Design and Aesthetics with Diego

In this episode with Diego Reno, I explore industrial design, which is the field of study that he is currently pursuing at NC state. In this conversation, we tackle the idea of providing solutions to problems, where Diego shares with us some of the projects that he is currently working on. In addition to studying in the US, Diego spent most of his life in Spain and pursued a study abroad program in Prague, where one of his designs was showcased in a major exhibition.

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Creators & Guests

Host

Abdullah Najjar

What is Connecting the Pack?

"Connecting the Pack" is a podcast from WKNC 88.1 FM HD-1/HD-2 that allows international students to share their unique stories and how they have ended up studying at NC State.

0:00
All right. Welcome, everybody to another episode of connecting the pack. In today's conversation, I am joined by Diego Reno. Diego is a student from Spain, who has spent some time in the Czech Republic, but he's currently studying at NC State University. Today, we're going to try to talk more about his experience back in Spain. And a little bit about the journey that he that he embarked on in the Czech Republic, as well as his his current journey here in the United States. So, Diego, welcome to the studio. Hello,

0:43
very happy to be here.

0:44
Thank you. I'm very curious to know about this sort of life that you've had. Obviously, you're, you've lived, I presume, in Spain for most of your life, but then you spent some time in the Czech Republic and then the US. So it's it's kind of a very unique experience that you've had. So I'm interested to know about your first experience abroad. That is your first independent experience. When did it start? And why did it start?

1:23
I would say it was back in ninth grade. Because I mean, I mean, I knew for a long time that I was going to come to the US. Because I do have the nationality. And just because my my grandmother was adopted by an American family. And because of that, I have the passport and my mom wanted me to come to the US. So I knew since I was very young, and back in ninth grade, and I went to Canada for a couple months. I just went to school, I stayed with the with host family. So I would say that was my first independent experience, which I guess my parents wanted me to kind of like prepare myself for what it would be to come to the US in the future.

2:14
So wow, ninth grade. Yeah, that, how long ago was that?

2:22
Then, so that's like for, like

2:26
six years, six years ago. So that was you spent a year there an academic year?

2:35
No, I spent three months, a little bit more maybe from like, the beginning of the school year until right before Christmas. So like, if I'm after,

2:47
Oh, wow. How, what was that like to be on your own in Canada, and you know, spend three months in Atlanta you've probably never visited before, it

2:57
was quite an experience. Especially because I didn't really speak a lot of English at the time. Like, I feel like that was probably what really helped me improve my, my speaking skills. Because I just like, I mean, I couldn't do anything else. I had to like communicate. It was I was scared at first, but I got too used to it. And it was a great experience. I met a lot of interesting people. And I've kind of like, got used to the lifestyle there, which it's kind of similar to the lifestyle here. And I remember by the time I had to go back, I didn't want to I want to stay for longer.

3:39
Oh, I would definitely think that that would have been my impression too. It's actually want to spend some more time in a different country or foreign land. Yeah, cuz

3:50
you go there, and then you spend the couple months like the first month you get there meeting people getting used to the classes. And then one of you already used to all of that you have like one more month and you have to go back, you know?

4:04
Yeah. So so that the second, second month or third month, that's when you think you might have just started adjusting to the situation and then you find yourself leaving. Yeah,

4:15
pretty much.

4:18
Gosh, so so that was so you go back to Spain. And how many years did you spend in Spain before you decided to go abroad?

4:31
Um, well, I've only been in the US for a little less than two years. I came. I came to the US like a week before college. Oh, wow. Yeah, like my I applied to a lot of colleges in the east coast because I wanted to be kind of closer to Spain. Him and I ended up deciding to go to NC State because they have a very good industrial design program, which is my major. And so yeah, I mean, I did didn't even get a chance to like visit the campus or anything. I just, like kind of like, like, had pictures online. And then my mom came with me. And she helped me buy everything I needed for the dorm and stuff. And then she left. And I started classes.

5:13
Oh, wow. Yeah. So you started. So your college experience was is, is here primarily in the States, but you've had an experience in Prague and the Czech Republic.

