Interview with Maison Valentina’s Brand and Design Manager
Joaquim Paulo
Joaquim Paulo is the CEO, product designer and responsible for the design department of Maison Valentina. In this interview, Joaquim unveils his path until he arrived to the design group, the source of inspiration in the time of creation and the proximity with the luxury bathroom brand. 1. Can you give us an insight of your educational and professional background before arriving to Maison Valentina? I started my journey at the Arts School – Soares dos Reis – in Porto with the aim to be a future architect. But, soon, I felt in love with the school of Bauhaus and every movements of the modern art based on the methodological rationalism and their aesthetic and functional research which lead me to the design area. In 2002, I graduated at Escola Superior de Arte e Design (ESAD) – Superior School of Arts and Design - with the bachelor in Equipment Design.
Maison Valentina | Luxury Bathrooms www.maisonvalentina.net | info@maisonvalentina.net
During my studies, I had other works outside the design industry. However, I also launched a design studio with 2 colleagues and even worked for a company in the hotel business, giving support to hospitality projects. 2. When did you arrive to the Menina Design Group (the group which belongs Maison Valentina)? In 2008 I presented a wide range of drawings to the international brand of furniture, Boca do Lobo, having seen two projects to be selected for the brand’s collection, Limited Edition. The projects were the watch Time Goes By and the famous Venice mirror. Afterwards, I would be invited to join the board direction of the company Menina Design Group becoming responsible for the production management and prototyping of new products for Boca do Lobo. After two years, I suggested to the Group which integrates brands like Boca do Lobo, Delightfull and Koket, the challenge of starting a new project – Brabbu Design Forces - by joining the design department with the launching of a wide collection of products in a variety of typologies from the upholstery and furniture to the lighting production. Since 2012, I accumulate the functions of Board of Direction in Brabbu and since 2014 I am responsible for the new and the most recent project of the group - Maison Valentina – Luxury Bathrooms. 3. As a design manager what is the source of inspiration of your team when conceptualizing a new product? Our team’s inspiration comes from different perspectives: the study of the art history, following the main currents of the design, architecture, sculpture, painting and even the music has a strong influence in our work. The luxury lifestyle, the materials that the nature offers, movies, mainly everything that surrounds us can be a potential source of inspiration. It comes from ideas or feelings that Maison Valentina wants its pieces to reflect. 4. What should be avoided when a designer is in a process of creativity? Ideas that remain too long time in the paper without being worked. It is really important to grab the idea and to work on it while it is a fresh thought, while the inspiration is bustling. When this is idea is still young the designer should study the subjects that surround the project in order to work every detail accurately so that the function and form are consistent. 5. How do you feel involved with the brand Maison Valentina? I was involved since the beginning of this project. I feel like it is a young son that I want to follow step by step, inducing in it all the knowledge that I acquire with the other brands of the group in order to see it grow and be a strong project in the bathroom market. Maison Valentina | Luxury Bathrooms www.maisonvalentina.net | info@maisonvalentina.net
“I love what I do and I don’t settle down. I am constantly looking for new challenges to get a result of my work closer to perfection”. Joaquim Paulo
PRESS RELATIONS | INÊS SILVA isilva@maisonvalentina.net | Skype: ines-silva-om +351 222 015 850
Maison Valentina | Luxury Bathrooms www.maisonvalentina.net | info@maisonvalentina.net