From 2015 to 2023 my job was full time VICARA.
I envisioned a structure for the promotion and production of projects by emerging designers, sharing a vision of diversity on a heterogeneous catalog with a pluridimensional take on objects and their place on our world. This company had many phases and over the year we worked and collaborated with many many companies, designers, crafstpeople, communication agents, and stores. I am grateful for the time and life I spent working towards a common goal.
I collaborated and worked with many many people, namely Imke Hoefer, Mariana Francisco, Pauline Barbier, Magdalena Kurzikowska, Jorge Carreira, Bruno Santos, João Marcão, Eneida Tavares, João Xará, Tânia Martins, Maria von Haffe, Nathalia Rezende, Kevin Claro e Miguel Xavier.
I envisioned a structure for the promotion and production of projects by emerging designers, sharing a vision of diversity on a heterogeneous catalog with a pluridimensional take on objects and their place on our world. This company had many phases and over the year we worked and collaborated with many many companies, designers, crafstpeople, communication agents, and stores. I am grateful for the time and life I spent working towards a common goal.
I collaborated and worked with many many people, namely Imke Hoefer, Mariana Francisco, Pauline Barbier, Magdalena Kurzikowska, Jorge Carreira, Bruno Santos, João Marcão, Eneida Tavares, João Xará, Tânia Martins, Maria von Haffe, Nathalia Rezende, Kevin Claro e Miguel Xavier.
Its last description read like this in 2023:
“ VICARA Studio is a creative agency that develops original initiatives and socially conscious solutions in the area of product design. Bringing together designers, artisans and industry, VICARA takes a hands-on approach in creating a sustainable and interconnected design ecosystem. The agency is also the owner of two product design brands: the homonymous brand, which presents a catalog of exclusive pieces produced in ceramics, glass, wood, or weaving techniques, and which has national design and production as its common thread; and Tasco, a red clay tableware brand, inspired by the vernacular of Portuguese handmade ceramics and its gastronomic culture.”
“ VICARA Studio is a creative agency that develops original initiatives and socially conscious solutions in the area of product design. Bringing together designers, artisans and industry, VICARA takes a hands-on approach in creating a sustainable and interconnected design ecosystem. The agency is also the owner of two product design brands: the homonymous brand, which presents a catalog of exclusive pieces produced in ceramics, glass, wood, or weaving techniques, and which has national design and production as its common thread; and Tasco, a red clay tableware brand, inspired by the vernacular of Portuguese handmade ceramics and its gastronomic culture.”
Twisted Center Piece - Edition of 3
During a weekend glass workshop at Cencal - Marinha Grande I initiated the process of developing a series of pieces with a twisted glass shape. Their various iterations, while collaborating with different glass blower, evolved into a limited series of 3 pieces, exploring colour and its movement around the turmoil.
During a weekend glass workshop at Cencal - Marinha Grande I initiated the process of developing a series of pieces with a twisted glass shape. Their various iterations, while collaborating with different glass blower, evolved into a limited series of 3 pieces, exploring colour and its movement around the turmoil.
Product photos taken by Matilde Travassos for Felipa Almeida’s Fruit Market.
Made in collaboration of glass blowers Cláudio Duarte and Arlindo Francisco. Final pieces by José Manuel Castanheira.
2023
Made in collaboration of glass blowers Cláudio Duarte and Arlindo Francisco. Final pieces by José Manuel Castanheira.
2023
Terrazzo Collection for Amorim Wise
Inspired both from the traditional Italian terrazzo’s marble pattern, along with the famous Portuguese marble cake, the Amorim Wise Terrazzo Capsule collection recreates that crafty feeling in an entirely recycled cork flooring.
In the first meeting, to present proposals for a new flooring pattern, to all departments and management of Amorim Cork Flooring, we presented images of marble cake, chocolate salami and cookie cake, along with some moodboards of italian terrazzos.
