open ground to those who come

Revista UMinho is a yearly publication issued for the anniversary of the University of Minho. This year’s edition (2017) was created under the theme ‘Chão aberto a quem chegar’ (‘Open Ground to Those Who Come’) — a verse from the lyrics of the University’s hymn.

We were challenged to find means to represent through the look and feel of the piece the openness of the institution — the eagerness and flexibility to meet any expectations of the newcomers.

What if there was a door, one that never closes?

We designed the magazine with a cut through — a square shaped aperture in the middle of the piece, which carries throughout each and every page. The negative space is an integral element of the object. It takes an active part in interaction with the booklet, too.

The matt paper we chose for the cover of a warm grey shade, and texture of fine sand (Andina Grey from Curious Matter collection). It resembles the architectural structures of the university, while the warm red clay colour (used inside) symbolises the people.

The special transparent bookmark features additional information about the anniversary, and when in place it reveals the UMinho logo inside the opening.

the mentor and the protégé

Mentorship is key to career success. Alumni UMinho recognising this value created two mentoring programs for the students of the University of Minho. ‘Tutorias por Pares’ joins a freshman and a second-year student where the latter is to help the young one best integrate into the academic environment. Program ‘Mentorias UMinho’ pairs a last-year student with an alumnus to give the future graduate the best shot at a successful career kick-off.





For the promotional campaign, we’ve come up with the tree/root metaphor to visualise the relation created in the program. It represents the way the parts above and below the ground differ in nature, have specific roles, but depend on each other and together are one organism.
The root is what grounds the plant body, gives it support, gathers and stores the water and nutrients, and because it lives underground, it’s invisible to us — almost like a mentor who is the support to the growing protégé. The crown is the vital, green part assimilating solar energy and CO₂ — the visibly growing section, the protégé.
Except that in the poster the root is also a tree, but an older one. It suggests that the mentor–protégé relationship is a symbiosis where both parts gain and grow as a result.

The composition consisting of two fields of contrasting colour that complete each other enforces the message. The typography is arranged in the form of a frame, which directs the attention into the centre — the relationship.

The brochure’s custom cut further explores the concept of two individual parts, where the message underneath each part of the ‘window’ is directed to either mentor (bottom) or protégé (top).

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travel invitation

Daniela and Rui (Gen’s very own) wished to invite their family and friends to celebrate the life-long journey that they are about to set off on.


Na vida, o importante não é onde vais, mas com quem viajas.*

— the motto on sleeve cover sets the tone for the wedding invitation in form of a travel ticket. The design mimics the traditional format of a plane ticket featuring all the necessary information regarding the event; with passenger’s receipt as a tear-off stub, and a QR Code, which can add the event to your calendar app.

Going with only a single turquoise Pantone colour (in various opacities) and nice cotton paper was a cost-based decision, where the copper foil finishing was set to be the simple enhancement, which elevates the piece to the level suitable for this grand occasion.

We’ve managed to achieve a fresh and modern look with a touch of proper richness and elegance.

[update]

The “travel invitation” was featured on FPO (for print only), a division of UnderConsideration. Thanks, we’re honoured!

*“In life, it’s not where you go, it’s who you travel with.” The quote originally in English by Charles M. Schulz, the author of Peanuts – the popular comic strip.

social economy bite-sized

When faced with this challenge for the book A Economia Social em Portugal: Necessidades, perspetivas e fontes de financiamento (Social Economy in Portugal: Needs, prospects and sources of funding) – written by José Manuel Fernandes – we converted topics into colours and cluttered charts into clear and easy to understand infographics.

The appendix uses a different coloured paper, allowing users to identify the book’s different content sections even when closed. The final result is a colour-coded, elegant and dynamic piece clearly divided by subjects and topics where information can be easily found.

callmeeting

The CallMeeting is a ContactCenter outsourcing product, and aims to stimulate business between enterprises. A client buys a package of 30 guaranteed meetings, previously scheduled by phone.The campaign presents itself as a “fishing” moment with a folded sheet calendar turned into a fish.

More at Behance

3r folded

Fold-out brochure for 3R

3R is a company dedicated to the restoration and monitoring of construction works, specialized in the exploitation of energy resources and environmental awareness. It works regularly with various architectural offices and this brochure aims to achieve this public service using a simple, economical (duotone) and very objective layout. more on Behance.

Layout / Infographics / Copywriting.

número único 2012

The 1st of December is the symbol of Portugal independence in 1640 after 60 years of rule by King Filipe from Spain. The story tells us that, the students in Braga (College of St. Paul) were the first to welcome the King, leaving the street in order to celebrate the restoration of independence. They started a tradition that is celebrated every year remaining it alive.

more on Behance