Federico Paternò

A washing machine, a dishwasher, a couple of irons—this is the list of appliances I broke while trying to understand how they worked, much to the delight of my parents. My curiosity about the interaction between objects and humans has been with me since then.

At the start of my studies, I was fascinated by architecture that goes beyond functional and aesthetic purposes, exploring how people live in their environments, surroundings, and social spaces. However, during high school, I discovered that beyond architecture, there was design—the creation of objects actively used by people captivated me. I realized that designing on a smaller scale was my true calling, so… naturally, I enrolled in the Faculty of Architecture, which I quit after the first year (thanks, Calculus 1).

I then enrolled in the undergraduate Design program at the University of San Marino, where I studied human-centered design—solid in functionality and with an essential, pure aesthetic. Castiglioni, Mari, Munari, Rams, and Joe Colombo became my idols (Joe Colombo ❤️, a genius… check him out). I also discovered visual communication and graphic design, which I had never really considered until then—Vignelli, Steiner, Noorda, fonts, compositional grids. I started designing visual elements as well as products. This sparked the realization that I wanted to design visual "objects" people could interact with. So… naturally, I enrolled in the Faculty of Industrial Design, which I completed but never pursued as a career (strike two).

A month and a half after graduating with a Master’s in Industrial Design, I became a freelancer, focusing on branding and identity systems design, including websites and other digital touchpoints. Together with three other professionals, I co-founded White Studio, a collective working across branding, digital, and multimedia.

In 2016, I became co-founder and partner of Studio Tanto, a multidisciplinary design studio where I led digital projects. I delved deeper into the core aspects of UX and UI design, creating human-machine interfaces across various fields, from medical technology to electronic payments. I was often called to work on disruptive concepts, applying new technologies (sensors, voice control, augmented reality, etc.) to real-world scenarios.

The multidisciplinary approach that has defined my studies and career taught me to manage all the elements of the project lifecycle. I’ve come to understand that no project is an island; it’s always part of larger, more complex ecosystems. This knowledge became invaluable when I transitioned to the role of Interface Designer, focusing on software, apps, and complex interfaces. In this position, I’ve acted as a bridge between business and development, reinforcing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and empathy in design.

"Industries and design cannot ignore the word equality", Enzo Mari once said. Before joining Tangible, I followed their projects and, more importantly, their approach to projects, communities, and people. Today, as a team member, I have the opportunity to actively contribute to creating meaningful user experiences and generating value alongside my colleagues.