We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Miguel Barbas ("MB").
Miguel Barbas is an award-winning designer that helps make the World a better place with their original and innovative creations and advanced design works.
Miguel Barbas Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Miguel Barbas.
Miguel Barbas Design - Dental Clinic HEALTHCARE SPACE
Miguel Barbas Design - Clinic Santa Madalena Healthcare Space
Designer Interview of Miguel Barbas:
DI: Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
MB : I studied arts in basic education, having then followed civil engineering, being passionate about Santiago Calatrava, and I wanted to design the structures and at the same time calculate how far they could go.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
MB : “Clients have relied on SABRAB to build their business and their homes, being aware that our professionalism, innovation and singular vision, looking at each project as a unique project, leads us to excellent results. We have an increasingly specialized and demanding team with more than 10 years of experience, therefore reinforcing commitment towards our clients, by supporting, suggesting, and advising them in terms of techniques and materials to accomplish their dreams.” Miguel Barbas, CEO SABRAB was founded in April 2006 and, since its creation, it has advised its clients on elaborating a suitable plan for each project, by incorporating the best solutions, processes and materials, meeting the needs and goals we undertake before our clients. We rely on a multi disciplinary team formed by Engineers, Managers, Architects and Building Technicians, that are highly experienced in this industry and have a wide market knowledge. We distinguish ourselves by ensuring a personal follow-up with the client, therefore attributing a special value to each project. The success of each project begins with a plan capable of ensuring compliance with deadlines and quotations, and the required quality. From a small office to a large public construction, our team dedicates to identify and manage project risks, predicting problems that can later become costly. During our integrated management process, we apply several processes which allow clients to trust SABRAB to coordinate and execute all formalities regarding a real estate project, from a preliminary study made by an architect up to the construction and finishing stages.
DI: What is "design" for you?
MB : turn reality what we have in mind, for use , or only for admiration
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
MB : furniture and houses in the nature
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
MB : santiago calatrava, anyone...
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
MB : a dental clinic
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
MB : stell, brass and wood
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
MB : after a race cars :D
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
MB : the shape and minimalism of the forms
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
MB : anxiety, nervousness and happiness when I hit the target
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
MB : realization
DI: What makes a design successful?
MB : when the customer realizes what you created, without doubting
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
MB : simplicity and usability
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
MB : create designs that have no impact on the environment, and improve the daily life of society
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
MB : a design that respects the environment and the earth
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
MB : Lisbon, Milan and New York
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
MB : Santiago Calatrava shapes and the nature shapes
DI: How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
MB : Minimalist, neutral and environmentally friendly
DI: Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
MB : Lisbon. portugal is very small, and it is very difficult for young people to win, the market is protected with the usual ones, who have been in the market for many years, and are always protected and chosen, even by the government, not believing in new generations.
DI: How do you work with companies?
MB : we design our products
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
MB : see their past works, see ther love for the work, the cheapest becomes the most expensive
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
MB : i don't have a process, i do my works with the inspiration that i have at that day!
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
MB : barcelona chair, and the DNA chair that we design
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
MB : busy, busy ahahah begins earlier at office, then midle day go to kickboxing classes, and came back to office again, to meet with all employes, to prepare next morning work
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
MB : believe with love , that what we design, change the view of the consumer or client
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
MB : when we do something totally different, we are stuck with that idea, and we are afraid that we will not draw something as good again
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
MB : use the first inspiration for that piece or house
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
MB : imagination and know the client
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
MB : autocad and 3dsmax
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
MB : i have to have time to go to my kickbox class, and every month go to drive my race car
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
MB : from 1 week to a month
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
MB : if i am expensive :D
DI: What was your most important job experience?
MB : doing the reahbilitation of Forte da Graça in Elvas, Portugal
DI: Who are some of your clients?
MB : Clinica Santa Madalena, Clinica Medis, and some privates that i couldn´t reveal the name
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
MB : DNA house Stairs
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
MB : Doing a house all in wood
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
MB : as a team
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
MB : we are doing a very nice house in Melides, called Casa do Arco
DI: How can people contact you?
MB : by email, miguelbarbas@sabrab.com
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
MB : enjoy life and design for your life