Welcome to the Ligatures Special Interest Group (SIG), a multidisciplinary research group collective at the intersection of writing, typography, editorial design, and visual culture.
Institutionally hosted by the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Porto (FBAUP) and the i2ADS research institute, this team is comprised by integrated members from i2ADS, ID+ and esad–idea, and it is open for collaboration and participations to advance the study and practice of contemporary visual language and communication design.
Pedro Amado
Pedro Amado (SIG Moderator, i2ADS/FBAUP, PT) Pedro Amado holds a Ph.D. Type Design in Digital Information and Communication Platforms in from the University of Aveiro (2014), an MFA…
Fabrício Fava
Fabrício Fava (i2ADS/FBAUP, PT) Fabrício Fava is a multidisciplinary designer and Researcher at i2ADS — Research Institute in Art, Design and Society, where he promotes research through design.…
Cristina Ferreira
Cristina Ferreira (i2ADS/FBAUP, PT) Cristina Ferreira, born in Porto (Portugal), holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Design, a Master’s degree in Art and Multimedia, and a PhD in…
Graciela Machado
Graciela Machado (i2ADS/FBAUP, PT) Graciela Machado, born in Porto, Portugal, graduated in Fine Arts Painting from the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Porto (FBAUP) and…
Catarina Silva
Catarina Silva (ESD-IPCA / ID+, PT) Catarina Silva, Assistant Professor, School of Design, Polytechnic Institute of Cávado and Ave (IPCA), Barcelos, Portugal. Ana Catarina Silva is a teacher,…
Vítor Quelhas
Vítor Quelhas (ESMAD-IPP / ID+, PT) Vítor Quelhas, Assistant Professor, Polytechnic Institute of Porto, School of Media Arts and Design, Porto, Portugal and ID+ Research Institute for Design,…
Rúben R. Dias
Rúben R. Dias (ESAD / ESAD—idea / ESD–ICPA / 0.itemzero) Rúben Reis Dias is an internationally acclaimed editorial designer, educator, and researcher based in Portugal. With a PhD…
Olinda Martins
Olinda Martins (UA – DeCA / ID+) Olinda Martins holds a Ph.D. in Design from the University of Aveiro and is an integrated researcher at ID+ Institute. Her…
Research Collaborations
Ever since the formation of the SIG, we’ve been able to rely on the collaboration of bachelor and graduate students in conducting grad- and post-grad level research.
(Ongoing research)
André do Carmo (FBAUP / MDGPE)
Rita Soares (FBAUP / MDGPE)
(Past/Concluded Research Projects)
Ana Rita Antunes (FBAUP / MDGPE) (Pre-SIG)
Laura Mineiro (FBAUP / MDGPE)
Sara Tavares (FBAUP / MDGPE)
Tiago Rego (FBAUP / MDGPE)
Bruno Barros (FBAUP / MDGPE)
Rita Melo (FBAUP / MDGPE)
Maíra Woloszyn (FBAUP / UFSC / PDD)
Organization Collaborations
And from colleagues, students and former students in the organization and production of activities.
(Ligatures Summer School 2026)
Ana Coelho (FBAUP /LDC)
João Barbosa (FBAUP /LDC)
Sofia Laranjo (FBAUP /LDC)
(Luís Bandovas Masterclass)
Marta Babau Fernandes (FBAUP/MDGPE)
Maria Pinto (FBAUP/MDGPE)
(Summer School 2025 Design & Rui Abreu Masterclass Support)
Olga Marinho (FBAUP /LDC)
Maria Craveiro (FBAUP /LDC)
Leonor Maia (FBAUP /LDC)
Laura Jardim (FBAUP /LDC)
(Joana Ranito Masterclass Support)
Sara (Sasah) Monteiro (FBAUP /LDC)
Maria Patrícia Garrett (FBAUP /LDC)
(Ye Peirong Workshop Organization & Support)
Sofia Fang (FBAUP /LDC)
(Ye Peirong Workshop Support)
Ricardo (Diana) Ramos (FBAUP /LDC)
Júlia Neves (FBAUP /LDC)
Lara Barros (FBAUP /LDC)
Maria Silva (FBAUP /LDC)