5:30
Yeah. But I went to a study abroad program, but it was during the summer, it was six weeks. Oh, wow. And I went there into a furniture making class and a photography, class

5:46
furniture and photography. Yeah, combo. I know. Right? Is that part of the industrial design that you're doing? Well, furniture

5:53
is part of industrial design, it was an elective. Okay. And then photography is not. And it was a studio Studio is a class at six credits. Yeah. And so it's such a longer class. And normally, all our studios are focusing on industrial design and making project. But we do have the opportunity to take one swing studio, which means a studio in a different subject, like I could take, like, a student graphic design or animation. So I decided to take photography, right? In I mean, it's in product like, yeah, like the way,

6:31
the place where you would probably capture the most amazing photographs. Wow. So that was for six weeks. But why? So why did you choose Prague, or even a summer program, because typically, I would imagine that people spend a fall or spring doing an exchange going on, on exchange, but maybe you can share with us why Prague and why to summer season.

7:03
And the reason why I chose the summer is probably because I already kind of feel like I'm studying abroad. So I don't really see a point of like spending a whole semester in a different country. Because that's kind of what I'm doing, but for four years, or longer. And, and the reason, I just thought it sounded very interesting, I really liked the classes that they offered, I really wanted to take like a furniture making class. And the only one that they have at stake is for grad students. So I couldn't take it. And so that was kind of the main reason. And also, because I am planning to do a co op next year. So in order to do that, I need to clear my schedule. Like I don't have to be taking any classes. Yeah. So going abroad during the summer, gave me the opportunity to do kind of like, take all the classes that I will be taking next year for like, during the semester that I want to do the co op. That

8:10
makes sense. So this is you know, what's interesting is that, before we even started recording, you pointed out, well, you know, I pointed out that you have a nice tote bag, and you told me this was from Prague. And that was, you know, I didn't I didn't know you had experienced something outside of like an exchange opportunity outside of the United States. But um, you mentioned that it had the you were there this past October, as well. Tell me more about that. What what was, what was the reason for your return to Prague in October?

8:53
Yes. So during the summer during the furniture class that I took, and we were only two students for some reason. And normally, there's usually like 10 students, but we're only 10 It was me and a grad student. And so they decided that taking advantage that we were only two people, they wanted to apply for the very important design exhibition. And so we just, they just told us that whatever we design it, and like they were going to try to make it exhibit into the extra. Oh,

9:39
okay. So they asked you guys to apply and design something that could be showcased. Yeah, exactly. Oh, so you guys applied. And you did what did you decide? We both

9:51
did a barstool. Oh, yeah. Okay. Yeah, we both did, like we were went in completely different directions like Both of Barbarossa looked completely different. I did a steel barstool, inspiring origami. Oh, and I think the other girl Her name is Emori she did a barstool inspiring nature. Wow.

10:16
So what happened to the design? Any, any feedback? Any?

10:23
It was a lot of work. And I think it was that class was more work than the six credit hour class. Really? Well. Yeah, cuz we only have six weeks in building your furniture usually takes a little more depending on what you're doing.

10:40
So it was just exhausting the amount of the workload that yeah, because

10:45
the probably like the first two or two and a half weeks, we're just ideation kind of like defatting why we wanted to do Yeah. And then we got a little bit into prototyping, which for me was a lot of like folding paper and just to try and find interesting shapes. Yeah. And then I moved on to 3d software, I use Blender to kind of like have like a kind of model their entire shape for the barstool. And then we did a scale prototype. And then for my barstool because it was made out of steel. And you have to waterjet all the parts, meaning you have to take it to a factory. And then you have to cut all the parts and then you have to use machine to bend them. Yeah, that was done after I left, just because there was not enough time. So we had to prepare all of that process kind of. And then our professor was the one who did all the work, like taking like the stuff to the factory and talking to the guys and making sure that everything was going alright, once I left. And then once we got accepted into the show, which was also after I left. Yeah, we were doing all of these, and we didn't even know if we're gonna make it to the show. Because he's very selective. So yeah. And so yeah, once we got accepted, and we were, we started talking to the university here at state schools. We tried to get them to send this back in October to be there for the exhibition. Which I thought it was gonna be harder than it was. Yeah. So yeah, we got them to pay for the flight and everything, which was awesome. So yeah, they found us there. And we've spent around a week. We Yeah,

12:40
so the so let me ask you this. How hard is it for such a design to make it into the exhibition?

