DESIGNERS QA: DOMKAPA

* In partnership with Domkapa.

Domkapa is the epitome of luxury and comfort. The Portuguese upholstery brand has been creating the most beautiful and exclusive furniture since it was founded in 2009 as a Private Label, and none of it would be possible without its talented design team. Whether it’s a coffee table or a modular sofa, you can guarantee that the designs are both beautiful and functional. How do I know? Well, I had the pleasure to experience their divine creations firsthand at Decorex 2022 and also in the comfort of my own home more recently (read my review of the Pearl armchair here). Working with the brand has definitely been the biggest professional highlight of 2022 for me.

Intrigued by their designs, and how they incorporate comfort and customisation in everything they do, I had an opportunity to chat with their brilliant design team, consisting of Hélder Costa and José Almeida, who have been working together at Domkapa since September 2020. I especially love the insight they’ve given us into their rigorous design process and how they both share the same vision for their designs. That certainly explains Domkapa’s success and why clients keep coming back for more.

Now let’s hear it from Hélder and José..

How did you get into design?

Hélder: Our paths to design were similar but slightly different, thanks to our huge passion for product design and mission to change people’s lives in a whole new way. We met at high school and became friends very early on, as we were so similar when it came to design and arts. Then I went to college and graduated as an Industrial Designer while José started working in the furniture business as a CAD designer and learned more about design on his own. After gaining some professional experience in the product design world, we were reunited again to work together at Domkapa.

What inspired you to create the pieces for Domkapa’s new collection?

The furniture world is getting bigger every day and it’s very hard to make something unique and appealing for everyone. So, we decided to focus on the essence of design: functionality, and aesthetics. To create a perfect blend, we wanted to combine the craftsmanship of our artisans, the quality of our materials, and Domkapa’s visual DNA. The result is timeless, detailed, and very comfortable upholstered pieces.

Can you tell us more about the creative process at Domkapa?

Our creative process is simple, but it requires a proper preparation. First, we make an internal analysis of our current products and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of every model. We try to understand whether we can improve them and if they can be made more versatile or functional. After that, we combine all the data consisting of the needs and requirements of our clients given to us by our sales and marketing team. They are the closest to our clients and can pass on their perspective better than anyone else. Also, we carry out research within the industry so that we can understand trends and whether we can integrate them within our products. Only after this, we are ready to start the creative process knowing which products are our client’s favourites and which ones could be improved. We also need to understand how we can improve our new designs, and what products clients are looking for at the moment. Data is such an important part of the process that we start with getting as much information as possible and then let our creativity do the rest.

What’s your favourite piece in the new collection and why?

This is an easy one. The Edward sofa, for sure. It is elegant, versatile, functional and so comfortable! It is the one that doesn’t steal the show, being very minimalist, but fulfills all the needs in one home sofa for every occasion. We’ll both get one, for sure!

How do you incorporate sustainability in design at Domkapa?

The design process always has sustainability in mind. We work with local suppliers, and we are always looking for sustainable materials and sources; we try to optimise manufacturing processes and reduce the materials used for packaging while guaranteeing protection during shipping. Above all, our goal is to design quality products with timeless designs. This way, they will always be in demand and will last a very long time.

What interior trends should we watch out for in 2023?

Soft shapes, natural fibers (such as bouclé, linen, and cotton), and warm colours will still be trending this year. Our clients are the ones you’ve got to keep an eye on. We just offer them products that allow them to express themselves and help them apply their vision to interior design projects.

Do you have any exciting new product launches planned for 2023/2024?

For now, we have finished the 2023 collection with some new products that we think will be well-received by the market. We are so excited to see these new pieces in our clients’ projects because they will change how people live. For 2024, we have big plans and ambitions to take the next big step with our new collection. A long, challenging, and exciting year is ahead of us, and we are ready for it!

And finally, what advice would you give to your younger self?

If we could give some advice to our younger selves, it would be: “Allow yourself to make mistakes. They will make you stronger, wiser, and more professional. Mistakes will make you better every day.” After all, everyone makes mistakes and that’s what makes us human, right? We also believe that the mistakes we have made in the past, have made us the professionals we are today, and we hope that we can keep learning and growing with this amazing brand that has given us the opportunity to be part of a team full of amazing professionals.

Domkapa will be exhibiting and launching their new collection at Maison & Objet, between January 19-23 in Paris. This is a major event for design professionals, so make sure to head over to Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition centre to admire Domkapa’s new 2023 collection in Hall 6, stand H63.