Imagem de uma pessoa colocando uma tábua de sandboard em uma parede, com várias escadas coloridas ao fundo.

Designing physical and digital products involves a parallel approach in some stages, rooted in design thinking, user research, prototyping, and usability testing. The intricate process focuses on crafting solutions seamlessly integrated into users' lives. Here, I showcase some physical products because the principles learned in designing them significantly contribute to my digital design expertise.

Vermicasota

Drawing a vermicomposter was an exciting challenge, given my passion for plants. The brief, though demanding due to various production constraints, became even more intricate as the product, designed for growing edible vegetables, had to meet strict material compliance standards.

Client: Noocity
Design: Filipa Mendes and Gustavo Macedo
Year: 2017

Develop a dismountable vermicomposter suitable for use on three sizes of the Noocity Growbeds, enabling the production of high-quality compost. The product should also be designed to be sent in a flat case for efficient shipping.

Briefing

A vermicomposter crafted from laser-cut stainless steel plates, assembled with tabs and grooves. The roof-shaped lid ensures effective water drainage, meeting 'flat case' criteria and food safety standards.

Solution

Desenho de uma criança com roupas destacadas para recorte, incluindo um chapéu, camisetas e uma calça. Ao lado, há várias roupas cortadas prontas para montar, como vestidos, camisetas, calça, e um acessório de cabelo

Inspiration

Fundo de metal com aberturas verticais e uma tampa na parte superior, possivelmente uma caixa ou recipiente de armazenamento.
Criança plantando mudas em um jardim elevado com duas pessoas ao fundo, uma usando casaco verde e outra com jaqueta azul, dentro de uma cerca de proteção.
Mão segurando uma larva no solo ao lado de uma planta com folhas verdes.
Pessoa cuidando de hortas em uma cobertura com vista para uma cidade moderna com prédios altos e árvores tropicais.

© Photos: Noocity


Pendura
Coat Stand

Pendura is one of the products I love most in the Galula collection. The reason I cherish it so much is because it embodies its essence, refined yet highly functional and beautiful.

To design a coat stand that aligns with the brand identity of the Galula collection. The piece should exude a sense of playfulness while maintaining a minimalistic design, ensuring ease of shipment abroad.

Briefing

Solution

A minimalistic design piece composed of three wooden blocks with carved notches. The piece effortlessly stands on the wall without the need for screws. The five available colors complement the Galula product collection.

Suportes coloridos com roupas e sapatos, de madeira e metal, em uma parede branca.
Variedade de cabides coloridos na parede, incluindo preto, verde, azul, vermelho e amarelo.

© Photos: Filipa Mendes


Time Capsule

Invited by Barbara Coutinho, the curator of the MUDE Museum, Galula brand was challenged to design a Time Capsule for the upcoming kickoff of the official commemorations of the 50th anniversary of the Carnation Revolution.

Design a time capsule, capable of during 50 years and storage a couple of objects. It should be in a sustainable material.

Briefing

Caixa de papelão hexagonal com inscrições relativas a comemorações em 50 anos e 25 de abril, vista de frente, ao lado de outra caixa de papelão1

With only 4 weeks to design, produce and deliver we opted to adapt an exitence product of Galula collection.

Solution

Militares e civis assistem a uma cerimônia com uma pessoa de uniforme militar colocando uma caixa em uma plataforma, com orquestra ao fundo e veículos militares ao lado, em ambiente de cerimonia oficial.
Homem vestindo terno e máscara, colocando cédulas em uma urna de votação de madeira em um ambiente com várias pessoas ao fundo.

© Photos: Cláudia Teixeira


PIH
Chair & Table

The brief to design this chair and table was very interesting, because we had to respond to a space already designed by FAHR 021.3. The chair shape has to work well when placed with multiple ones. The table has to work with single use or joined with other. We apply to the same colors pallete as the space, to a better blend and not stand out to much.

Client: FAHR 021.3
Design: Filipa Mendes
and Gustavo Macedo
Year: 2016

The challenge of designing this chair and table was compelling, given the need to complement an existing space crafted by FAHR 021.3. The chair's design had to ensure harmonious arrangements when placed together. The table, versatile for single or joined use, was intended for various scenarios.

Briefing

To a perfect adoption of these pieces to the space we choose to make it by matching the colors to the space. In the design we opted to a wire stucture of the chair and table to give a sense of lighting alied with a rounded wood shapes.

Solution

Sala de eventos ou conferências com cadeiras dispostas em filas, paredes decoradas com arte urbana, pessoas ajustando equipamento, iluminação de teto e janela com vista de rua com carro.
Reunião ou palestra em uma sala com várias pessoas, algumas sentadas de frente para uma tela de projeção, outras de pé. A sala tem um ambiente moderno, com visores de tela grande nas paredes e iluminação suspensa no teto.

Client: Galula
Design: Filipa Mendes and Gustavo Macedo
Year: 2014


© Photos: Porto Inovation Hub

More Physical Products that I designed.