Louis Filosa
Industrial Designer
San Francisco, California
Industrial Designer
San Francisco, California
Behind the Scenes
Q & A
What is your design philosophy?
Design is about people. Whether it's about making something easier to use, eliciting an emotion, or drawing inspiration from trends, it's all about people. People are my north star in every design project, supported by my past experience and willingness to challenge norms.
Tell us about some previous design work that you are proud of?
A few years ago, I was asked to design an ADA-compliant desk for a hotel room. There were many strict guidelines to follow to enable persons with disabilities to easily navigate a small hotel room, but still have a desk. It was realized as a wall-mounted flip-down desk that ended up being used in all rooms within the hotel. It was later mass-produced under the furniture brand CB2. It's a great example of how designing for people on the fringes can actually work for everyone.
What led you to become a designer?
I was raised by my father, an engineer, and have a passion for art. Design, for me, is the overlap between these two things, driven by problem solving in meaningful and beautiful ways.
Design is the gatekeeper to a successful product.