Conference & Workshop with Diego Vainesman: “Dorothy y el Jardinero”
On November 11, 2025, the Master in Graphic Design and Editorial Projects (MDGPE) hosted acclaimed designer and educator Diego Vainesman for a dynamic conference and workshop titled “Dorothy y el Jardinero.”
The event, organized in collaboration with the Ligatures SIG, focused on lateral thinking and the intersection of conceptual rigor with typographic discipline. Vainesman, a former leader of the Type Directors Club, guided students through a “Calligram Workshop,” challenging them to transform words into visual stories using only black and white typography. The session emphasized the power of “one clear idea” over decoration, urging students to use type to think, critique work effectively, and refine their designs through rapid, iterative practice. The day concluded with a “Wall of Words” critique, where students learned to articulate their design decisions under professional pressure, reinforcing the lesson that simplicity and structural discipline are key to powerful communication.
Read more about the conference and see the student work here.