GIVI Magazine - Novembre 2017

ENGLISH TEXT We met Manuel Franzan, a designer renowned for his work in the motorcycle industry and who has been collaborating with GIVI for many years. We asked him to tell us about his work history and his point of view on the motorcycle industry. Hi Manuel, before we start the interview ... are you a biker? “Yes….Absolutely!” Can you briefly tell us how you become a designer and how is your studio currently structured? “I could say that I became a designer by chance; I had studied graphic design and then found myself living near the Dainese Headquarters. I was contacted and asked to become part of the Dainese Graphic and Style Department and from there, my journey began.” Do you still use pen and paper or is everything born out of a computer? “The computer is an exceptional tool but has a pro- found “ ignorance”; I think that it is used to transform ideas that are in the head, ideas that, as far as I am concerned, are born first with paper and pencil and only later are entrusted to a computer. “ What are the ways that allow you to be accredited in the world of two-wheels? “It is quite difficult to answer this question. After 18 years of working in this field, I can say that passion plays a crucial role. Recognition of your work is an- other useful tool to gain professional credit. Winning helps you win. “ You started in the Dainese Style Department and if I remember, you also had the role of Commercial Director at Mtech. How long have you been collabo- rating with our group? “I have been working collaboratively with the GIVI group for six years.” If I am not mistaken, your area of specialty involves clothing and helmets. For the GIVI group you have worked and continue to do so with great involvement on the HEVIK brand. How do you connect cables with accessories? “Accessories are a key part of the world of the two wheels, facilitating the biker’s approach to both travel and daily use, so they require great commitment and attention to keep pace with the times and demands of the market”. The previous question is tied to the fact that this article will feature in the GIVI MAGAZINE and consequently, beyond helmets, we would like to know more about the potential of quality design on products such as side cases, top cases, screens, bags etc “GIVI definitely has all it takes to maintain its position as world leader in its industry. The world of two-wheels is continuously changing, so today we have begun to talk about a “power unit” instead of an engine, but even if the motorcycle of the near future incorporates hybrid or electric propulsion, the accessory will always have an extremely important function, even with regard to the aesthetic characterisation of the vehicle. “ During your career you have receivedmany awards. Which of these awards has left the greatest mark? “Certainly, the first acknowledgment I received: the award I received for innovation from Motorcycle Magazine in 2009 for the design of the first folding backpack, Level 2 certified, which can be accommo- dated in a scooter box.” What exactly does the Association for Industrial Design, of which you are part, deal with? “ADI deals with managing and bringing together all the designers in the design field in Italy, as well as protecting the originality of the work, which is increasingly abused in the most desperate ways by being plagiarised and imitated.” Is there an idea that you have not yet been able to realise? “Here in the studio we have ideas that we would like to use in the 2019/2020 collection but I cannot anticipate anything, if I revealed them to you I would have to kill you...” What are the products that have given you the most satisfaction and which ones stimulate you the most? “If we are talking about products outside of the motorcycling field, I have been very pleased with the soccer gloves especially designed for some of the major goalkeepers involved in the premier leagues of various countries.” What is your way of understanding security? “My view is that we must start from an active and not from a passive security conception, that there must be a culture and education on how to live on the road, respecting all other users. Without this awareness, any form of passive security is useless: relying on mechanical or technological elements can be counterproductive when human stupidity persists. “ In the world of motorcycles and cars the Italian designers have an extra edge? Is that so? Why? “There are many professionals around the world in our field, for example, the Koreans and our Scandinavian colleagues, but Italians have always had that extra push from our background that does not require any further explanation; Bear in mind that in Italy, there is the highest percentage of the world’s artistic heritage, so we have a natural aesthetic sense.” STYLE FRANZAN-DESIGN captions 1) ABOVE, THE “ATELIER” CORNER OF THE STUDIO; BELOW, ANALYSING THE PROPOSED GRAPHICS FOR A GIVI FULL-FACE HELMET. 2) MANUEL FRANZAN ENGAGED WITH HIS COLLEAGUES DISCUSSING THE COLOUR CHOICE FOR AN ONGOING PROJECT. 3) THREE STAFF MEMBERS. ABOVE MIRIAM FRANZAN (DESIGNER); IN THE CENTRE ROBERTA SCHITTONE (GRAPHIC DESIGNER) AND BELOW SOFIA MUNARI (DESIGNER). Written by Mario Frati, Giampaolo Meda Photo Mario Frati 3) TRE COLLABORATRICI DELLO STAFF. IN ALTO, MIRIAM FRANZAN (DESIGNER); AL CENTRO, ROBERTA SCHITTONE (GRAFICA), SOTTO, SOFIA MUNARI (DESIGNER). GIVI Magazine Novembre 2017 - Style 35