12:49
It if it is pretty hard? I'm good. I am from my understanding, there's a lot of people applying. Yeah. And the only have an open affection for like, youngest signers give some of the people who are exhibiting they're very big brands, like like cars and like some very big like furniture companies. And I don't know, it's kind of a mix of everything. Yeah. I also think it really helped that. They were We were part of NC State. So they were kind of like, trying to make it look like well, like, we have a school here in Prague. And we want to show what we do here in school in Prague and like in court students who come to the US to our university, a little bit. Yeah. And they wanted to do us through our work. And so that's kind of how I think we got into it, because he also I think you also have to pay a fee to apply, right? Because if you get accepted, they give you like a spot into the exhibition. And I think you'd have to pay for that.

13:57
So let me This is fascinating, by the way, I mean, I I'm sure this is such an honorary position to be in, you know, to actually yeah, have your piece being showcased in such a prestigious exhibition. What? How, how, how does say you, that creative process usually goes for you? Or usually go for you like how do you what sort of inspires you to make such a piece? Or how maybe how long does it take to come up with? Oh, I this is how I envisioned the final product to look like. I mean, is that a consistent process? Is it does it have Is there a particular pattern to it? Or does this the idea come out of nowhere? I'm sorry, that's that question was just very kind of little bit complex, but I mean, he could just pick a piece out of it. Yeah,

15:03
no, I'm, I think that's the totally valid question, I think I think both are valid, you can just come up with a great idea and just go for it. And but also, other times, it's the whole process before you actually come up with something you can do. It also depends on what you're designing, because what we do as industrial designers is design an object that has to combine functionality, and aesthetics, you know, so there has to be a balance between an object that you can use, but also has to be appealing to the I O

15:37
functionality. And I love that. It's like, I remember. So my ex girlfriend, you know, does fashion design and they have there's a certain category of design, it's called, I think avant garde or something. And it's essentially, pieces that are not supposed to, like, they're not made for functionality. That makes sense. You know, art for the sake of art, I think is what they call it. Yeah. But you were your brand of design is has to combine both functionality and aesthetics. Exactly.

16:18
Yeah. I mean, pretty much everything, like every single object. A lot of the times there is an industrial designer behind it. Like I don't know, dude, like, the mouth. Someone had to find that, you know, yeah. Or the microphone. The microphone. Yeah. So sometimes is more engineered based. And some other times, there's a big design process behind it. You know, I think, a good example for it. It's furniture, or like cars, you know, yeah, they're both things that have to be useful and comfortable. But at the same time, the design part of it is very important, because that's what gets people to buy them a lot of times, right.

17:02
Was Was the exhibition in Prague, your first ever maybe showcase? Here?

17:08
Yeah, yeah. Well, the time it was a freshman. Yeah. Yeah. No, I know. Yeah. It was, like, looking back at it. I'm still thinking like, wow, like, I cannot believe I got something like that. Yeah, I got very lucky that I had the chance. Wow,

17:25
that that is? Well, this is a question I forgot to ask. But this is, I think, an important question ask, When did this whole, you know, passion for industrial design start out? Or how did it start?

17:38
It's a funny story, I would say. Because I didn't find out about industrial design. Until maybe a couple months before I applied, I applied to NC State. Yeah. Because I didn't know what I wanted to do. So I was kind of looking at different majors have sounded interesting to me. And then I ran into industrial design. It was like, wow, like, That sounds very cool. So I kind of, I've always been like an artistic person. Yeah. But I didn't know about the major itself, like, until right before applying. So even before I came here, I didn't actually know if I was going to like it. Because I never had an experience, like being at a shop, like cutting wood and metal, and like, 3d printing and looking at all of different products and thinking, what's the manufacturing process behind all of that, you know? And so, I don't know, I just, I just thought it sounded interesting. And I came here, and I really liked it. I love it. Like, I know, that's for sure. My passion. And I think I got very lucky that I was able to find something that I like so much. Like, in such a spontaneous way.

18:59
So tell me more about some of the pieces that you may have designed before, throughout your program of study, other than the one that was exhibited? Was there one piece that you you're maybe very proud of, or a piece that speaks to you in a way? Some piece that is considered significant? I mean, how is that? Is that Is it common for you maybe to design every semester or what's what's what can you tell me about that?

19:26
For usually every semester, we do projects in our studio class. And it depends on the semester, but I feel usually the normal amount is three projects. Three

19:39
projects, yeah, it's considered heavy, or No, I

19:44
think that's a good amount. It depends on what you're designing to, you know, if it's the more simple object, it might not, it might not take as long. If it's the more complex object in there's more research behind that or maybe More mechanics, kind of like say it. And it might take longer. For example, the semester, we done planned growing system, plant drawing system growing system growing. And so I did like a self watering plant. I thought hoarding pot to grow plants at home. And we did a pet toy. And now we're doing some sort of different project where we're defining for a classmate. And I'm doing a coffee filter,

20:44
a coffee filter. I know. Yeah. So what stage of development? Is it this coffee filter?

20:51
So I'm the problem was basically what we had to do for this project is there pairs with a classmate and the classmate has to give us a problem that they have. And we have to design something that solves that problem. No, because that's kind of the idea of industrial design, create objects that solve a problem. Wow. And so he uses a French press to make coffee. And it lives in a very small apartment. So he, every time he makes coffee, he, you know, all the grounds that are left at the bottom of the French press. Yes. So you're supposed to throw those into the trash can, but they're wet. So the trash can ends up leaking. That's true. So he ends up throwing them to the sink. But you're not supposed to do that, you know, so he wanted something that would either help him to kind of drain the coffee grounds, or clean the the French breath in a more easy way. Some kind of the same designing filter or a strainer that goes into the bottom of the French breath where you just pour the ground. And then once you're done, you kind of like taking it out to trainer, and then you throw the coffee grounds into the trash can.

22:11
Wow, I am. Honestly I'm in awe. This project, I feel like I'm like a like it like a kid in a candy shop, you know, really fascinated by this. So there are problems I think you might not even be aware of. But you are you, you know someone tells you about them? And then maybe you think about oh, how can I fix it? Yeah, exactly. And there, I'm sure there are problems that you are already aware of. And you are thinking about fixing them? Yeah,

22:49
yeah. Yeah.

22:51
So do you does it feel like you might be under a lot of pressure, because you're just there's so much so many things you want to, you know, provide a solution to, but it's just, there isn't enough time in the day.

23:07
To provide a solution, I have a list in my phone of like ideas that I have of projects that I would like to do, which I plan to do in the future, but I just don't have time right now, you know, because I'm doing my studio projects. And then on my free time, I'm always doing some sort of like, personal project, which are usually small, because I cannot invest a lot of time into them, you know, but when I have an idea for something that I would love to do, but it would take a lot of time I just write it down because I know I'm not gonna have time to do it right now.

23:38
Tell me about an idea or a problem that you're working on right now that it could be small scale could be large scale. In addition to the this this this coffee grounds, yeah, sure.

23:52
I can tell you a project, a personal project I'm working in right now. And then I can tell you like another idea that I have in my phone to give you an example of like, something that I would like to do, but I know that I like don't have the resources or literature right now. Yes. So for example, right now, I'm making a hanger out of metal and fire defy the grip. I have. We have Do you know there's a shop here and on campus?

24:18
Yeah, they have a creepy I think mannequin standing. Like, it's like, oh,

24:25
no, but but that's the studio. You're in Lampi lamb drive? I think so. Yes. Yeah. The food you know, you know, unbelievable. I think so. It's in front of the parking in next to South Hall.

24:40
I think I recognize the SAS Hall. Yes. Yeah. And then there's like the coffee shop.

