Designing with Heart: The Story of Boo Studio’s Intuitive Minimalism
people • MAKERS
Founded by Amanda and Jo Booabbood, Boo Studio has become a leading force in modern arabic interior design, blending tradition with intuitive minimalism. The studio’s work reflects a deep respect for artisanal crafts and a commitment to storytelling design. Based in Doha and rooted in their shared background at the Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts (ALBA), the pair create narrative-driven works that transform everyday objects into timeless statements. Since launching their studio in 2021, Boo has exhibited at leading global design events, including Milan Design Week, and been recognised by the AD100 Middle East. Their collaborations span Hermès, Qatar Museums, and Ithra, always anchored in a deep respect for culture and material. As educators and designers, Amanda and Jo continue to shape the region’s creative identity through thoughtful, evocative design.
Words: designeers
APRIL 2025
WEBSITE: boodesignstudio.com
INSTAGRAM: @boo_design_studio
DESIGNEERS
Can you tell us about your story? Who is Boo?
Boo Design Studio
Boo is the story of us, Jo and Amanda, partners in life and design. We met at ALBA in Beirut, where we both earned our Master’s in product design. After working together for years, we brought our vision to Qatar, setting up Boo Design Studio in Doha in 2021. But our roots in the region go back to 2015. For us, Boo is more than a studio, it’s our way of blending storytelling, culture, and design into something deeply personal. Our studio is defined by storytelling design, every project is a narrative that reflects our roots. Drawing inspiration from artisanal crafts, we aim to honour tradition while pushing boundaries.
DESIGNEERS
Boo Design Studio: an intriguing name that sparks curiosity. What is the meaning behind this choice, and how does it represent your design vision?
Boo Design Studio
The name “boo” is quite layered. It comes from our family name, Booabbood, but it’s also become a symbol of how personal our work is. We didn’t relate to anything overly formal or distant, we wanted something that felt like home. “Boo” is soft, human, and a little unexpected, much like our approach to design. It reflects the closeness of our collaboration and our belief that great design should always feel connected to a truly authentic story.
DESIGNEERS
How would you describe the essence of Boo in three words?
Boo Design Studio
Storytelling, innovation, and empathy.
DESIGNEERS
What was your first project? Looking back, what did it teach you, and how has it influenced your current approach?
Boo Design Studio
We often look back on the Dervish Luminaires as the real beginning. It was a student project, created through countless sketches and intense research that honed our tangible skills. At first, we doubted whether translating something so symbolic into a practical object would even work. But the process taught us to embrace those gut feelings and trust the story behind the design, a philosophy rooted in storytelling design. That early experience still influences how we approach our work today, curious, intuitive, and always open to new creative possibilities.
DESIGNEERS
What are your main sources of inspiration, both within and outside the world of design?
Boo Design Studio
We’re endlessly inspired by the richness of our Arab culture and regional traditions. From the shapes and textures of traditional crafts to the rituals that bring people together, there’s something incredibly powerful in the everyday. We’re constantly drawn to traditional objects and practices, not to replicate them, but to reimagine them in a way that feels fresh. For us, inspiration isn’t just visual, it’s emotional, rooted in memory, movement, and the stories that shape our identities.
The Dervish Luminaires
Medaillon Collection
Tassels Collection
“We believe that true beauty has to also serve a purpose, so our philosophy is that form should follow function with a touch of joie de vivre.”
Boo Design Studio
DESIGNEERS
Is there a project you are particularly attached to? Can you share its story and what makes it special to you?
Boo Design Studio
The Medaillon Collection holds a special place in our hearts, representing how artisanal crafts and heritage can be reinterpreted through modern arabic interior design. It draws from the delicate geometry of traditional Arab jewellery, something that feels so culturally rich and emotionally resonant. When it was first shown at the Design Doha Biennial, it felt like a real celebration of where we come from. And when it made its way to Milan Design Week, we saw just how universal those inspirations could be. It’s our love letter to heritage, told through modern form.
DESIGNEERS
Working with materials and shapes often leads to unexpected experiments. Was there a discovery or a mistake that turned out to be a success?
