A Jack of all Trades: A story about Designer and Futurist André Barbeto
September 2018
“It’s not as busy as Sydney down here, especially in winter. I’m sure I’ve seen all the tourist sites around Canberra at least ten times,” André says.
I jump into André’s cream-white Fiat, and he drives past Canberra’s Capital Hill, before turning towards the Australian National University.
The drive from Sydney to Australia’s capital, Canberra, takes about three hours on a good run, and today, I find myself lucky to make it here before noon. The only downside is that it is the middle of winter, and with every kilometre south from Sydney, the temperature continues to drop.
I haven’t seen André since we both graduated from our undergraduate program in 2016. It seems like he hasn’t aged a bit: his olive skin still vital, his haircut faded in style, and sneaking in a smile whenever he can.
“I’m actually not working at the moment. It’s kind of difficult because I have all these things I’ve already done, but I can’t get the opportunity to showcase them because I still count as an international student,” he says.
If André hadn’t told me this, I would not have guessed that there was even a hint of stress in his life from his cheery demeanour, especially since the wait to find work has been three months.
André Barbeto was born in São Paulo, Brazil. Growing up in a protestant church within a bustling city, he was always willing to offer a helping hand where it was required.
“Curiosity inspires me, and it’s always tethered to helping others and bringing change,” André says.
Through this time, he acquired skills in graphic design, and became an accomplished keyboard player in the church band.
“I’ve never seen myself just as a graphic designer, or even just as a keyboard player, but more of a creative thinker in general,” he says.
In 2012, he moved to Sydney, Australia to study theology, expanding his worldview and then finishing it in 2016. He then went on to study a Masters in Design at the University of New South Wales, in the Paddington Campus, which was formerly the College of Fine Arts. During his time in Sydney, he picked up videography to compliment his photography skills, and also started a project called J R N L S, which gives select individuals a platform to share their journey.
For André, creativity stretches to everything he does.
“I’ve read many times that it takes 10,000 hours to become a master of one thing, but that’s just not me; I can’t sit still and spend 10,000 hours on just one thing,” he says, as he parks the car in a very spacious spot in his university’s car park.
Many say that a jack of all trades ends up becoming a master of none.
“…Maybe trying to do many things at once works against me. When I go in for job interviews they see that I have a wide range of experience, but it’s not specific enough for what they want. It’s frustrating because deep within me, I know that I have something to offer.”
When we experience life, we enter a web of complex problems, situations and moments that require our response. We try to solve these by looking back at past mistakes, or look to the materials we have at hand. A futurist applies this type of problem-solving at a macro level by looking at trends that could benefit or tarnish society in coming years, and then seek to convey this through the medium of their expertise.[1] More recently, futurists have been getting attention thanks to the likes of theoretical physicist Michio Kaku, and writers like Arthur C Clarke making concepts of the future easily accessible to the general public. Be it personal, or communal, each of our decisions weaves itself into the fabric of time, reaching far into places we could never imagine.
The cold chill becomes a distant memory as we enter the school of arts & design campus. André leads the way through the quiet halls, and up towards the typography room.
“Let me show you what I’m currently working on,” he says. There are numerous paintings hanging from the walls: some impressionist, others of monochromatic shading, and some, just plain peculiar: there is no doubt that every inch of creativity is being pushed in this university.
After seeing the paintings, it only seems natural to ask André how his own process of creativity is set in motion.
“I never look at just the specifics when designing an object; to me the most important thing is figuring out how in particular it will help other people,” he replies.
“It’s not about reinventing the wheel is it?” I ask.
He nods. “A lot of designers are concerned with the aesthetic of what they’re making, which is fine, but for me personally there’s something about social justice that drives me. Living for others gives me fulfilment in the life I live and the things I do. So it naturally flows into what I do.”
This fusion of André’s passion for social justice and knack for creativity is clearly seen in his portfolio of work. There is the Ear Shell, which acts as a low-tech alternative to the traditional medical device as a hearing aid, and can be reimagined as a futuristic piece of jewellery. Then there is the Z project: a possible system designed to promote sustainable living by changing the consumption methods in a household. And finally, André’s favourite work to date, the mud lamp, which uses both natural and digital materials that could provide light to many who do not have access to such a necessary commodity.
“Tell me more about the Mud Lamp?” I insist, as I follow him through yet another dark corridor, and into a room filled with printing presses made of both heavy steel and wood.
“It’s what I’m most proud of in all my work, mostly because of its function, but also because of the symbolic nature of its design. I actually had to learn how batteries are made to finish that project. It’s that moment of falling deeper into a rabbit hole: I first got a glimpse of how one thing worked, and then as a result wanted to know how the next thing worked that would affect what I had just learned, and so on.” André manages a chuckle at the memory.
Our ideas, no matter how small, are never insignificant. Whether they could contribute to something physically or theoretically, they must be shared. They have as much potential as a light hidden underneath a basket waiting to be revealed.
André shows me some old typewriters he has been using in his typography class.
“Why did you take typography?”
“I was actually expecting to learn how letters are drawn, but the class is doing something with ink and the printing press.” André places his hand on a lever. “But you know…I’m always up for learning something new.”
“How do you try to consolidate everything you learn?” I ask.
“Theology really taught me a lot when it comes to understanding futurology: the past and present are important, but what you’re becoming is more important, because as you understand who you are, you get to play your part in affecting possibilities.”
“As a futurist, what do you think the best way is for someone to create change in our society?”
“Change will begin with community: an idea might begin with a person, but it needs others for it to gain traction.”
“What are the things you’re most excited to see in the future?” I ask.
He lets a smile sneak through. “I don’t think it’s all about inventions and objects… what’s more important is us figuring out our identities.” He twiddles his thumbs. “Helping others understand who they are and their place in the grand scheme of life, will shift their mindset to make an impact in every sphere around them. To me, that’s more important.”
André takes me outside to a garden where there are numerous inventions and sculptures scattered in the grass and pathways. We stop in front of a kiln, and he picks up a piece of a chopped tree trunk.
“I really fell in love with woodworking doing my design course. To see that something like this…” He turns the piece of wood in his hand. “…Can have so many possibilities. That fascinates me.”
He stares at the piece of wood, ideas roiling through his erudite mind.
I don’t interrupt his chain of thought, as it seems he is at peace.
Maybe the moment is the genesis of another invention.
As the old saying actually goes, ‘A jack of all trades is a master of none, but often times better than a master of one.’
To see more of André’s work, visit: https://andrebarbeto.com/all-creations
[1] Joseph Coates and Jennifer Jarratt, What Futurists Believe, Lomond Publications Inc. Maryland, 1989 p.3
Words and Photos by: S.I. Finlayson
Editor: Jenny Jaakkola and Annie Tonkin
Model & Subject: André Barbeto