Nathália Cristina de Souza Vilela Telis

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Nathália Cristina de Souza Vilela Telis ("NCDSVT") for their original perspective and innovative approach to design as well as their creative lifestyle, we are very pleased to share our interview with our distinguished readers.

DL: Could you please tell us a bit about your design background and education?

NCDSVT : I am an architect and urban planner, founder of Nathália Vilela Architecture and Design. I have over eight years of experience in high-end residential, commercial, and interior design. I graduated in Architecture and Urbanism in Brazil and have participated in international consultancies, projects in Chicago, Portugal, and Dubai.

DL: What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?

NCDSVT : I am motivated by the possibility of transforming spaces and people's lives through architecture. Design is my way of expressing ideas that connect beauty, functionality, and emotion.

DL: Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?

NCDSVT : I chose to become a designer, but my path evolved over time. As a child, I dreamed of becoming a teacher, and later, I aspired to be a pilot in the Brazilian Air Force. However, after not being admitted to the military school, I discovered my passion for architecture. From the age of 17, architecture became my true vocation and professional choice.

DL: What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?

NCDSVT : I primarily design high-end residential interiors. My goal is to increasingly elevate the standard of my projects, creating even more sophisticated, personalized, and meaningful living spaces.

DL: What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?

NCDSVT : Young designers should focus on authenticity, consistency, and resilience. They must never stop learning and refining their own voice in design. It’s important not to blindly follow trends and to always prioritize the client’s needs and dreams over personal ego or self-expression.

DL: What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?

NCDSVT : A good designer solves problems effectively. A great designer goes beyond functionality, creating emotional connections and memorable experiences. Great designers have a deep understanding of their clients' needs, maintain authenticity in their work, and pursue excellence consistently, without losing sight of purpose and meaning

DL: What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?

NCDSVT : A truly good design is one that balances functionality, aesthetics, and emotional impact. It must serve its purpose efficiently, inspire those who experience it, and maintain a timeless quality. I evaluate a design based on how well it meets the client's needs, how it connects emotionally, and how authentically it represents its context and purpose.

DL: What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?

NCDSVT : A really good design goes beyond functionality; it creates an emotional connection, solves real problems elegantly, and enhances the user’s experience in a memorable way. I evaluate a good design by considering how effectively it communicates its purpose, how harmoniously it integrates form and function, and how it adds value to people's lives, either through innovation, sustainability, or pure emotional impact.

DL: What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?

NCDSVT : Good design has the power to transform environments, improve quality of life, and create lasting impressions. It enhances functionality, optimizes resources, and elevates everyday experiences, often in ways that users may not consciously realize. Investing in good design means investing in efficiency, emotional well-being, and sustainability. It builds stronger connections between people and spaces, products, or services, ultimately generating greater satisfaction and long-term value.

DL: What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?

NCDSVT : My secret recipe for success in design is the combination of deep empathy, continuous curiosity, and relentless attention to detail. I immerse myself in understanding the needs and emotions of those who will experience the design, while constantly exploring new materials, technologies, and cultural references. Maintaining a balance between creative intuition and technical precision allows me to create meaningful, timeless designs that truly resonate with people.

DL: What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?

NCDSVT : I believe that every project I create is my greatest at that moment, because each one carries its own story, challenges, and inspirations. What makes me proud is the ability to translate emotions, needs, and dreams into tangible spaces that have a positive impact on people's lives. Every project pushes me to evolve, explore new possibilities, and refine my creative voice. For me, the true greatness lies in this continuous journey of growth and transformation through design.

DL: How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?

NCDSVT : To become better designers, people should cultivate empathy, curiosity, and resilience. Empathy allows us to design with real meaning, understanding the true needs of those we create for. Curiosity drives innovation and keeps the creative mind alive, pushing us to explore new materials, technologies, and cultures.

DL: If you hadn’t become a designer, what would you have done?

NCDSVT : If I hadn’t become a designer, I would have pursued my childhood dream of becoming an airplane pilot. I have always been fascinated by the idea of exploring new horizons and experiencing the world from different perspectives. The same passion for discovery, precision, and emotional connection that drives my work in design would have guided me in aviation — a profession that also demands focus, creativity, and resilience.

DL: How do you define design, what is design for you?

NCDSVT : For me, design is the art of creating meaning through form, function, and emotion. It is a dialogue between creativity and practicality, where solutions are not only functional but also capable of touching people on a deeper level

DL: Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?

