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Material Truths – An Interview with Marco Sousa Santos
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A career driven by material exploration, curiosity, and a design philosophy formed by discipline, instinct, and the world around us.

“Aesthetics of a product emerges from structure, from the harmony of form and function, and from the pursuit of balance between beauty and utility."

From early dreams of becoming a musician to becoming one of Portugal’s most distinctive product designers, his journey has been defined by curiosity, resilience, and a relentless commitment to “good design.” As Portugal’s contemporary design culture evolved, Marco Sousa Santos carved out a vocabulary of his own — one grounded in the deep understanding and knowledge of materials, the essential balance between structure and emotion, and a belief that inspiration is to be found everywhere: in nature, in craft, in travel, and in the quiet gestures of everyday life.

For the last edition of Lisbon Design Week, Marco Sousa Santos showed an exhibition that spans 15 years of his chair creation journey — pieces that reveal the evolution of a practice shaped by technical exploration, historical references, and a deep respect for the craftsmen who bring each project to life.

In this conversation, we sat down with Marco Sousa Santos to explore his creative process, his approach to materiality, the role of cultural identity, and the broader question of what it means to design today.

When did the world of objects and design first capture your attention?

In fact, when I was young, I wanted to be an artist or a musician. Before university I was already drawing a lot and studying music — I wanted to be a rock/pop singer. My choice of a creative path evolved naturally until I discovered design as an alternative to fine arts or architecture.

You studied Product Design at the University of Lisbon. Can you tell us a little about those university years? What was the architecture and design landscape like at the time?

I studied Design at the University of Lisbon at a time when Portugal was completely outside the European design map. We had to go to Barcelona, Paris, or London to see design exhibitions, so everything happening in Portugal felt irrelevant.

Only one key figure was shaping the first design movement in Lisbon — Manuel Reis, with Loja da Atalaia, the restaurant Pap’Açorda, and his bar Frágil. Together, these spaces created a strong influence on Lisbon’s new popular and contemporary culture.

Manuel Reis was the great Art Director of Lisbon’s new nightlife.

Your first major design initiative in Portugal was Proto Design, in 1991. How did it begin, what were its main goals?

Proto Design emerged in response to the lack of design culture at the time.

What led you to work in interior design?

The choice was design in general; interiors came along the way. I am, in fact, a product designer, although I design exhibitions, interiors, and graphics. In Portugal, a designer must be versatile otherwise it’s very difficult to find work.

Is there any project that marked your career?

There are several meaningful projects, but none stands above the rest. Each project is different and comes with its own challenges.

How would you describe your design style?

Design is not defined by styles. A designer who doesn’t “play” with styles becomes monotonous. A product designer like me, who works for industry, should be guided by the principles of “good design”: rationality, sustainability, and beauty. In communication design, the approach is different, because two-dimensional design often requires a stylistic strategy based on the product being developed. Interiors follow a similar process.

Do you incorporate current design trends in your work?

No — and yes.

What is your creative process? Where do you find inspiration?

Inspiration comes from the world, from others, from visual culture, nature, art. Wherever each person finds their references.

How do you balance aesthetics with functionality?

Aesthetics of a product emerges from structure, from the harmony of form and function, and from the pursuit of balance between beauty and utility.

How do you choose materials and finishes?

Many of my projects are defined by the challenge posed by the material itself. I have always explored the technical and natural possibilities of materials, testing until I arrive at something I consider new. Normally I select materials based on the factory and technology available.

Are there designers or architects who inspire you?

Nature and the entire world of material culture are part of what inspires me.

What are your goals for the future of your design career?

Gardening — and the good life.

What were the biggest challenges throughout your career?

Continuing to design at all times. When I didn’t have clients, I became my own client. I’ve always been proactive, and that’s why I’ve succeeded.

What advice would you give someone starting in interior design?

Travel a lot and get to know the world as much as possible, as well as its cultural differences. Travel and curiosity are, subconsciously, at the centre of the creative process.

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