Hugo Vaz

Name: Hugo Miguel Soares da Costa Vaz

Born: October 1st 1977

Home: Santa Maria da Feira , Portugal

Coming from a family with connections in the areas of art and decoration, it was perhaps natural that I  would develop an aptitude for drawing and a keen interest in the objects surrounding me.

In 2002 I graduated in Equipment Design at ESAD (School of Art and Design ) in Matosinhos, Portugal.

After graduating I began working in the field of product design and also interiors: I worked with several companies developing my creative skills and also project management/methodologies.  

In 2012, whilst continuing to work as a freelance designer, I took a Post-Graduation course in Furniture Design  and was one of the first students to attend the new Design Box studio in Paços de Ferreira (Portugal's capital of furniture).

Whilst continuing to work in the areas of interior and product design, I attained a Red Dot Award (2015) on behalf of Ama Design, with the ‘Nature! lavatory.

Also attainded a International Design Award from the Design an Design website with the “black Diamont “ a cork Bench; and the first prize of the design contest "home sweet home "with the Orga lavatory.

Also in 2015 I became the co-founder of Muski Design Studio (working with colleagues from the Post Graduation course).

In 2017 I became a member of the board of directors of the Portuguese Association of Designers.

In 2018, I successfully completed my Masters in Design, from ESMAD  (School of Media Arts and Design at P. Porto), Vila do Conde. My final project was based around the production of earth fired ceramic vessels and as part of this work I become involved in a series of workshop sessions; organised around the Greater Porto area.

In 2018, I was invited to teach on the Postgraduate course in Interior and Spatial Design, and also on the Industrial Design  degree at ESMAD.

Currently I am teaching at ESMAD and I am the Creative Director at Corkmagicians Company and designer at Muski Design Studio.