Q&A: André Teoman Studio

André Teoman Studio is the creative union of André Teoman and Ana Rita Pires, located in Portugal. Duo's practice is based on cooperation with the local craftsmen and desire to preserve traditional craft techniques.

What techniques do you work with?

We primarily work with a combination of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design techniques. Our studio focuses on blending various materials and processes, and tends to create a dichotomy between the craftsmanship that still exists mostly thanks to the past generations and the fast pacing technology of the new industry. The materials might include woodworking, metalworking, and textile, but our focus is always to create unique and thought-provoking pieces. We don’t focus too much on technology itself, but always use it as a tool to create emotional pieces that bring something new to the table. And sometimes that emotion might be just an ode to the technology itself by taking it to new standards.

When did you decide that you would become a designer?

Our passion for design emerged in our childhood like most creative persons but it was during our time studying Product Design in our hometown of Viana do Castelo, Portugal, that was cemented. It was during our studies that we discovered our shared vision and commitment to the creative process, leading us to pursue a career in design.

What did you study, and how did it affect your work?

André focused his career in Product Design, while Ana Rita specialized in textile and graphic design. Our respective educational backgrounds were the same but it diverged when we started our professional careers. André's knowledge of product design principles and his love for unique techniques results in an approach to creating functional and aesthetically bold pieces that always have a story to tell. On the other side Ana Rita's expertise in textile design adds a unique dimension to the work, allowing us to integrate not just textiles into our creations in innovative ways but also a way of thinking about products with a different approach.

Where do you work on your projects?

Our studio is located in Viana do Castelo, Portugal, and we are fortunate to still be based at our hometown where we have a great creative community. Then being said we work all around Portugal with different techniques and different people, and that's what we really love to do, to discover new interesting people that by adding our input into their craft something new comes to life that honors its heritage. Also when we work with the industry we tend to go there, feel what they do, and try to take the most of what they have to offer. When it's international collaborations it's not that easy, but still we try to find ways to get their input, because our studio it's where the creative process happens but just as when we cook food we have all the tools at the kitchen but the "ingredients" to create come from all around, just as inspiration comes from everything too.

What is your favorite project so far?

It's difficult to choose a single favorite project, as each one holds a special place in our story. However, one project that stands out is Soldita. By looking for an opportunity during the first coronavirus lockdown we decided to combine our love for drawing with the welding skills of a local friend and producer, making the whole project possible without needing to travel. We always focused on our collaboration with local artisans in our hometown but in this case we rethought the welding process breaking the preconceived idea that some materials are limited to a single purpose and that beauty can only be found in perfection. The project aims to make us think about welding not just as a structural technique but also as a creative vehicle that turns mundane objects into something beautifully decorated.

What is your creative goal?

Our creative goal is to continue pushing boundaries and exploring new possibilities in design. We strive to create pieces that evoke emotions, challenge perceptions, and provoke thought. Ultimately, we aim to leave a lasting impact on the design industry by contributing innovative and meaningful works. More and more we have been researching end of life materials and how to turn them into something that a user would be proud to own not just for what it does but also for what it represents. We started this line of thought with Re-De a project what was merely conceptual and trying to educate locals to what "trash" might also mean, and now we have some ongoing projects be looking at different materials and how we can give them new life.

What are your hobbies, and how do they affect your artistic practice?

Outside of our design work, we both enjoy immersing ourselves in various artistic and cultural experiences. André has a passion for performative arts and cinema which influences his keen eye for composition and visual storytelling. Ana Rita finds inspiration in nature and enjoys exploring different forms of artistic expression that keep her hands busy. But a common hobby would be our love to visit both flea markets or craft markets in search for something that will inspire our next work or that will come in hand in the future when we approach something, this feeds our design practice with a fresh perspective and incorporates diverse influences into our work.

What books are on your bedside table now?

We could mention here some of our favorite books regarding design like "The Design of Everyday Things" by Don Norman or "Creative Confidence" by Tom Kelley and David Kelley but those have been read a long time ago and we like to read about all different kind of areas to find inspiration on all "spectrums". On André's bedside sits "The book of why" by Judea Pearl and in Rita's "Homo Deus" from Yuval Noah Harari. Yuval is one of our favorites, his vision into the past, present and future is something that really inspired both our professional and personal life’s.

Tell us about a film that you watched recently and can recommend.

That's a very difficult question, we watch a ton of different movies and shows, and always try to take something out of them even when they are not great. We know that a lot of people have dedicated a lot of time into that creation, and we are sure that something was done right. But to name one we would have to highlight Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio. What they did with this classic story is an absolute masterpiece, kids can watch it and be entertained but adults will enter a journey that touches upon universal themes of identity, morality, and the power of choices with beautifully crafted characters and sets that take you into a whole new universe.

How do you stay informed about what's going on in the world? What are the sources of information you trust?

We believe in staying well-informed about current affairs and design trends to continuously evolve our practice. We like to visit some design fairs, being Milan the one that we never miss, but also try to reach fairs not directly related with our type of design being art, technology or automotive fairs to open our horizons to different approaches. And of course we also rely on a variety of sources, including reputable design publications, online design communities, and social media platforms.