双语深圳 | Designer embraces creativity in ‘City of Design’

深圳作为我国首个被联合国教科文组织授予“设计之都”称号的城市，在创意和设计产业实现了快速发展，吸引了众多国际设计师的目光。这里的创新精神和快速发展的市场为设计师提供了丰富的机遇和无尽的灵感来源。

Eduardo Alessi, who hails from the charming Tuscan city of Prato, Italy, is one of the many international designers who have embraced the city’s spirit and actively engage with its industrial design and supply chain landscapes.

爱德华多·阿莱西，一位来自意大利托斯卡纳大区普拉托的设计师，正是众多在深圳追寻梦想的设计师中的一员，不断在深圳充满活力的设计行业中汲取灵感。

Eduardo Alessi during an interview with Shenzhen Daily journalists. Photos by Lin Jianping

阿莱西接受英文《深圳日报》记者访问。

Design as language

设计是一门语言

Alessi was originally enrolled in a technical school with a focus on mechanics. The allure of design — a promise of creativity and problem-solving — drew him to the industrial design sector. After graduating from the University of Florence, Alessi spent time in the U.S. honing his skills and broadening his horizons.

阿莱西最初在意大利一所专注于机械工程的技校就读。设计的魅力吸引他进入了工业设计领域。在佛罗伦萨大学毕业后，阿莱西前往美国发展，在此期间不断拓宽视野。

However, the call of his homeland was strong, and he returned to Florence and set up his own studio. Freelancing led him down an unexpected path. With a significant portion of his clients based in China, he had to regularly travel between Italy and China.

后来，他回到佛罗伦萨，建立了自己的工作室。自由职业让他踏上了一条意想不到的道路。由于他的大部分客户都在中国，他不得不经常往返于意大利和中国之间。

Some design samples on display at the office of TROVITechnologies.

卓意科技办公室中的部分展品。

Alessi decided to make Shenzhen his new home in 2018. Soon, he took on the role of design director for TROVI Technologies Co. Ltd., an Italian company nestled in Shekou, Nanshan District. The company specializes in industrial design and supply chain management, with a keen focus on material design and the development of sustainable materials.

2018年，阿莱西决定搬到深圳。不久，他担任了位于南山区蛇口的意大利公司卓意科技的设计总监。该公司专注于工业设计和供应链管理，特别注重材料设计和可持续材料的发展。

Alessi views design as a language that needs to be as clear and simple as possible. “We don’t over-design. We don’t over-create things or show off.”

在阿莱西看来，设计是一种需要尽可能清晰简单的语言。“我们不做过度的设计。我们不刻意创造事物或炫耀。”

Meanwhile, his approach to design is refreshingly open-minded, a philosophy that eschews cookie-cutter solutions for tailored, client-centric strategies. “We really believe that material is the core of every design process,” he told Shenzhen Daily.

同时，他的设计方法摒弃千篇一律的解决方案，转而采用以客户为中心的定制策略。他告诉记者：“我们坚信材料是每个设计过程的核心。”

One of TROVI’s crowning achievements was the birth of Materik, a brand of accessories that celebrates the uniqueness of materials. Alessi and his team scoured Italy for the finest materials, eventually finding a company near Milan with a legacy of over 150 years of expertise that now leads globally in cellulose acetate production.

在卓意科技，阿莱西见证了Materik品牌的诞生，这是一个专注材料独特性的配件品牌。阿莱西和他的团队在意大利寻找最优质的材料，最终在米兰附近找到了一家拥有超过150年专业经验、在全球纤维素醋酸酯生产领域领先的公司。

Materik wireless chargers designed by TROVITechnologies.

由卓意科技设计的Materik无线充电器。

The time-honored company’s handcrafted materials, traditionally used in the eyewear industry, are transformed into tech accessories via Materik, with each piece reflecting the marriage of tradition and innovation.

