We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Maurício Coelho ("MC").
I am a simple artist who seeks to express himself through art and design, offering particular and positive experiences through aesthetics and comfort. My goal is to become an instrument of change for those who dream of living comfortably and with self-knowledge. Through design I want to change my world and the world of those who seek to be better every day.
Maurício Coelho Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Maurício Coelho.
Maurício Coelho Design - Oco Armchair
Designer Interview of Maurício Coelho:
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?
MC : Since childhood, I have had the ability to view life through an artistic lens. During my teenage years, I studied Architecture and Urbanism, and during this period, I developed an interest in 3D art, which later became a tool that led me to discover furniture design as my true passion. 3D art plays a pivotal role in my work as a designer, enabling me to express my ideas and creations with clarity and precision.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
MC : My design company was established in 2020, shortly after I realized that furniture design is my true passion. Every process within the company is guided and managed by me, ensuring that everything presented aligns with my design philosophy. My company is still in a growth phase, and I feel truly happy to see it thriving.
DI: What is "design" for you?
MC : For me, design means the expression of the Self through the union of functionality and aesthetics.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
MC : Upholstered products. I have a special fondness for items like sofas and armchairs.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
MC : I can't say if I have a favorite design, but the most iconic piece in my collection is certainly the Oco armchair. Its ability to resonate with people and inspire their admiration for design makes it truly special to me.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
MC : An upholstered armchair.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
MC : My favorite material to work with is fabric. I'm always amazed by its organic versatility, as it can cover almost anything with a wide range of finishes, colors, textures, and more.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
MC : When I am in close contact with nature. Nothing inspires me more than that.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
MC : Functionality and aesthetics. For me, design must balance these two characteristics harmoniously.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
MC : Excitement and exhilaration. But I also often feel frustration, as the creative process isn’t always enjoyable.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
MC : Euphoria and contentment.
DI: What makes a design successful?
MC : When it serves people.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
MC : Functionality, a pleasing and balanced aesthetic, and the coherent use of materials.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
MC : Creating products that are functional and meet the needs of society; approaching product development in an ecological and sustainable way; providing support and knowledge to those with less understanding of design.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
MC : I believe that design is increasingly being understood as something that should be viewed beyond its commercial aspect. I think the future of design lies in reducing production scales to better address human and environmental needs.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
MC : My last exhibition was in 2022, and my next one will be in 2025.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
MC : I can say that my greatest sources of inspiration come from nature, human relationships, and the understanding of our emotions.
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?
MC : I can say that my design style is minimalist and contemporary, combining functionality with aesthetic concepts. I wouldn't claim to have a unique style, but rather styles that interact and create the distinctiveness of my work. I always strive to be as clear as possible in my designs without allowing them to become simplistic.
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?
MC : I live in Brazil, and while I draw inspiration from international fellow designers, I strive to incorporate the characteristics of my local culture. My personal experiences and life stories are an inherent part of my creative process. I am very proud to be Brazilian and to find my greatest inspirations here. My country has immense cultural wealth, which I believe is the greatest advantage of living here. However, it is still a very unequal country with technological limitations that occasionally restrict creativity.
DI: How do you work with companies?
MC : I work on demand for furniture brands, providing my visual and design solutions tailored to what they seek for their businesses.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
MC : It is important for companies to be open to innovation and to allow designers the freedom to fully develop their work, enabling them to make use of all the resources, labor, and technology the company offers. Companies will attract talented designers when they provide them with freedom and fair recognition.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
MC : My process is very straightforward, starting with ideas that come from various sources. I then bring these ideas into the 3D process, where I better understand and visualize the product with greater precision. I make the necessary adjustments and constructions until the final stage, deciding on finishes, construction materials, as well as technical and production aspects.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
MC : Sofa, armchair, chair, coffee table, and bed.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
MC : An ordinary day like anyone else's, in which I work out of necessity and passion, seek inspiration in everyday tasks and things, and strive to be the best person I can be for myself and those around me.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
MC : Don’t be afraid to show the world your potential. Design is a balance between risk and success, and for that, it’s essential for people to see what you are capable of. Additionally, study the references available worldwide extensively, and value art and culture.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
MC : Being a designer is an incredible journey that keeps you in a constant process of learning and improvement. I believe this is the greatest advantage. However, it is a field where standing out and being noticed can be quite challenging. Perhaps this is the biggest hurdle from my perspective.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
MC : Functionality combined with aesthetics.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
MC : A photographic and aesthetic eye, the ability to balance forms, and a deep understanding of ergonomics and functionality.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
MC : I make extensive use of virtual 3D modeling tools to understand the shapes of my designs and constantly seek references from websites or design books that are significant and impactful in this field.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
MC : I always strive to wake up early and use this part of the day for creating, when my body and mind are still fresh. However, it's not a strict rule—creativity can strike at any moment, even during sleep.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
MC : It depends. Some products were finalized in two or three days, while others took months to complete. There isn’t a definitive answer to this question.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
MC : The question I’m asked the most is where I draw my inspirations from, and I always make a point of saying that life as a whole is my greatest source. Creating is something too broad to be reduced to small moments or specific things.
DI: What was your most important job experience?
MC : All of them are equally important and essential to my growth as a designer.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
MC : Studyo 4 Estofados has been, so far, my most important commercial partner.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
MC : Development of an upholstered product collection, due to the constructive complexity and challenges involved in this type of project.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
MC : Over the years, I intend to strengthen my brand and develop a variety of products to meet a wide range of human needs.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
MC : I develop my designs independently. However, I rely on colleagues to evaluate my creations and help me find solutions when needed.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
MC : Yes, I am developing a product line using unconventional materials in the commercial context. It is a project without a release date yet.
DI: How can people contact you?
MC : Through my website: https://mauriciocoelhodesign.com
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
MC : Being a designer means understanding the responsibility of providing comfort and necessary solutions to people's lives.