Meet an Innovator: Mario Serrano
As an architecture and digital design student at Illinois Institute of Technology, Mario is passionate about aesthetics, cities, and forms of space. With his thoughtfulness when it comes to reasons behind actions and his strenths in visuals and graphics, Mario brings a strong design background to SÖM in order to transform wine into a tool that can have a cultural and social impact in America. In the future he plans to use his knowledge and talent to help design the cities of the future, cities that are scaled to be human and have a strong impact on residents’ quality of life.
Hometown: Barranquilla, Colombia
Current city of residence: Chicago, IL, USA
School: Illinois Institute of Technology
Area of study: Architecture - Digital Design
Languages you speak: Spanish, English
Articulate yourself in a few words.
A creative mind with strong ideals that is always looking to grow and learn from others. Extremely passionate about aesthetics, cities, and forms of space. Very thoughtful when it comes to reasons behind actions and thoughts.
What excites you about working with Söm in Italy?
The possibility of using wine as a tool that can have a cultural and social impact in America.
What are you gaining from this experience working with a start-up in the Italia Innovation community?
The opportunity to work with people with educations and experiences in very different fields. A network of exceptional individuals with an incredible drive and hope for their futures. The exploration of different tools such as the “design thinking” method.
What are you learning from the other fellows?
Team leadership, team dynamics, modes of thought, and different workflows.
Describe your professional expertise and how your skills will help the startup you are working for?
My professional expertise ranges from working in an architecture firm with a strong social focus on projects with a large urban impact, defining the image of a startup, and curating exhibitions. The skills that I think will help SÖM the most are my experience with the design process, my strength on visuals and graphic design, and my unique way of thinking.
What is your driving force?
My passion for design as a tool to improve human conditions, and my obsession with cities.
What is the best lesson you’ve ever learned from a former work experience or boss?
The importance of feeling proud of whatever you are producing. The large difference that working overnight can make.
How would you like to use your talents and energy to make an impact?
I want to use the knowledge and talent I’ve accumulated over the years to help design the cities of the future, cities that are scaled to be human and have a strong impact on residents’ quality of life.
What book has helped you the most in your career?
Delirious New York by Rem Koolhaas.
