Ramos & Bassols Q&A

Barcelona-based Ramos & Bassols was founded in 2004 by industrial designers David Ramos and Jordi Bassols. Known for their clean-lined, contemporary take on furniture, lighting, and tableware, the boutique firm balances form, function and aesthetics in their meticulous pieces. The duo has worked with a range of prestigious European brands including Vibia, for whom they created Duo, Domo, Alpha, Plis and more. Among their many honors are the 2015 Red Dot award, 2015 iF Design award, and 2010 International Interior Design Association prize. We spoke to Ramos & Bassols to find out what inspires themā€”and what makes them crazy mad.

 

Vibia stories - Ramos & Bassols Q&A

 

When and why did you decide to go into design?

Jordi:
Ā I was always interested in and fascinated by objects, architecture, interior design, in reality it was something that came naturally.

David:
Since I was small Iā€™ve been really curious about objects, their shapes and the way that they are constructed. These little inventions have always fascinated meā€¦. (things like the spring mechanism of a clothes peg, how a plastic clip works, etc.). Day-to-day things that sometimes we donā€™t appreciate enough. I love this form / function duality. That was what made me develop my creative side with all its consequences. Later I discovered that the figure of the industrial designer was behind all these creations and thatā€™s when it became clear it was my true calling. The balance I was looking for between art and reason.

 

Where do you find inspiration when starting out with a design?

Jordi:
Normally inspiration comes along through working, it typically doesnā€™t come about through a moment of spontaneous inspiration.

David:
Rather than finding it I seek it out. Itā€™s true that on occasion there can be an accidental catalyst from which a design can come about, but more typically I start investigating all those aspects which I believe can influence the product that Iā€™m going to design. They are not always straight forward references, sometimes there are slightly tangential that I continue to explore till Iā€™ve found something solid.

 

Three adjectives that describe you

Jordi:
Tenacious, observant, methodical all of which could be considered strengths, the weaknesses Iā€™ll keep to myself.

David:
If youā€™ll allow me Iā€™ll pass on the negative aspectsā€¦ Clearly because of my profession being creative is a given so Iā€™ll mention three others that I think are relevant: Perseverant, non-conformist and without doubt too idealistic.

 

Describe your perfect escape or journey

Jordi:
A place where I can disconnect, ideally far from the crowds.

David:
In a corner of Formentera with my loved onesā€¦

 

What singer or musical group would you recommend everyone to listen to at least once?

Jordi:
Nick Cave, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.

David:
Itā€™s a difficult choice, I love music and Iā€™d be afraid of being unfair to the ones I wouldnā€™t choose. Iā€™d mention two: Ryuichi Sakamoto, Michael Nyman.

 

If you could choose a super-power what would it be?

Jordi:
The ability to put order on things spontaneously.

David:
The power of objectivityā€¦

 

What drives you crazy?

Jordi:
The lack of communication.

David:
Arrogance and the lack of empathy.

 

Something that youā€™d love to learn?

Jordi:
Languages. Speaking them makes everything easier and itā€™s something absolutely fundamental nowadays, the more and the better the easier it is to establish good communication, at play and at work.

David:
Play the piano.

 

What is the most important lesson that you have learnt in life?

Jordi:
With patience and perseverance anything in life can be achieved.

David:
That itā€™s very shortā€¦

 

A New Yearā€™s resolution for 2019 that you can share?

Jordi:
To travel with my kids, try to make time for reading, improve my English, get back to indoor climbing, the same ones I make every yearā€¦

David:
To continue being passionate about my work.