Today we’d like to introduce you to Darguin Fortuna.
Darguin, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
It was January of 2008 when me and my partner Marcos Severino first met during our first-semester lecture class of architecture school. We lived in the Dominican Republic back then and studied at the Universidad Autonoma de Santo Domingo. During that class, I immediately knew our path would cross in a meaningful way. A few semesters later Marcos moved to the United States and I never heard from him.
In 2010 I also moved to this amazing country and by coincidence we encountered each other through Facebook. We spoke about our future, our goals and passions and shared the dream of doing what we love the most and perhaps do it together. Marcos graduated with an associates degree in architecture while I graduated with an English as a Second Language certificate. I have been looking for architecture schools and heard about the Boston Architectural College. I loved the place since day one. After a few semesters, I spoke to Marcos and encouraged him to enroll in the same program.
We both went to the school and kept working together and dreaming with the idea of opening a kind of design firm beyond architecture. In 2014 we met an amazing interior designer who also shared our visions and engaged in this endeavor of doing our own thing outside of our professional jobs and with all the respect and professionalism that we could afford. My wife Caitlin got on board and organized our goals in such a manner that it all began to happen. Erin Wu was the interior designer who joined us at the very beginning.
I remember when I first said to her I wanted to open a studio. She said it would be awesome and the next day I told her we are having a team meeting. She thought it was crazy. I typically come up with ideas overnight and have learned to trust them and give them my all. We began doing small kitchen and basement renovations, small graphic design projects as well as 3D visualizations. Soon enough we had a business and none of us had graduated yet. I graduated in 2016 alongside Erin Wu.
Marcos recently graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture and we are currently pursuing architecture registration. We currently maintain full-time positions at very well known firms and respect all policies and conflict of interests regulations, Therefore our scope is not architecture but the art of engaging in small but meaningful spatial, virtual and visual projects that redefine design and help clients with small companies and tight budgets achieve their dreams.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I am not sure how to define it other than an interesting journey. In some instances, It has been an emotional roller coaster. Although I would say a smooth journey, I am certain my Partners might not agree. I tend to make decisions trusting that my partner Marcos and Caitlin will agree with me.
Often times they do not agree, but I convince them. In other words, I make things a little interesting by taking on projects or making decisions that push us outside of our boundaries. Incorporating Flow is one of those decisions. We were acting like a business before we were one legal entity but were not organized and in some fashion were simple independent contractors doing design work. I with very little warnings went ahead and begun the process hoping it all would turn out ok.
I think it did, so far so good. This is scary for new business owners because it is a moment of reassurance and renewal of commitment. Now we are not just the kids that do cool design competitions and little additions. We are an entity. Another very frightening moment has been defining what we are and what we do and do not do. We did a graphics presentation for one of our most valued clients and they asked us to assist them in the production, design, and documentation for a new Fire and Police Headquarters valued for 10 Million Dollars.
We accepted the offer and went on not knowing all the time and energy it would require. We completed the project documentation on time and the project bids came under budget. The entire process was very scary given that all members of Flow have full-time positions in other companies and the amount of coordination and precision required for such a project is paramount. These stories are some examples of the struggles we have dealt with and not only successfully passed them but also thrived.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Flow Design – what should we know?
We specialize in the design of visual, virtual, physical and sensorial experiences. What I mean is that we are not a business in a conventional way. We don’t sell a product. We sell experiences and the means for our clients to achieve their dreams. We partner with our clients and invest all of our resources to make their goals come true. We are known for the generation of 3D visualizations as well as the generation of conceptual designs that developers and investors use to get their projects funded. People tend to use the word wow a lot when we deliver even the first draft of any of our projects. We love that.
We are proud of the trust we have earned with our clients by doing more for less and delivering as expected.
What sets us apart is that we are a young team that is responsible, creative and engaged. We often times get projects and when asking the clients at the end of the final deliveries why they hired us; often times the answer is because you always answered my questions and kept the ball rolling no matter what. I pride myself on the ability to respond with sound concepts and thoughtful statements that represent one single thing, that we listened. Most designers go into dreamland at the first meeting. We have an interesting team of realists, dreamers, perfectionists and down to earth humans that people relate to.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
The list is very long but I could not even begin the list without mentioning my wife Caitlin Fortuna. She has been supporting me and guiding me since the foundation of Flow. My partner Marcos Severino is also someone that I always say I cannot do this without. In fact, I cannot think of a better design partner to work with. We received guidance from the director of the school of Design Studies at the Boston Architectural College Don Hunsicker as well as many other instructors at the school.
Our clients have become our friends and parent figures as well. We are a young team and they have looked passed the youth and trusted us with projects that mean the world to them. Clients and Partner such as Greg and Meg Carell of the Carell Group Architects as well as our very first client Doctor Benalfew Legesse. Greg and Meg have treated us like a part of the team since day one. Ben trusted us with the renovation of his house regardless of our small portfolio at the time.
Contact Info:
- Address: 47 Bridge St Unit 1
- Website: http://flowdesigninc.wixsite.com/flow-design
- Phone: 978-818-4620
- Email: Flowdesigncreate@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flowdesigncreate/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FlowDesignCreate/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel
Done in collaboration with Gienapp Design
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