1.From the idea to the project: tell us about your project, how did it start, what does it start from?
The project started in December 2015. In Southern Italy, during the Christmas period, we usually eat a lot of dried fruits. During a dinner, I saw the shells on the table and I sensed the potential of this "waste". That table turned into a workbench and an experimental station, not  only for the creation of a new material, but above all for a new way of thinking about the material within the company. At the beginning of 2017, the "Keep Life" brand was born as well as the patent for its industrial invention.

2.What does design mean to you?
Design, the act of designing, is among the most effective and influential tools we have for "Design", a world that works better. Remember that design is born to satisfy needs and, eventually, desire.

3.Which values connect you with 5VIE? Why did you choose this district?
5VIE is the district of the ancient craft shops of Milan, there is a more attention and a curious eye for everything that is innovation, craftsmanship and know-how, in short, all values that are perfectly combined with our thinking.

4.Which are your sources of inspiration?
Nature. Nature with its geometries, with its technical perfection and imperfection which pushes towards change and innovation, in search of progressive improvement.

5.In your opinion, what is the relation among drawing, handicraft and industrial production?
We do not have a style, we are always heading for experimentation and transformation, differing from our own identity.

6.What does the future of design look like?
These are three fundamental steps in design. Time is essential for Keep Life. Our products are often unique pieces produced in small batches with great attention for the manual labour. They are "slow" objects, with a refined and authentic soul.

7. In your works, what is the relationship between the poetic component and the influence of technology?
The poetic component is very important. We are inspired designers, happy designers. Equally important is the technological aspect, it is necessary to have a technical, scientific thought to give stability and functionality to poetry. Keep Life has pushed us a lot to play with both. On the one hand the ceramics are completely handmade using classic carpentry tools, on the other we experimented with CNC and 3D printing techniques.

8. What does the future of design look like?
We hope that it will go more and more towards a sustainable direction. Let's imagine a design awareness that has a positive impact on the world and that sensitizes society to become more ethical.