The LIGATURES SIG is dedicated to the production and dissemination of design artifacts that bridge the gap between theoretical research and material practice.
Our output encompasses a diverse range of formats—from experimental typography and provisional press tools to exhibitions and pedagogical manuals—all exploring the visual, cultural, and technological dimensions of written language.
This page serves as an archive of our ongoing research & development in design products and tools. Here, we document the results of our “research through design” approach, highlighting projects that investigate both the preservation of typographic heritage and the speculative possibilities of post-digital production.
Recent Projects & Artifacts
This research & development project (i2ADS Seed Project) focuses on the development of a facsimile and a revival digital typeface of Tia Lira, originally designed by Manuel Pereira da Silva.
Research led by Pedro Amado with André do Carmo
[Research Catalog Exhibition] [Dissertation]A series of posters visualizing the ongoing research and revival of the Tia Lira typeface (originally designed by Manuel Pereira da Silva, 2004). These prints document the systematic analysis, geometric reconstruction, and expansion of the font family—including recent revivals like Tia Viola, Tia Déco, and Fritura—showcasing the typeface’s evolution from a modernist experiment to a contemporary variable system.
Research initiative led by Pedro Amado. Works by Ana Coelho, Hugo Carvalho, Hugo Moura, Rita Soares, Taina Marvila, Bruna Valoura, Bruno Barros, Cristiana Braz, Inês Loureiro, Julien Lima, Maria Benedita Lopes, Maria Teresa Borges, Bruna Silva, Luís Lopes, Maria Luísa Pinto, Roberta Miranda, André do Carmo
[15ET Book of Abstracts & Proceedings Book]XTIM (Experimental Type and Image Media): A research-led initiative exploring the intersection of emergent digital tools and traditional design processes. This provisional press focuses on hybridizing analog techniques with computational design thinking to challenge standard communication media artifacts.
Research by Pedro Amado, Cristina Ferreira & Maíra Woloszyn
[IAFOR paper Link] [Research Catalog Exhibition]59Press: An experimental letterpress unit dedicated to rapid prototyping and small-scale editions, fostering a hands-on approach to the materiality of the printed word.
Research by Sara Tavares
[Dissertation] [Design Biennale Exhibition] [Research Catalog Exhibition]A chromatic type design experiment exploring the boundaries of the OpenType-SVG format. This project investigates how color and layering can be intrinsic to the glyph structure rather than a cosmetic addition, offering new expressive possibilities for digital display.
Research by Tiago Rego
[Dissertation] [Github Repository]An alternative albeit comprehensive pedagogical resource for type design beginners. This manual codifies a simplified methodology for designing letterforms, covering the spectrum of optical adjustments designing features, metrics, spacing of a sans serif uppercase characters.
Research by Bruno Barros
[Digicom / Springer Proceedings] [15ET Book of Abstracts & Proceedings Book] [Dissertation]A practical guide documenting the technical and creative processes of the SIG’s print labs. It serves as both a technical handbook for operating our provisional presses and a manifesto on the relevance of tactile printing in a screen-based era.
Research by Rita Melo
[15ET Book of Abstracts & Proceedings Book] [Research Catalogue Exhibition] [Dissertation]A typographic physical game, developed by Laura Mineiro
[Dissertation]