Interview with Miguel Barbas

Miguel Barbas ("MB") interviewed on Tuesday, 24 November.

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?

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.

How did you become a designer?

MB : when i create Sabrab, for doing a hotel to a friend

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

MB : minimalism, shape of the human and the inspiration of the nature

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

MB : anxiety, nervousness and happiness when I hit the target

What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?

MB : i am a matematic guy, but with love in design, so the combination of both, was a amazing experience

What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?

MB : i want to be remember like a designer that do one piece that all people know

What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?

MB : believe with love , that what we design, change the view of the consumer or client

You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?

MB : believe with love , that what we design, change the view of the consumer or client. if we have a project that the client, don´t be afraid of do it again, the next will be better, if we believe what we do

What is your day to day look like?

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

How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?

MB : i follow social media, and some inspiration designers in magazines

How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?

MB : simplicity and usability

How do you decide if your design is ready?

MB : when i look, and i said, i like it with any doubt

What is your biggest design work?

MB : DNA house

Who is your favourite designer?

MB : Santiago Calatrava

Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?

MB : I live and Lisbon and i love it. i born in the interior of Portugal, Elvas , the best place of Portugal. I am living in Lisbon and Porto. i am doing a house called DNA, that its for me , and for Sabrab the best house we design, and its is stealing from me all the free time

Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?

MB : make the houses the most engaging in nature, in a minimalist nature, and that do not touch nature. the pieces must be light, minimalist, which give visual and tactile pleasure to the wearer

What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?

MB : we have a program of interaction with young people to understand how we work

What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?

MB : the recognition of a lifetime's work

Miguel Barbas Profile