In a synesthetic creative process, we related sensibilities with hues and, with the collaboration of Amorim’s resident designer Ana Fernandes, arrived at the final palette. The collection is made of 8 different and versatile designs, from the greenish Element Mint to the orange Twist Terracotta. A collection that brings together a sweet tooth universe, the sense of Italian tradition, and the warm feeling of cork.
Inspired both from the traditional Italian terrazzo’s marble pattern, along with the famous Portuguese marble cake, the Amorim Wise Terrazzo Capsule collection recreates that crafty feeling in an entirely recycled cork flooring.
In the first meeting, to present proposals for a new flooring pattern, to all departments and management of Amorim Cork Flooring, we presented images of marble cake, chocolate salami and cookie cake, along with some moodboards of italian terrazzos.
In a synesthetic creative process, we related sensibilities with hues and, with the collaboration of Amorim’s resident designer Ana Fernandes, arrived at the final palette. The collection is made of 8 different and versatile designs, from the greenish Element Mint to the orange Twist Terracotta. A collection that brings together a sweet tooth universe, the sense of Italian tradition, and the warm feeling of cork.
Project from VICARA Studio made with the collaboration of João Xará, Fábio Afonso and Francisca Branco
2022
Desajeitado Glass for Quinta Várzea da Pedra
When Tomás Emídio, a fellow designer, asked us to design a glass for a special wine named Desajeitado [clumsy] from Quinta Várzea da Pedra, we immediately thought we would first have to taste this specialty and learn more about its history. Its clumsy way of being born combined with the stone that gives the farm its name, gave rise to an experimentally produced glass that gives a special shape to the liquid. Produced in hand blown glass, using a mold of a stone from the farm, as well as a steel tube, each glass is unique and is only sold together with the bottle.
When Tomás Emídio, a fellow designer, asked us to design a glass for a special wine named Desajeitado [clumsy] from Quinta Várzea da Pedra, we immediately thought we would first have to taste this specialty and learn more about its history. Its clumsy way of being born combined with the stone that gives the farm its name, gave rise to an experimentally produced glass that gives a special shape to the liquid. Produced in hand blown glass, using a mold of a stone from the farm, as well as a steel tube, each glass is unique and is only sold together with the bottle.
Our work for Quinta Várzea da Pedra is an experimental and low cost approach to glass production. We used our experience in small series production to make several experiments focusing on the use of stone to create texture in glass. For this, we turned to our community and collaborated with other companies in the region.
Project from VICARA Studio made with the collaboration of glass blower Cláudio Duarte.
2022
Origem Capsule Collection for Amorim Wise
"Origem captures the essence of the colours from the Montado, the fragile and important ecosystem where cork has its origins. The greens and oranges are the background tones of this landscape, that slowly changes its hues each harvesting season. The collection transports different colour elements of this landscape to our everyday life, adding a touch of nature to our homes and offices."
This was an holistic creative direction project, where we were involved in every aspect of design, product development and communication.
"Origem captures the essence of the colours from the Montado, the fragile and important ecosystem where cork has its origins. The greens and oranges are the background tones of this landscape, that slowly changes its hues each harvesting season. The collection transports different colour elements of this landscape to our everyday life, adding a touch of nature to our homes and offices."
This was an holistic creative direction project, where we were involved in every aspect of design, product development and communication.
Comprising 8 new colours for flooring and 2 new colours for wall coverings, Origem takes its orange and green tones from nature, adding bright yellow and grey as contrasting elements.
We believe the best way to achieve a good commitment between design and production is to follow the innovation project with constant factory visits.
Project from VICARA Studio made with the collaboration of João Xará, Fábio Afonso, Francisca Branco, Diogo Matos and Mariana Vasconcelos.
2021
We believe the best way to achieve a good commitment between design and production is to follow the innovation project with constant factory visits.
Project from VICARA Studio made with the collaboration of João Xará, Fábio Afonso, Francisca Branco, Diogo Matos and Mariana Vasconcelos.
2021
