Profile: Zaniz Studio
Zaniz Studio have been shortlisted for Motor Yacht Over 80 Metres Award in The International Yacht & Aviation Awards 2022. Read more about Founder, Zaniz, below:
Name: Zaniz
Company: Zaniz Studio
Position within company: Founder
Website: www.zaniz.com Instagram: Zaniz_Ltd
Tell us a little about your background in design:
I was born in the UK, educated in Switzerland and the US. I received a BA in Interior Design from the New York School of Interior Design and then went on to work for the late Angelo Donghia, a celebrated American interior designer, in the contract design division where I was fortunate to work on some amazing projects before joining the design firm Ballantrea Inc., where within two years became the president and then a year later the company was renamed Zaniz Corp. During the 1990s, the company rose to prominence in New York’s ultra-competitive interior design world, with a string of notable clients and impressive projects. An office was then opened in the UK and subsequently in Tuscany, Italy. Now the main office is in London.
How would you describe your personal design style?
Storytelling, inventing imaginary worlds, and transforming spaces with a commitment to enhancing the human emotion while consistently pushing the boundaries of design and innovation. I love to find the tension between whimsy and rigor, refinement and rebellion, past and future and am unhampered by conventions. I am driven by my clients and employ a wide range of references – from pure play to highbrow sophistication. I love to bring magic to the real world; connecting realities and dreams.
Where does your design inspiration come from?
My greatest inspiration comes from nature followed by art, new technology and the fashion industry.
In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?
Holistic and custom tailored to the individual while respecting the environment.
Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2022 and beyond.
1. Environment
2.Sustainability
3.Individualism
4.A.I.
5.Futureproofing for new technologies.
If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design schemes, what would it be?
Be fearless and never second guess yourself.
What was your favourite project to work on and why?
Resorts for the future. It was mind expanding, provided a wonderful creative challenge and I had the opportunity to work with an amazing team of different creative disciplines.
What was your most challenging project to work on and why?
The yacht My Luminosity. It was an all-encompassing exciting project, from the first sketch to completion, incorporating a tremendous amount of R&D looking into the future.
Which products/services could you not live without when designing?
A research engine and my tape measure.
How important are The International Yacht & Aviation Awards?
They are established awards. Over the years they have developed into a recognized industry standard with a track record and reputation, creating both a benchmark and an awareness of good design within the industry.
What projects are you currently working on?
The ones I can mention are two residential projects and one for the metaverse.
What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
To create as much magic as I can and have fun doing it.
Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself and your daily inspirations:
I LOVE what I do. I aspire to learn something new every day.
Your most treasured possession?
This is a difficult one and it would have to be plural; we could begin the list with my giant Eagle sculpture in the Italian studio.
Your favourite holiday destination?
The one yet to be taken
Your favourite book, film & song?
A few of the books I like having close by: The Poetics of Space by Gaston Bachalard, Diane Ackerman’s A Natural History of the Senses and Curious by Ian Leslie.
Your favourite food and drink?
I love to have a selection of different cuisines within a week- probably a habit developed in New York. Negroni is high on the drink list after water.
Your favourite way to spend an afternoon?
Walking in a meadow of flowers. Really, do people have a favourite? I am constantly surprising myself with new things that make me happy.
If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?
A Quantum Physicist, thanks to Aidan.
Anything else interesting?
I have a passion to continually evolve and love pushing boundaries in design. I never repeat a project-each project has its own story.
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