Working with the studio is a collaborative and hands-on process, where every element is considered with care. From strategy to final execution, each project unfolds through a 360° way of thinking—moving seamlessly from concept to detail, from vision to form. Nothing is generated; everything is cared into existence.

  • We don’t follow paths — we sense them. Strategy shaped by instinct, culture, foreseeing what wants to exist. We define positioning, narrative, and creative direction — building foundations that feel true before they feel right.

  • We create brands that feel like places— familiar, human, and impossible to replicate. Visual systems, typography, and language that give form to what a brand is and what it can become, through the eyes of those behind it.

  • Design you can hold. Or swipe. Printed matter that carries feeling, texture, and intention — crafted through paper, ink, and the occasional pixel.

  • We design packaging that speaks before it’s opened — not just containers but objects made to be felt. Structure, material, and graphics come together to create an experience that live beyond the shelf — or sit on it suspiciously well. We join function, creativity, and sustainability to find the best solution for any shape or type.

  • We help build collections somewhere between useful and irresistible. Objects with a tendency to linger. Plates, prints, and pieces designed to be used, displayed, and quietly obsessed over.

  • We design websites and interfaces that feel intuitive, alive, and rooted in how people actually move and feel. Digital experiences with a human pulse — designed beyond the algorithm.

  • For the love of space, we create experiences to feel, not just to see —where ideas become atmosphere. Narratives unfold through space, guiding movement, experience, and connection — a project within a project, with identity and wit.

  • If an idea is a space, this might be the right place. We design spaces as living identities — shaped by concept, emotion, and visual culture. Wayfinding, signage, and in situ installations extend the space into the imagination — clear, intuitive, and unmistakably human.

LET'S WORK TOGETHER!

A graphic practice grounded in culture, form, and design. A 360° way of thinking — from concept to detail. A clear signature — le Catarina style —where instinct meets precision.

SB // PARIS

WHAT OUT CLIENTS SAY

For me, Catarina’s way of working stands out in three very clear ways: she has a strong sense of taste and a highly contemporary aesthetic sensitivity, with the ability to quickly capture the spirit of a project and translate it into an elegant and coherent visual identity; she grasps a brief almost instantly — often just a few words are enough for her to understand what is needed and turn it into thoughtful and accurate proposals; and she is remarkably generous in her ideas, never settling for a minimal solution but instead offering multiple directions and explorations that help move the project forward and refine it. If I had to sum it up in one sentence: a designer with great taste, strong intuition, and a generous approach to the creative process.

MT // LISBON

Catarina designs with both vision and empathy, always looking for the deeper story behind a project and turning it into something meaningful, with a remarkable level of finesse in the final execution. Her approach is thoughtful — she listens closely and seeks to understand the true essence of each project or client. It is also deeply creative, bringing fresh ideas and a strong aesthetic sensitivity. Above all, it is refined, with a clear sense of precision and care, both in the details and in the overall vision.

AL // PARIS

Catarina’s confidence, her visual culture, her creativity. The more we worked together, the better she understood what we wanted — but at the same time, it felt like she had always understood us. Instantly.She very easily grasped what we were looking for and, because of that, she always made the process feel simpler. In a few words: committed and dedicated, passionate, intuitive, creative, confident—and (very) patient.

AS // LISBON

To sum it up: strategic, visionary, meticulous. Strategic in her understanding of business, clients, and market needs. Visionary in her ability to create distinctive and compelling brand identities. Meticulous in her exceptional attention to detail. A rare multidisciplinary creative mind, capable of translating business vision into refined and meaningful outcomes — from concept to final product, brand books, and beyond. Catarina brings together taste, talent, and a sharp, intelligent creative perspective.

EM // ABU DABI

Working with This Must Be the Place is a masterclass in what happens when visionary design meets meticulous execution. Their "hands-on" philosophy isn't just a tagline; it’s a deeply collaborative process where every element of a brand is handled with a level of care that is increasingly rare. What sets them apart is an uncompromising attention to detail — the kind that transforms a standard identity into a resonant, tactile experience. From the initial conceptual sketches to the final branding touch points, they immerse themselves in the nuances of a project, ensuring that the visual language is not only striking but intentional. For anyone seeking a partner who values craftsmanship and personal investment as much as the final aesthetic, This Must Be the Place is truly in a league of their own.

HH // CALIFORNIA