Architect and designer Daniel Germani took a circuitous route to get to his full-time practice. Along the way he’s worked in tech, media and got an MBA. He talks to us about his childhood in Buenos Aires, grappling with his Catholic upbringing, and his passion for designing spaces that support clients living life to the fullest. Plus, he is fiercely (and hilariously) anti-tchotchke!

Follow Daniel Germani and his work at danielgermanidesigns.com and on Facebook and Instagram.

Thanks to our sponsor, BenchMade Modern, who makes affordable, custom-sized, modern sofas in days... not months. Use code CLEVER for 15% off your order at benchmademodern.com.

What is your earliest memory?

Playing at my grandparent’s home.

How do you feel about democratic design?

A good designer has to be able to provide excellent design solutions no matter the budget. Good design is about providing solutions to everyday needs.

“For me, the role of us as designers is to guide your client into having a more meaningful space to live.”

— Daniel Germani

What’s the best advice that you’ve ever gotten?

Always be prepared because you never know when the next opportunity may show up.

How do you record your ideas?

On paper

What’s your current favorite tool or material to work with?

Dekton

What book is on your nightstand?

The Beautiful Fall, Lagerfeld, Saint Laurent, and Glorious Excess in 1970s Paris

Why is authenticity in design important?

Because if design is not honest it fails the consumer and it betrays the process.

Favorite restaurant in your city?

Hana Sushi

What might we find on your desk right now?

A whole stack of notepads with designs in almost every page, a cross in ceramic that my grandmother (she was a ceramic artist) gave me 40 years ago, and a big pile of unsorted business cards.

Who do you look up to and why?

My parents...they taught me that nothing in life comes free...that one has to work hard and love harder to be successful in life.

What’s your favorite project that you’ve done and why?

The Ronald MacDonald house in Phoenix....giving a loving, welcoming and caring place for those families that are struggling with their kids’ health meant the world to me.

What are the last five songs you listened to?

Swish Swish - Katie Perry
I Feel It Coming - The Weeknd
Freedom '90 - George Michael
Despacito - Luis Fonsi (NOT the Bieber version)
Forever - Chris Brown

Special thanks to Chris Modl of Yore Studio for editing this episode.
Music in this episode courtesy of El Ten Eleven—hear more on Bandcamp.
Shoutout to Jenny Rask for designing the Clever logo.

Keep Listening

Featured

Ep. 211: The Soulful Renovations of House of Rolison

Co-founders of House of Rolison, Amanda Leigh and Taylor Hahn, grew up on opposite coasts but were both self-described angsty teens. Both had a deep love for art and architecture, choosing different professional paths before they met online and their fates intertwined. Their first date turned into a road trip and then quarantine-based cohabitation. Since starting House of Rolison, they’ve renovated a number of forgotten old homes into warm, elegant, modern beauties. Their complementary strengths and deep reverence for their crafts and trades crew, ensures that each new project has room for magic and a whole lot of soul.

Ep. 210: Marva Griffin Wilshire on 25 years of SaloneSatellite and Showcasing Creativity

Frequently referred to as the godmother of Italian design, Marva Griffin Wilshire, grew up in a large family in Venezuela, reading House & Garden and rearranging the furniture. Drawn to Italy in the 1970’s, she landed a job as a secretary for Piero Busnelli, founder of B&B Italia, which opened up her entire world. She was introduced to architects and designers, getting a first-hand look at the inner workings of Italian design. Since then, she’s committed herself to giving young designers a chance to showcase their creativity – most notably by founding the wildly successful SaloneSatellite which welcomes emerging designers worldwide.

Ep. 209: Holly Howard on Business Growth for Creative Entrepreneurs

Polymath Holly Howard has lived many lives. A former professional ballet dancer, bassoonist, medical researcher and board-certified music therapist, she’s pulled from science, art, and design to create a one-of-a-kind path for herself. Now, she runs the successful culture-first business consultancy, Ask Holly How, to help creative entrepreneurs grow personally and professionally, and better understand that business and creativity are more powerful when wielded together.

Ep. 208: ICRAVE’s Lionel Ohayon on Designing the Las Vegas Sphere and Other Brave Ideas

Lionel Ohayon was born in Canada to a family spanning Morocco, Israel, and Spain. This multi-cultural upbringing armed him with the ability to synthesize different inputs and understand complex topics from an early age, and an innate appreciation of hospitality. He founded ICRAVE as a design-build startup in 2002, and several ground-breaking projects later, is now leading the charge in reinventing hospitality experiences like the immersive and otherworldly Las Vegas Sphere, and the anxiety-reducing Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Ep. 207: Creative Pep Talk’s Andy J. Pizza on ADHD, the Heroine’s Journey, & Invisible Things

Illustrator, graphic designer, speaker and picture book-maker Andy J. Pizza grew up in the Indiana suburbs, the child of two diametrically opposite parents - dad in corporate finance and mom an artist. Often feeling out of place, he learned to cope by drawing and smoking cigarettes, before finding indie music, and from there gig posters and graphic design. Now, he’s a wildly successful illustrator and beloved podcaster who remains exceptionally honest, open, and real about the inner workings of being a neurodivergent creative.

Ep. 35: Daniel Germani

Keep Listening

Hear every episode with one click.

Resources

Listen

Ep. 35: Daniel Germani

Keep Listening

Ep. 36: Jan van der Lande

Ep. 34: Tina Roth Eisenberg

Hear every episode with one click.

Resources

Listen