Growing up in Geneva, Switzerland with a Norwegian mother and Sicilian father, Giulio Barresi was convinced he would follow a more traditional route, with an emphasis on biology. As he looked into more artistic fields he became intrigued, and decided to study media interaction design at university. Photography was a starting point, but soon his work evolved to blend coding, electronics, and visuals.
Even though Barresi was invigorated by experimentation, he wasn’t sure his trajectory was the right one. He still has moments of questioning, but it is all a part of his process, and ultimately, his successes. “It took some time for me to feel fully confident in my path,” Barresi says. “After about two years into my professional career I came to the conclusion that I truly enjoy what I do. Of course, there are moments when imposter syndrome creeps in, but I see it as a healthy challenge that keeps me pushing to grow and improve.”
Giulio Barresi
Barresi has had many supporters along the way, each offering their own unique perspectives that still inspire him. A high school English teacher was an African-American woman and a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community. She taught Barresi the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity, which then sparked his interest in activism. And his filmmaker friend encouraged him to turn his passion into a profession.
After a brief stint at a small design studio, Barresi joined technology brand Logitech, helping to shape the global product lineup from personal workspace solutions to gaming equipment. Now the company’s head of UX, Controllers, he recently led the development of MX Creative Console, a groundbreaking set of tools for professional creatives.
He uses much simpler implements when he sets out to capture some of the concepts that pop up in the most unexpected places. Sticky notes are his go-to, and he’ll jot things down on almost any surface he can write on. Yet, he’s ready to try another medium, one that allows him to use the power of his voice. “The one thing I haven’t explored yet is audio recordings,” Barresi adds. “I can actually imagine myself walking around with a small recorder, talking through ideas as they come to mind.”
Today, Giulio Barresi joins us for Friday Five!
Photo: Courtesy of Bang & Olufsen
I love this one. We have a long history with the Bang & Olufsen brand in my family, with B&O pieces passed generations down. The object represents brand heritage with references to the famous Beolit 600. It also invites us to rethink our relationship to music. This object is a way to capture something immaterial, sound. I often bring the Beosound A5 with me to a party or a dinner and play my favourite artists, as one would bring flowers or a bottle of wine.
Photo: Courtesy of Bjørklund
2. “Ostehøvel” or cheese slicer
It’s a Norwegian invention to cut very thin slices of cheese, usually Norwegian brown goat cheese. I like objects with a unique purpose and I wanted to call this one out as it’s part of my cultural heritage, beyond being pretty cool and convenient.
Photo: Courtesy of Dyson
I really HATE vacuuming. Or maybe I used to hate vacuuming, until I started using the Dyson vacuum cleaners. I like how this engineering/design led company looks at solving user problems. It’s very technological, which sometimes leads to commercial failures, and sometimes creates amazing experiences. I’m really impressed by their ability to make people like vacuuming with their product.
Photo: Ivar Kvaar
An underwater culinary experience. I visited Under, the underwater restaurant in the south of Norway this summer. The revamped concept proposes an incredible culinary experience from a very humble and welcoming team, at par with the impressive architectural work of Norwegian architect firm Snøhetta. Being able to experience an incredible Michelin star culinary journey – five metres underwater – watching sea stars gliding on the massive window and fishes swim by, is a pretty unforgettable experience.
Photo: Courtesy of Marimekko
This 60-year-old pattern is instinctively recognizable as Marimekko but never feels outdated. The play around shades and pattern sizes generates a variety of ambiances across fashion pieces and home decor. This iconic Finnish design contrasts with the sometimes austere nordic climate, bringing warmth into peoples homes and lives. Every time I wear a Marimekko piece, eyes turn on me, and the floral pattern sparks conversation.
Works by Giulio Barresi for Logitech:
