product designer diogo carvalho
Diogo Carvalho is only 26 years old, but already he is creative director of European lighting company, Delightfull. Born and based in Portugal, he started out studying engineering but switched courses to design at the Politecnico di Milano in Italy. At age 24 one of his designs was showcased at Mason & Objet. Today he is overseeing a team of designers, and doing his part to revive the Portugese arts and craft industry.
Which five words best describe you? Persistent, fearless, creative, dreamer, irreverent.
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? My career kick-started when I designed a table for Boca do Lobo (Royal table, Limited Edition) that was selected to be displayed at Maison & Objet 2010 as a trend for that year. In the same month, I was promoted to the head designer at Delightfull | Unique lamps, and got specialised on lighting design since then.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Treat people in the same way you would like to be treated yourself.
What’s your proudest career achievement? More than designing a product, my proudest career achievement was to make Delightfull the freshest lighting design brand in the market where I had to think not only about product design, but coordinate a talented team composed by graphic and web designers, a photographer, a marketer and make a great investment in design events across Europe.
What’s been your best decision? Starting to study design, travelling two months around Europe by train and studying abroad in Milan, Italy.
Who inspires you? Chris Bangle, Tom Ford, Steve Jobs and Cristiano Ronaldo.
What are you passionate about? I am passionate about life, design and contemporary art.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Amy Winehouse
What dream do you still want to fulfill? To revive the Portuguese arts and crafts industry and to be internationally recognized by its quality and creativity.
What are you reading? The 4 hour work week by Timothy Ferriss, given by a good friend and designer – Gonçalo Campos
images courtesy of delightfull