Cidália Abreu, Joana Matos, Sofia Gomes and of course, the cat, Tobias are Oupas!, A small graphic design studio that is most recognized for its work in cardboard, but that has other facets in terms of sustainable design. A business idea that was born from the will of three young ladies who were initially supported by the incubator "studio 118" of the Superior School of Studies of Industries and Management (SSSIM), in Vila do Conde.
How does your tri-partnership? In what context?
Cidália Abreu: We met in college, while we took the course in Graphic Design and Advertising, and that's where we understand that we function well as a team, we share the same ideas and values.
Joana Matos: Early on we shared the desire after finishing the course, and when the opportunity arose, to come together and create our own graphic design project. And that's what happened.
Sofia Gomes: The Post-college is never easy and the job search becomes so long as bleak and that was the panorama, so we decided that while we were waiting was a good idea to try to get our dream on track and if it work out: good if not it would have an interesting experience to add to the curriculum. Oupas! Come on! Shortly after we finished college we talk to our teachers and of course they gave us a room in exchange for services for school to start our adventure. We, therefore, were newcomers in the incubator "studio 118" in SSSIM.
Why create 3D environments card? What attracts you in this type of material?
CA: The card came in a very natural way. There began the Oupas! We did not think that we were going to focus on this or that material, in this or that area, just the chain led us to this coast. One day, after we walk through Rua Miguel Bombarda to "walk" some our work, they offered us the chance to decorate the interior of the storefront of the shopping center Bombarda and we accede to this request with a lot of goodwill and out there we would launch our manifesto , what we believed in and what we believed is important in our way of working. By chance the material that we had more in our workshop (at the time we were still in the incubator), were exactly the card and then made a typographical composition of this material. And it was there that he began "craziness" of the card. After the manifesto we did a stage for TEDxYouth @ Porto that was such a success that two weeks later took us to Lisbon in collaboration with Ivity to make one of our best-known projects: the card city. From there we began received more and more request with this material to the point that we are more known by the card, other than by our design services.
What are the main challenges when creating concepts on paper?
JM: The biggest challenges arise mainly by the size of the project. When we have to make life-sized homes, for example, is what takes us more time and energy, but are also the most rewarding, especially on a personal level. This is because such concepts imply techniques and materials that are not used to dealing in particular with structures that maintain large pieces of cardboard standing. We have to climb the scaffolding and act as true builders with hammers and nails holding pieces of cardboard (which are heavier than they look) and keep everything up to the days of display. It is a challenge for 3 girls without any experience in construction, but we managed to get away and do a good job. Another type of challenge that pulls very well for us, but at another level is the animation video. Thinking of a visual history with head, trunk and limbs is a very interesting intellectual challenge and the execution of that idea on paper or paperboard only makes it even more fun. We had great training in animation, just the basics, and the challenge is to overcome this base and make something interesting.
What is the weight that environmental issues have in your project?
SG: The Oupas! was designed from day one as a sustainable graphic design studio, and everything we do is designed and thought to be as sustainable as possible, both in terms of material, technical and economic. In college we had a good education at that level since Joan did her thesis on sustainable design, so come well prepared to proceed with a green project.
What was the project that gave you the most joy?
CA: All projects give us joy. There is not a favorite. Each brings us things we love and makes us grow in a different way. When you love what you do, it cannot be different.
In addition to the card what other materials you used or already use in your projects?
JM: Anything that can be repurposed. The card is usually what the customer asks for already be accustomed to this kind of material, but if we launch ourselves the challenge we like to think of other solutions.
Is there feminine design or not?
SG: There is design from all and for all. As women, our feminism always ends up transpose in our work, but not always so premeditated.
What are the next targets of your design studio?
CA: The main objective is to get keep us true to ourselves and continue to do what we like. While we're fine. Moreover, we intent to internationalize the brand a little more and also to distinguish Oupas-card and Oupa-graphic design.
Oupas why?
SG: Because we cannot stop. We have to go ahead and continue to fight for our dream. "Oupas" is an expression of Porto, of our city, which means "Come on!" And this word perfectly defines our attitude, and even more that binds us to our favorite city and what inspires us every day.
https://vimeo.com/oupasdesign
Qual foi o projecto que mais gozo vós deu?
CA: Todos os projectos nos dão gozo. Não há um favorito. Cada um nos traz coisas que adoramos e nos faz crescer de uma maneira diferente. Quando se gosta do que se faz, não pode ser diferente.
Para além do cartão que outros materiais pretendem usar ou já utilizam nos vossos projectos?
JM: Tudo o que possa ser reaproveitado temos em conta. O cartão costuma ser o que o cliente pede por já estar habituado a esse tipo de peças, mas se nos lançarem o desafio gostamos de pensar noutras soluções.
Existe design no feminino ou não?
SG: Existe design de todos e para todos. Como mulheres, o nosso feminismo acaba sempre por se transpor no nosso trabalho, mas nem sempre de forma premeditada.
Quais são os próximos objectivos do vosso atelier de design?
CA: O objectivo principal é conseguirmos manter-nos fiéis a nós próprias e continuar a fazer o que gostamos. Enquanto o fizermos estamos bem. Além disso, temos intenções de internacionalizar um pouco mais a marca e também de distinguir o Oupas-cartão do Oupas-design gráfico.
Oupas porquê?
SG: Porque não podemos parar. Temos de andar em frente e continuar a lutar pelo nosso sonho. “Oupas” é uma expressão do Porto, da nossa cidade, que significa “Vamos lá!” e esta palavra define perfeitamente a nossa atitude, além de que nos liga ainda mais à nossa cidade favorita e a que nos inspira todos os dias.
https://vimeo.com/oupasdesign
