speak. After I finished college and got my degree, we were at the peak of the economic crisis, it was hard for me to get a job in design. I kept my skills sharp by participating in various design competitions and doing some freelance work. I got my first real chance at Delightfull. It’s been a year now and I have released many pieces, some of them making a huge success, like the Coltrane table, atomic suspension and the graphic collection.

I don’t have a “real” hobby, although I have had many of them, especially games when I was a kid. Nowadays we could say that bike riding is my hobby, I do it every day when I go to work, and I make it my main mode of transportation around town. Keeps me and my wallet in shape.

Image © Delightfull

To become a really good designer, what qualities and talents can be need in your opinion?

It depends on what field you work in. I know designers that lack computer skills and do very well. But, in my opinion, to be really good, you need to know at least a bit of everything for a solid foundation for growth, you need to know how to work with everyone involved in the project and you need to take risks and make mistakes. Also, be positive.

What are the features of your design work? What is the source of your design inspiration?

For inspiration, I try to constantly update my visual culture, my knowledge of technology, science and arts. You can lot on every project if you ask questions.

Image © Delightfull

Who is your appreciated designer? Why is he or she?

My favorite designer is probably Ross Lovegrove. I admire the purity of his work and his essentialist design philosophy.

What do you think about the function of color in your work?

Color theory is very interesting. Color only exists in our heads, you know, every photon that gets in your eyes is just like any other. But we have evolved to see all these colors out of a tiny range of the electromagnetic spectrum. Through time we have instinctively associated certain colors and patterns to certain emotions and reactions. So when I play with color I try to use what I know to understand what I feel and create the emotions and reactions that I seek to produce out of my audience. Or so I try… Be seduced by the golden wall lamp Parker, a stilnovo sconce full of jazz groove. Its sophisticated golden brass tubes will light up the finest restaurants, lobbies & contemporary settings. Handmade golden tubes were carefully joined together in order to achieve a piece ready to finish the most demanding projects. The different finishes that can be applied in this piece attributes to interior designers the power to be part of a personal and a different experience.

Image © Delightfull

*All images and information courtesy of Delightfull.