Nicholas Mastrogiacomo

IED Roma

Product Design, Year 2

23 years old

Ceccano (Frosinone), Italy

Schools have been among the first institutions to adapt to the new measures of quarantine. What are the pros and cons of online classes? 

I think that confrontation is the key in any design school. This process is much easier when you live inside of their creative hub, being in contact with professionals and students. Online classes have not this physical approach and become more like a challenge, especially for the students who have to struggle to express their ideas.

The Fashion and Design Industries have been aggressively afflicted by the COVID-19 emergency. As a consumer, but also as a future insider of those systems, what will be the worst consequences of this crisis? 

I don't want to be pessimistic, so I will say that the history of design teaches us that it is in the nature of men to reinvent themselves and to adapt to always new circumstances. I think that, once this never ending time of difficulty will be finally over, we will find new ways to start again: creativity and design never stop.

Your work is built on creativity. Where do you find your inspiration in this moment?

I think that the only answer lays on some words by Achille Castiglioni: “If you are not curious, just give up.” When you have no hints outside of your home, it is hard to keep being focused and in times like these the only solution is to be curious. Not that it is not like that in normal times, I'm just saying that now it is fundamental: avoid to stop, even for a little time, the creative process in your mind. For example, reading can help. My favorite magazine are Domus, Dezeen, Abitare, Elle Decor, Vogue.