Boo Design Studio
The Dervish Luminaires were a defining moment for us, embodying the transformation of traditional ritual into a truly emotional design object. Created during our time at ALBA, they were born from lots of sketching, reflection, and material exploration that refined our tangible skills. The idea of turning the Sufi ritual dance into a light felt risky, I was afraid it might not translate. But working with brass and oak brought it together in a way I didn’t expect. It ended up being one of Boo’s first standout pieces, shown at Dubai Design Week and later at M7 in Doha. That project taught us to trust our instincts and embrace experimentation.
DESIGNEERS
Design is a dialogue between aesthetics and function. How do you find the perfect balance between these two elements in your projects?
Boo Design Studio
We believe that true beauty has to also serve a purpose, so our philosophy is that form should follow function with a touch of joie de vivre. Every piece we create isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s designed to be used, lived with, and loved as an emotional design object. Our background in both product and interior design helps us approach this balance holistically, and we’re always looking for ways to blend innovation, storytelling design, and practical utility.
DESIGNEERS
Today, design intersects with many other disciplines. Are there particular collaborations or creative crossovers that fascinate you?
Boo Design Studio
One of the most meaningful crossovers for us has been between design and education. We returned to teach at ALBA, where our journey began, and that academic experience has had a lasting influence on our practice, keeping it grounded, reflective, and open to new ideas. Beyond education, we’ve collaborated with Qatar Museums, Hermès, and Qatar Foundation on a wide range of projects, from installations to product design. Exhibitions like Routes to Roots with Ithra and Crafting Spaces with Vitra have also allowed us to explore how design can tell stories across disciplines.
DESIGNEERS
If you could work on any type of project, with no budget limits or constraints, what would it be and why?
Boo Design Studio
There are two dreams that sit close to our hearts. One is creating a design museum for the Arab world, something that celebrates the region’s design legacy and pushes it forward. The other is more personal: a space of our own. A studio that feels like home, where people can visit, share ideas, see our work, or simply spend time. We imagine it as a welcoming, collaborative hub where design isn’t just shown, it’s experienced.
DESIGNEERS
Can you tell us about the "Keys to Memories" project? What is its purpose, and what is it intended for? Also, could you share with us the inspiration and concept behind it?
Boo Design Studio
“Keys to Memories” is one of our most exciting projects to date. We can’t say too much before the official unveiling on April 20th, but it’s made from 250,000 keychains used during the World Cup, each one carrying a personal story. The shape draws from the tunnels of football stadiums, a nod to movement, transition, and emotional build-up. With Qatari patterns and fan chants woven in, it stands as a tribute to unity, memory, and shared experience, made entirely from reused, truly meaningful objects.
DESIGNEERS
Minimalist and contemporary design is at the core of your work, but how do you manage to merge tradition with the language of modern design? Are there specific influences or experiences that have helped you achieve this balance?
Boo Design Studio
That balance between heritage and contemporary design it’s something we approach both instinctively and intentionally. Our collections reinterpret traditional forms through a minimalist lens, but it’s never just about aesthetics. It comes from years of research, work, travel, and listening. Our dual background in interior and product design helps, of course, but over time, we’ve developed a kind of design intuition. It’s that inner sense of when something feels both authentic and original, and we trust it.
DESIGNEERS
We’ve heard about your collaboration with Hermès. How does this project fit into your creative vision? How did it feel to receive recognition from a brand like Hermès, which is a statement of elegance and sophistication? What does this acknowledgement mean for you as designers?
Boo Design Studio
Collaborating with Hermès was such a special experience for us. We created a bespoke installation at Place Vendôme in Doha, supported by M7. What made it so meaningful was how aligned it felt; Hermès' dedication to craftsmanship and storytelling echoed our values. We began by researching the brand to its core, exploring its rich history, and then discovering a way of translating that into something that felt authentically us. It was an exciting challenge, and honestly, being recognised by a house like Hermès was incredibly affirming and a testament to our uniquely meticulous creative approach.
Medaillon Collection