NCDSVT : I am deeply grateful to my family, who always believed in my dreams even when they seemed distant or unconventional. Their unconditional support gave me the strength to persist through challenges and to pursue excellence fearlessly. Beyond them, every mentor, client, and colleague who trusted my vision has played a part in my journey. But above all, I have learned to be my own biggest supporter — believing in my purpose and resilience has been essential to reaching where I am today.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

NCDSVT : What helped me become a great designer was a combination of passion, perseverance, and an endless desire to learn and evolve. I embraced every challenge as an opportunity to grow, remained curious about different cultures, technologies, and human behaviors, and always sought to deepen my emotional and technical understanding of spaces. Consistency, self-belief, and the courage to innovate — even when it meant stepping outside of my comfort zone — were essential to shaping the designer I am today.

DL: What were the obstacles you faced before becoming a design master?

NCDSVT : One of the biggest obstacles I faced was overcoming external expectations and internal doubts. Early in my career, I had to prove not only my technical abilities but also the value of my vision in environments that often favored tradition over innovation. Building credibility, especially as a young professional, required resilience, patience, and unwavering focus. Financial limitations and limited access to global opportunities were also challenges I needed to navigate. However, each obstacle became a lesson, strengthening my determination to grow, innovate, and remain true to my creative essence.

DL: How do you think designers should present their work?

NCDSVT : Designers should present their work with clarity, authenticity, and purpose. It is essential to communicate not only the final result but also the thought process, the challenges faced, and the values that guided each decision. A strong presentation connects emotionally with the audience, highlights the relevance and impact of the design, and shows how it solves real problems. Visual quality is important, but storytelling and meaningful context are what truly make a project resonate.

DL: What’s your next design project, what should we expect from you in future?

NCDSVT : In the future, you can expect projects that challenge conventional boundaries, invite reflection, and create meaningful connections between people and the environments they inhabit. I am committed to designing not just spaces, but experiences that inspire, heal, and transform.

DL: What’s your ultimate goal as a designer?

NCDSVT : I want my work to contribute to a better, more thoughtful world, where design is a tool for healing, innovation, and human connection. Beyond creating beautiful spaces, I aim to create meaningful experiences that resonate across generations.

DL: What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?

NCDSVT : People expect an esteemed designer to create authentic connections — between people, spaces, and emotions. They seek designs that go beyond aesthetics, that tell stories, evoke feelings, and create environments where people feel seen, understood, and inspired. As a designer, I believe my role is to foster these connections, using creativity and sensitivity to transform spaces into meaningful experiences. Delivering excellence, innovation, and emotional resonance is what people expect — and what I strive to offer in every project.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

NCDSVT : Design has the power to shape behavior, promote inclusion, and improve quality of life. Thoughtful design creates environments that are accessible, sustainable, and emotionally supportive, encouraging healthier and more meaningful interactions among people.

DL: What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?

NCDSVT : I am currently working on projects that not only redesign spaces but truly transform the way families live, connect, and experience their daily lives. What excites me the most is witnessing how thoughtful design can shift an entire family’s lifestyle — bringing more functionality, comfort, emotional well-being, and a sense of belonging.

DL: Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?

NCDSVT : The projects that gave me the most satisfaction were those where I could witness a true transformation in people's lives. Projects where design not only changed the aesthetics of a space, but truly improved the way families lived, interacted, and felt within their environments. One experience that was especially meaningful to me was designing the interiors of a 90m² apartment for a family. Later, the same family entrusted me with an even greater challenge: designing the architecture and interiors of a 600m² house in a beachfront condominium. Being part of their journey, seeing how their dreams evolved, and having the opportunity to grow alongside them was truly spectacular and deeply rewarding.

DL: What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?

NCDSVT : Favorite color: Blue Favorite place: Disney World Orlando Favorite food: Beef ribs Favorite season: Spring Favorite thing: My dog daschund, Nescau.

DL: Please tell us anything you wish your fans to know about you, your design and anything else?

NCDSVT : What I would like people to know is that my journey was built from the ground up, fueled by passion, perseverance, and faith. I am the second person in my entire family to graduate from college, and through hard work and dedication — supported by my family and by my partner, who became my husband during this journey — I was able to build a successful career. I believe it is possible to create a name, earn trust, and grow a strong network of genuine connections. Today, I am known not only for the quality of my work, but for my effort, dedication, and human-centered approach. Every project is not just a design; it is a commitment to understanding, respecting, and positively transforming people's lives.