Stools Made of Beef Tripe and Chairs Inspired by Race Relations

Self-taught Brazilian designer Rodrigo Almeida is a true original.

Designer Rodrigo Almeida has approached his career in way that's completely opposite from most designers. He didn't want to be bogged down by technology, so he skipped school altogether. The objects he makes are all about craft--but unlike his Dutch peers, Almeida's stuff isn't cutesy or arch. His work is steeped in Brazilian culture, and as a result, it possesses a rootedness that's rare in contemporary design.

One example...