May Design Studio is two people: Ana, who designs, and Tomás, who builds. We met at an agency in Lisbon in 2016, moved to Porto together in 2019, and started May because we wanted to do fewer things better — not more things faster.
We take a maximum of six projects at a time. This is not a marketing gimmick. It is a structural decision that ensures every client gets our full attention. When you hire May, you work directly with Ana and Tomás. There is no project manager between us. No junior designer doing the work while a senior partner takes the credit. The people in the first meeting are the people designing your website.
We are based in Porto's Ribeira district, in a small studio overlooking the Douro river. We work in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. About half our clients are in Portugal; the rest are in Spain, the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands. We travel for photography shoots and in-person workshops when projects call for it.
240 websites launched since 2019. 99% client satisfaction (we asked, and we track it). Average project rating: 4.95 out of 5. We are not trying to be the biggest studio in Porto. We are trying to be the most careful one.
Craft over speed
We do not rush. Every project gets the time it needs. Deadlines are respected because we plan carefully — not because we cut corners.
Direct relationships
No account managers. No middlemen. You talk to the people making your website. Always.
Warmth in every pixel
We believe websites should feel human. Warm. Approachable. Like a handwritten note in a world of automated emails.