Jader Almeida was born in 1981 in the state of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil. At the age of 16 he had his first contact with the furniture industry, beginning his involvement with the entire production process.
He worked for the company LinBrasil, editor of the furniture collection signed for recognized architects and designers, experience that enabled him a great understanding of design and production techniques.
Since 2004 he develops unique products for Brazilian and foreign industries, with his primary partner brand SOLLOS from Santa Catarina. In 2013, joins the team of designers of the german brand ClassiCon.
Graduated in architecture, with award-winning pieces in major national and international design competitions, Jader Almeida has gained increasing prominence and continues improving his work with his participation in exhibitions, technical visits and courses in several countries.
He also works on architectural projects commercial and residential, developed in his office in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina.
INTERVIEW
What does design mean for you? What is design in your life?
Design is a way of live, it’s to be able to conceive and materialize an idea or a dream. Everything I do in my life, everything I think related to design is a hobby and you can’t decouple it from work.
Please describe the changes in design over the last 20 years.
Design is related to the way of life, how one sees and evaluates things or a certain political or economic moment. I also notice that technology influences design in everyday living, hence I can say some of the most important changes are in this field.
I see that in my country for instance, in the latest years due to the increase on the purchase power and the access to information, people are more concerned about having good products as a whole, so design becomes a protagonist.
Which designers/architects have influenced your work the most?
There are masters that inspire, that create pathways…
Some modernist architects such as: Joaquin Tenreiro, Jorge Zalzupin, Sergio Rodrigues, to mention some have had influence on me.
However, I look to observe several areas, not only design and architecture, I believe everything that surrounds has some influences on me somehow.
What item have you envied because of its design?
I feel no envy or jealousy. Sometimes when I see something as a simples and brilliant solution, I think to myself “why didn’t I think of it before?” It’s a good and motivating sensation.
Do you believe that design assists in the creation of a “better” world?
I believe design is a means… With a wider look, where the designer helps people’s lives in several different sectors: esthetics, functional, I conclude that happy and satisfied people make a better world.
Should design be more inexpensive or does it deserve to be paid for at a high price?
I don’t see prices, as a whole, under the same optics. I see some products at high prices mostly related to the brand’s strategies, material and how it’s been manufactured. However, I see good examples of good products at reasonable prices.
What led you to become involved in design?
My perspective has always been in this field. I was lucky to start working early and be able to understand various processes related to design.
Youngsters usually have issues about their professional future, what they are going to do and their carriers. For me, it has always been plain that I would pursue a carrier in this area.
If you were not an architect, what other profession would you have chosen?
Nowadays I can’t think of any other profession, but surely, it would be something related to the creation field.
