Designer

Reynaldo Maldonado, otherwise known as Zapp, is the designer and face behind ZAPPdesign.

Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1959 Zapp’s earlier years were spent living in New York, London, Brazil and Paris working as a graphic designer, set designer, and clothing designer for various surf wear companies. He spent numerous summers in south west France enjoying his passion for surfing, and doing airbrush illustrations on surfboards in Biarritz.

During these years he studied Visual Communications, Industrial Design and Philosophy, and History of Art and Architecture. He was also lucky enough to study with Victor Papanek (1927-1999), the acclaimed industrial designer and educator who became a strong advocate of socially and ecologically responsible design, an experience that influences Zapp’s work today.

It was in 1997 that Zapp’s life really hit a turning point during a publicity campaign for a Brazilian exporter of Indonesian, Indian and Chinese antiques. This experience sparked his desire to pursue a career as furniture designer combining the old of Indonesian art pieces and reclaimed wood with new more technically advanced materials.

Since then Zapp has been living and working in Bali, Indonesia where in 2000 he founded ZAPPdesign. He now designs and produces custom furniture to various private and commercial projects and surfs in his spare time.