这家历史悠久公司的手工材料，传统上用于眼镜行业，通过Materik转变为科技配件，每一件产品都体现了传统与创新的结合。

In the delicate dance between aesthetics and functionality, Alessi leans on the adage that form follows function. Yet, he also understands the importance of emotional connection, believing that materials can foster a unique bond between products and users.

在美学与功能性的微妙平衡中，阿莱西遵循“形式随功能”的理念。然而，他也理解情感联系的重要性，相信材料能够联系产品与用户之间的独特纽带。

This belief drives him to seek out exquisite materials that tell a story. “We begin with selecting the right material, and we believe that the material can forge an intimate connection with the users,” he noted.

这种信念驱使他寻找有故事性且精美的材料。他强调：“我们从选择合适的材料开始，我们相信材料能够与用户建立亲密的联系。”

A deep dive into Shenzhen

深入探索深圳

Shenzhen, with its refreshing sea breezes and pulsating design scene, captured Alessi’s heart. Residing and working in the coastal area of Shekou is a delight for him because the sea, a constant in his Italian heritage, serves as his sanctuary for relaxation.

阿莱西被深圳海滨城市的气质和充满活力的设计场景深深吸引。在蛇口居住和工作让他感到非常愉快。因为大海，作为他意大利血统中永恒的元素，成为了他放松的避风港。

Alessi shares with Shenzhen Daily journalists his experiences in Shenzhen. 

阿莱西跟英文《深圳日报》记者畅谈他在深圳的生活体验。

He especially appreciates the city’s energy, its proximity to manufacturing hubs, and the collaborative spirit of its design community. “The city gives me a chance to learn and grow. In Shenzhen, we share experiences with designers from various backgrounds, each bringing a unique perspective to the table,” the Italian designer shared.

他特别欣赏这座城市的活力、毗邻制造中心的优越地理位置以及设计社区的协作精神。“这座城市给了我学习和成长的机会。在深圳，我们与来自不同背景的设计师分享经验，每个人都带来了独特的视角。”

According to Alessi, TROVI is like a bridge between the West and the East. It not only helps Western clients develop and manufacture their products in China, but also serves as a consultant that guides Chinese brands through the maze of design and manufacturing.

在阿莱西看来，卓意科技就像是连接东西方之间的桥梁。它不仅帮助来自西方国家的客户在中国开发和制造产品，还引导中国品牌在设计制造方面不断升级。

The company has collaborated with a number of Chinese clients, including the renowned mobile phone brand OnePlus. “It’s a fun project to work with, because we always like to work with people from different backgrounds. It was like exchanges of ideas and expertise,” Alessi said.

目前，该公司已与中国多家客户合作，包括著名的手机品牌一加。“这是一个有趣的项目，因为我们总是喜欢与来自不同背景的人合作，进行思想和专业知识的交流。”阿莱西说。

As Alessi looks to the future, his strategy for TROVI in China is clear — follow the entire production chain, from design to manufacturing, with a keen eye on materials and market trends. The dream? To build the most extensive material library in China, a repository that will not just catalog materials but also drive innovation in the design field. “We are always willing to collaborate with more Chinese clients. That’s why we are here,” he said.

展望未来，阿莱西对卓意科技在中国的战略非常明确——从设计到制造关注材料和市场趋势，并紧跟整个生产链。至于梦想？那就是在中国建立一个齐全的材料库，推动设计领域的创新。“我们始终愿意与更多的中国客户合作。这就是我们在这里的原因。”

When asked if he had any advice for young designers, Alessi, with a modest smile, said, “I still need to improve like everybody else.” Nevertheless, he suggested that young designers visit factories more often, work to understand technology, and find their own path, style, and voice in the world of design.

当被问及对年轻设计师的建议时，阿莱西十分谦逊，微笑着说道：“像其他人一样，我仍然需要不断进步。”尽管如此，他还是建议年轻设计师多到工厂走走，理解新技术，并在设计世界中找到适合自己的道路和风格，发出自己的声音。