新星设计师 Marco Campardo | 探索工业设计与传统工艺的融合

Nominated by Barber Osgerby, the London-based designer Marco Campardo is the 2023 winner of the Design Museum’s Ralph Saltzman Prize, created by Lisa Saltzman on behalf of the Saltzman Family Foundation to celebrate emerging product designers. Campardo studied industrial design at IUAV University in Venice, where lecturers such as Michele De Lucchi and Tobia Scarpa gave him the deep historical understanding of design that he credits as crucial to his practice. Campardo’s work will be on display at the Design Museum until 3 April.

Marco Campardo

Marco Campardo

What inspires you? After his recent passing, I started reading Enzo Mari’s books again, like Progetto e Passione (Design and Passion). Mari’s theory about ‘Il significato della forma’ (the meaning of form) still inspires me every time I develop a new project.

How do you feel about winning the Saltzman Prize? I am extremely grateful and would like to thank the Design Museum and Lisa Saltzman for making it all possible. It is recognition that even approaches that sit outside of what may be considered conventional industrial design can be valued.

‘Jello, 2022’ shelving unit Marco Campardo

What does having Barber Osgerby’s support mean to you? The fact that my work has been noticed by one of the most successful design practices in the world is a huge recognition and gives me courage on those days where my experiments may fail and I am unsure of what I’m doing – it means I am heading in the right direction.

Tell us about your practice... I am interested in exploring how a more niche craft-based production may fit within the wider industrial context.

His ‘Sugar Shapes, 2019’ vase Marco Campardo

What materials do you like to work with? I like to work with different materials, even though I’m a bit scared of glass and ceramics as they require a whole new level of knowledge for me. Currently my interest is working with different types of resin and rethinking the meaning of a mould.

What part does sustainability play in your practice? Reading Cradle to Cradle [by German chemist Michael Braungart and US architect William McDonough] inspired me to create a sustainable shopping display titled ‘Reversible’ for Selfridges that can be completely deconstructed to its original components after use. Expanded clay is bound together with sugar to form sculptures that can be dissolved with water.

Campardo’s work on display at Selfridges Marco Campardo

What’s the best part of the design process? The luxury of being allowed to make mistakes. It could be because there is a lack of knowledge or skills, or a sign that what you are trying to do is ‘experimental’ so the results are unpredictable, and, with luck, it might be that you’ll discover something new.

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