“Design is becoming personal”

"DESIGN IS

BECOMING PERSONAL"

INTERVIEW

Levi Di Marco is Head of Brand & Communication at Swedish producer Hem. We asked him to share his media diet - and the design topics occupying him right now.

TNE Describe your media diet. What magazines and platforms do you read?

LDV I consume a lot of social media and newsletters. The few magazines I read are ones like Apartamento or Pin-Up that tend to go deeper into somewhat obscure topics, but for me it’s usually a matter of seeking inspiration by just sponging up as many impressions as possible, which today’s social platforms are expertly tailored to provide. I can get lost scrolling through the perfect cocktail of nostalgia, beauty and silliness that is the stunning work of @samyoukilis or reading through the toxic comment section at accounts like @designwithincopy debating the differences between design hommages and copies.

WORDS

PHOTOGRAPHY

Hanna Nova Beatrice

Martin Brusewitz

Everything in Levi Di Marco’s home is deeply personal. Even the smallest decorative item has a story behind it and adds a sense of joy and life to his space.

TNE What’s your favourite podcasts?

LDM I’m all about the stupid stuff. The stuff that makes you laugh like an idiot in public. There are fewer better feelings than discovering a podcast where you have years of episodes to re-cap. My latest obsession is “SmartLess” where Jason Bateman, Will Arnett (the stars of the TV show Arrested Development) and Sean Hayes are supposed to interview famous guests but usually just end up talking about themselves.

TNE What topics occupy your mind right now?

LDM What is the new normal going to be like? When can we start hugging our friends properly again? What are the things that we’ll realise that we’ve actually missed the most? Is Timothée Chalamet even a good actor?

”Design is finally becoming personal without being put on a pedestal. Designers and brands are more transparent than ever and you can communicate to a global audience with a very personal tone in a way that hasn't been possible before. ”

TNE What is the best thing about the design world right now? What makes you excited?

LDM The fact that design finally is becoming personal without being put on a pedestal. Designers and brands are more transparent than ever and you can communicate to a global audience with a very personal tone in a way that hasn't been possible before. I also think that as a consumer today you expect much more from the people you consume from. I almost seek a sense of personal chemistry towards the designers and brands that I follow and in order to achieve that you need to dare to be subjective, personal and not always take yourself too seriously.

TNE What’s the three most important things about your home? What do you need to feel great?

LDM My espresso machine, my Soft Baroque stool and my freakishly large Monstera which is pretty much a family member at this point. Everything we own is deeply personal, and even small, seamlessly pointless, decorative items add a sense of joy and life to a space which is key for me to feel great.