24:45
Yeah, yeah. Yeah. If you go up that road is like that building right there. Okay. And so there is a shop there with a bunch of tools which read metal and wood. And it's crazy. You if you've never been there you should.

24:59
I should definitely You visit. Yeah. And you can show me all your toys. I'm just kidding. But yeah, so what were you saying about the hanger? Yeah.

25:07
So I have these stainless steel plates there. And so I had this idea where I could just cut a flat pattern, and then I can fold the plate into a hanger. Oh, and so I was trying to do that. Also, like it was, it's a project that I'm doing kind of to get more familiar with working with metal. And because I have to cut the stainless steel in, I might have to do some, what's it call them? Sometimes I just forget the word. It's all right. When you're like joining metal with Oh,

25:46
fusing, I think fusion.

25:51
And he's not soldering it's,

25:53
yeah. Yeah, it's, it's, I recognize, I recognize what it is and the description of it, I recognize maybe the word I don't really have at the tip of my tongue. But so essentially, it's that process that you want to familiarize yourself with.

26:13
Exactly, yeah, so I just have this very simple design. And it was kind of an opportunity for me to use those metal plates that I have and get into the shop and just cut them and experiment with different equipment that they have in there. And so for example, and the the metal of the material of the plates is stainless steel. And the problem with stainless steel is that a lot of the machines in the shop cannot cut it, because it's very hard. Yeah. And so I thought, well, like they also have these tool, which is the waterjet, which basically, cuts can pretty much cut into anything with water into a lot of like, it's the water into a lot of pressure. And you just you just put a file into the machine and the machine cuts there. Do you think water doesn't make sense?

27:02
Yeah, it's the pump of the water is so strong that yeah, cut through this? Yeah,

27:07
yeah. So then I thought about doing that. But the problem is that the waterjet that they have here can only cut something that is 12 by 12 inches, okay. And my flat pattern was bigger than that. So I had to find another way. And then I ended up using jigsaw to kind of cut the flat pattern. And then I had to use like a file to like, solve the edges. Yeah. And then I don't know, I took that lead pattern. And then there's a cutaway in the middle of the plate for the hook. And I'm going to do that part with a water jet. So now I'm waiting for the guy in the shop to do it for me. And then once that is done, after use machine school, a press brake to bend the metal. And that's gonna be it.

27:56
And when do you think you will have a final product?

28:01
It really depends. When when they are able to cut the the hook for the for the flight pattern that I have. Because once I have that he's just folding it into into the hangar, which which shouldn't take more than an hour probably.

28:18
And where would you hang it?

28:22
Well, it's a hanger for clothes. Oh, it's

28:24
a hanger for clothes. Okay.

28:26
Yeah, I didn't. I wasn't specific enough. Maybe. Yeah,

28:30
I thought it was the thing that you post on on the wall or maybe attached to wall, then? Yeah, I was under the No, I think you maybe I made a mistake of thinking out that way. But yeah, I understand the one that you're referring. Yeah. Yeah, that's it's my mistake. But but so this is, is that the person the work the project? That is the personal project that you're working on? Yeah,

28:56
that's a personal project that I'm working on. Yeah. Like, just on my free time whenever I want to.

29:01
Oh, and there's you mentioned another one that is I think that yeah, I think part of the course that you're taking the coffee filter? Yeah. So you mentioned earlier, like a personal there's like a small scale or large scale.

29:17
Yeah, that was like this mole scale one. I just sorry, I didn't mean to confuse you. And I just mentioned in the way that this will be a small project, if it's something that I can do in a couple of weeks with the materials that I have. Oh, wow. And then I just wanted to give you an example of like another idea that I have, but it's something more complex that I just cannot do because it involves a lot of like, more research and technology and resources that I don't have, right. It's just an idea of something that maybe I would like to do in the future. But it's not something I can do right now. Yeah, that doesn't make sense.

