about me

In the environment I grew up in, art is more than just a passion; it is a legacy. My father and mother are true art enthusiasts, and I, Ana Marta Coutinho (AMC), I was deeply influenced by this environment.

My journey was in science and technology, however, descriptive geometry, my tastes for design, art, construction, and architecture, led me to interior design.

It was a 5-year adventure, driven by the relentless desire to draw. This impulse became a way of thinking and creating.

When this adventure ended, amidst a cloud of ideas, my will and ambition spoke louder, and the long-held dream prevailed – the desire to work for myself, going against the trend of following a job where routine reigns. To me, this means an act of freedom and the possibility to transform a hobby into something more, a continuous journey of creation and inspiration. Always with the perspective that my creations, somewhere in time, will be a source of inspiration for others.

Academic Background

• Bachelor's Degree in Interior Design – ESAD Matosinhos
• Master's Degree in Interior Design – ESAD Matosinhos
  • Dissertation: Desenhar o Espaço pelas Ideias. O Esquisso como Fio Condutor do Projeto

This dissertation investigates the practice of sketching in interior design and architecture, analyzing five case studies: João Mendes Ribeiro, Guilherme Machado Vaz, Désirée Pedro (Atelier do Corvo), Filipe Magalhães (Fala Atelier) e Eleonora Fedi. Through interviews and selected projects, the importance of sketching in the design process is revealed, both for the designer and for the development of the spatial design process.

Awards and Recognitions

• 1st Prize in the competition “A Tua Ideia Faz Parte” – Brasília Shopping Center, Porto

Exhibitions and Publications

• Exhibition The Museum of Vibrant Matter – Porto Design Biennale
• Project Petites Folies selected for the São Paulo Architecture Biennale – Educational Call 'Tramas e Costuras'
• Article about Petites Folies published in the magazine UOU Scientific Journal

Workshops and Participation

• Workshop Petites Folies
• Workshop Local Mat(t)erialities
• Participation in Roca One Day Design Challenge – Portugal