Diego Olivero is an award-winning designer from Guatemala known for his impactful visual storytelling through artisanal craftsmanship, color, texture, and sustainability. The founder of Diego Olivero Studio, Diego’s work is a blend of traditional craftsmanship, modern design, and sustainability, with a focus on supporting and preserving local artisans. He has collaborated with artisans from Latin America and other countries, co-founding Meso Goods, a boutique that promotes fair wages and economic empowerment for artisan families. Diego has received recognition and awards for his innovative interpretations of local tradition, including being inducted into the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative and winning medals at the London Design Biennale and World Biennale of Interior Designers. His work has also been included in the collection of the State Department of the United States. Learn more about Diego Olivero in today’s Maker Monday.
Tela de Barro is a unique textile piece crafted by hand using traditional Barro Rojo (red clay) from Guatemala.
Andrew Joseph: Describe your design style as if you were explaining it to someone who cannot see.
Diego Olivero: My design style is inspired by ancestral cultural techniques with a modern approach. The use of artisanal materials throughout the spaces and products I design bring a rich textural feel to the space, I would ask the person who cannot see to feel and touch the space/object.
AJ: What is something you hope to see trending in design in the future?
DO: True artisan craft reflected at all levels of design and across all mediums, traditions upheld, and sustainable and safe jobs for artisans and their families.
Shapes Collage Chair – A mix of modern beaded icons inspired by nature and Mayan culture. Each one-of-a-kind chair is handcrafted by artisans and celebrates the vibrant culture + indigenous craft of Lake Atitlán, Guatemala.
AJ: What would your dream project or dream client be right now?
DO: Large scale installation piece in a public space, celebrating the craftsmanship of stone carvers in marble.
AJ: How would you define your work in three words?
DO: Modern, thoughtful, and sustainable.
AJ: Has there been a shift in what clients are requesting post-covid?
DO: Clients want authentic, original pieces from artists and artisans focusing on a sustainable collaboration where our clients are engaged with the space or product.
Triangular Wall Piece – inspired by La Sierra Madre and the mountainous terrain that connects Guatemala and Honduras.
AJ: Where is the first place you want to travel now that everything is opening up?
DO: I’ve always been amazed by India with its culture and craftsmanship. Fortunately, I got to experience that last year. Now I would say Brazil is number one on my list!
AJ: What’s a new hobby/skill that you have learned recently?
DO: Stonework with artisans in India for a new line of objects, lamps, and furniture. It will be available this fall!
Driven by curiosity and admiration for craftsmanship, Diego has worked with artisans from Peru, Guatemala, Mexico, India, Philippines, Kenya, Thailand, Madagascar, and co-founded Meso Goods, a curated boutique that features objects made by over 550 designers and artisans from Latin America. Meso Goods partners directly with artisans to create fair wages and empower men and women in rural areas of Latin America and beyond. Their products are distributed in over 20 countries through museums, retail stores, and exhibitions, contributing to sustainable economic development for artisan families.
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