29:55
It makes it makes a lot of sense. Let me let me see if I can we can explore this this subject here together? Do you when you take a break from the work that you do? What is it that you resort to to maybe clear your head? Or just to kind of detach yourself from a project that you're working on? Like, what? What is it? What is the the activity that you do to perhaps maybe feel to maybe regenerate? Or to kind of clear your head in a way? I would love to know more about that, because it seems like work is overwhelming. Like, there's just constantly are projects? And you don't even know if you take breaks? Well?

30:45
I do I do. It depends. It depends on the part of the year because sometimes I'm just very busy. And then we'll have a lot of times, other times, I have more time to kind of like, enjoy myself and like more hang like, hang out with my friends. Yeah. And I feel like I'm a pretty simple person. I don't do anything special. I feel like in my free time, I usually try to hang out with my friends have like some friends over for like a drink or like, maybe playing video games or Yeah. And watching a movie. A lot of the time, a lot of my free time also goes into hanging out with my girlfriend. Right? Takes a lot of time. Yeah. And I feel like that's pretty much it. I used to go to the gym last semester, but I just don't have not yet last semester. I just don't have time this semester for that. So I just kind of had to like, prioritize what I think it's more important. And what's going to make me more happy. Yeah. And so yeah, I feel like whenever I'm not doing schoolwork, or working on a personal project, either usually hang out with my girlfriend, my friends. I like to watch movies on my own too. And what else? I like to play soccer sometimes.

32:13
Yeah, I think it's a big thing in Europe. No, I it's also a big thing in the region that I come from then the Middle East and North Africa. But, you know, when it comes to industrial design, in general, is there? Is that something that you would think people from your country? It's a field of study that people generally gravitate toward? Or would you consider yourself? Maybe? Not? It's not it's not part of the, you know, typical field of study that people or Spanish people usually?

32:55
I would say, if not, I think industrial design is a pretty new major. Even here, it's a very small major, where my class is only 20 people. Oh, yeah. And, and I know, some universities do offer it, and the program, but it's very different. From what we do here. I know, I know, a girl. And I think she's a junior Institute and exchange student from Spain to wow. And she's she's doing industrial design, too. But from what she was telling me, the program in Spain is divided into two parts. So the first two years of engineering and the other two years define. Wow, yeah, it's so different from what is

33:45
Yeah. So they combine they don't combine the idea of aesthetics and functionality from the get go. So maybe early on, it's all about structure.

33:56
Yeah, exactly. Okay. Well, I think that's the way the program is built there. I also know then, because the program is so new, it's not really defined in the way that when I was looking at different other programs at different universities in the States, in some universities, that program, it's a Bachelor of Science, and another is a Bachelor of Arts or design. So I guess it kind of depends where you go.

34:27
So is there someone in that field or in the design world that maybe inspires you or you look up to or maybe you consider like an idol of some sort? I mean, you've been in the design sphere from you know, before even started college, right? Like you said you'd like maybe art or design. Yeah, so was there someone a character that you really thought well, wow, this is uh, I wish I could maybe be like that person or, you know, I wish I could maybe mimic some of their work. I wonder if there's someone out there that you think is worth?

35:05
Yeah, but it's I feel like it's more people that I get to know personally that just like people I don't know, like, I don't know. Sorry. For example, my, my professor from Prague, the one from the furniture class, he's only a part time professor, I think he only teaches you during the summer. And then for the rest of the year, he has his own company, see, like, works for you, for other clients. And he has his own project, like at the design block, which is a name for the design exhibition in Prague. He was also exhibiting his own thing. I know. And he has done a lot of cool stuff. And it really, I felt like I had a chance to like, look a little bit into the life of someone that is successful, into the, into the industry. And I really admire what he does. And I think it's very cool. And I kind of like in some way I kind of like, look up to him. You know, I think he has a very cool portfolio. He has a very distinctive and creative way of define things and think about what he wants to do.

36:17
That's, that's incredible. I want to I want to thank you for walking me through this wonderful sort of design world that you're immersed in. This is not something that I very, very familiar with, but I enjoy talking to people about and I'm very intrigued by the things that you've done in a project that you're working on. So really thank you for for joining me and having this conversation course.

36:40
It was a pleasure to be here. Absolutely.

Transcribed by https://otter.ai