Placeholder News Event for the upcoming Ligatures Summer School 2026
A 3-day event focusing on the emergent letter and type forms’ research for junior researchers. An event packed with analog and computational workshops, communications and keynotes. Stay tuned for updates!
Read more about the
December 10, 5:00 PM — Auditorium PS01, FBAUP
In an increasingly plural visual landscape, type design has expanded far beyond the Latin alphabet. In this talk, Joana Ranito shares her journey — from early work in digital design and UX/UI to her specialization in multi-script type design and font engineering.
Drawing from her training at the University of Reading and her professional experience at Dalton Maag and Universal Thirst, Joana offers an inside look at the processes, challenges, and decision-making behind developing complex multi-script typefaces, with a particular focus on the Bengali writing system.
The session includes in-depth discussions of two major case studies: the redesign of Noto Sans Bengali and her MATD project Curiosa. This is a rare opportunity for students, researchers, and the type community to understand the craft, sensitivity, and technical rigor required to design for a multilingual, globally connected world.
Read more details (and see the future archived version of the conference on the course website) here: https://letterforms.fba.up.pt/2025/12/02/type-design-multicultural-font-development-with-joana-ranito/
Hosted by: Type Drawing (DT101) — BA in Communication Design
In collaboration with: SIG Ligatures / i2ADS
Institutional support: ATIPO – Portuguese Association for Typography
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.
Placeholder Post for the upcoming report
Spring 2025: Chinese Calligraphy Workshop with master Ye Peirong
Introduction to Chinese Calligraphy Workshop with Ye Peirong
On May 23, the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Porto hosted an immersive workshop led by master painter and calligrapher Ye Peirong. Titled “Spring Strokes, Culture Bridges,” the session invited participants to explore the poetic art of Eastern brushwork. Master Peirong demonstrated fundamental techniques—using the character 永 (eternity) to teach essential strokes—and introduced the five major calligraphy styles, blending technical instruction with an inspiring look at his unique fusion of tradition and innovation.
Masterclass with Susana Carvalho and Kai Bernau (Atelier Carvalho-Bernau)
Atelier Carvalho-Bernau Masterclass: Bridging Stories, Shaping Futures in Type Design
On May 13, 2025, Susana Carvalho and Kai Bernau will lead a masterclass at FBAUP exploring the vital role of research in contemporary typography. Titled “Bridging Stories, Shaping Futures,” the session examines how the duo uses historical analysis and cultural narratives to inform original type design and editorial projects. Hosted by the MDGPE, the event offers an inside look at their methodology—balancing applied realism with experimental inquiry—as seen in their work for clients like The New York Times Magazine and HBO.
Fall 2024: Living Lines open masterclass with Rui Abreu Read more ⮑
Living Lines, Rui Abreu Conference. See the conference recap here ⮑
Summer 2024: Type Walk Type Draw Workshop with Diogo Rapazote.
