Ney Almeida, I'M Alumnus of the Master course in Product and Furniture Design at Istituto Marangoni Milano Design, is an emerging brazilian product designer and co-founder of the product design studio Estúdio Bloco A.  

Originally from northeastern Brazil, Ney Almeida began his journey in design by studying Interior Design in his hometown. He later moved to Rio de Janeiro, where he completed a postgraduate course in Furniture Design, before moving to Milan to pursue a Master's degree in Furniture and Product Design at Istituto Marangoni Milano Design school. In 2023, Ney co-founded Estúdio Bloco A with his brother Igor, a Brazilian design studio that explores the connection between contemporary design, Brazilian culture, and traditional craftsmanship.

Since its creation, the studio has gained national and international recognition, with projects presented at events such as RoPlastic Prize by Rossana Orlandi, Paris Design Week, Venice Design Biennial, CASACOR São Paulo, CASACOR Piauí, and SP-Arte. In 2024, the studio was featured in Forbes Life Design, which described the duo as "one of the new gems of Brazilian design." Today, through collaborations with furniture brands and artisan communities, Ney continues to develop projects that bring together his international experience and his Brazilian roots, creating objects and furniture with a strong cultural identity and a contemporary approach.

Ney Almeida on Istituto Marangoni:
“Leaving Brazil to study at Istituto Marangoni in Milan, one of the most important design capitals in the world, was a very important experience in my professional journey. Being surrounded by Italian design culture helped me see design in new ways, but most importantly, it gave me the confidence to share my own ideas and start developing my own creative identity. One of the things I enjoyed most was the cultural diversity in the classroom. Studying and working with people from different countries, each bringing their own experiences, cultures, and points of view, was incredibly inspiring. This exchange of ideas, together with the school's strong connection to the design industry and the support of experienced professors, made the experience even more valuable and especially relevant to the way designers work today. I truly believe that studying Product Design abroad, especially in Milan, is a great opportunity for any young designer. It's not only about learning new skills, but also about growing as a person, becoming more confident in your work, and finding your own voice as a designer. Coming back to Brazil with this experience helped me see my own culture and roots from a different perspective. Today, I bring much of what I learned into the work I do with my brother Igor at Estúdio Bloco A, where we explore the connection between our Brazilian roots, traditional craftsmanship, and contemporary design."