Luiz DeBasto
Designer, DeBasto Designs
Q&A
Who has influenced you the most? Why?
In yacht design, early on in my career I enjoyed the work of Pier Luigi Spadolini and Alberto Mercati. Clean lines and perfect proportions still guide my exterior design work today
What is the most effective daily habit you possess? Why?
Trying to sleep at least 7 hours a day to keep a clear mind
Where do you find inspiration?
I find inspiration In Nature and in Geometry. I am always amazed to see how those two sources of inspiration are interconnected and how, after they are understood, they can be transformed and become art, architecture, music and even extraordinary yacht designs.
If you could choose one location for your next travel adventure, where would you go and why?
It depends:
On land I would return to Angola, where I was born and left when I was 12 because of the war, this time with my family. The nature and the people left beautiful memories,
By boat I would like to go to Antarctic, another strong side of nature.
And by rocket I would like to take off to the sky to look back and see our planet floating in space.
What is the greatest piece of advice you’ve gotten?
The path is the destination.
What advice do you have for the next generation?
Never cease to learn, be relentless, be curious, take the initiative and create a network of people in all places and walks of life.
What does it mean to you to be an ISS judge?
As a professional, is a chance to look at the work of others with a critical eye that forces me to look at each design and understand how successful it is given all the inevitable compromises each design goes through to become a reality. Then, it is also necessary to compare each project with the others. Determining a winner requires much consideration and responsibility. And, personally it makes me feel good to be part of a distinguished group of accomplished people in the industry.
What do you like about the ISS Design & Awards Gala?