Joaquim Januário is a product designer whose practice is grounded in a thoughtful consideration of the social systems and traditions behind design.

 

His approach is shaped by the contrast between his roots, growing up immersed in the raw, resource-rich natural heritage, where traditional knowledge persists, and the complexities of urban life.

He seeks to explore how this dialogue between rural tradition and the contemporary world can inform his methodology.

 

Product Design

Creative Direction

PHD Research

Porto, Portugal

Awards/Invitations:
Rometti Award, Trienal of Milan, Italy 2021
Descomunal, Porto 2023
Design a Prémio, Oeiras Parque 2025
The New Design Generation, Lisbon Design Week 2025

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Systems

Connections only make sense if they have a purpose. They all work towards a certain function and purpose. The nervous system, for example, represents a communications network of our own organism. It has the function of picking up messages, stimuli from the environment, interpreting and filing them away. This whole complex apparatus only makes sense if we know the importance of a system. It is based on this way of thinking, on the cooperation between beings, that I tried to design these pieces. The shapes and the decorations are common features that only make sense if they are in syntony. These objects are a set of decorative ceramic pieces made for Ceramiche Rometti. The objective is for these pieces to establish a close relationship between them. They only make sense to be used together.

 

Award
Rometti Award, Triennale in Milan

 

Material
Ceramics and Gold

 

Dimensions
440 x 403MM

 

Production
Ceramiche Rometti, Italy

 

2022