What began in Porto quickly grew into a national journey. Four cities. Four conferences. One evolving visual identity. From the granite soul of Porto to the vibrant waters of Aveiro, we created a unified design system that highlights what makes each place – and each event – unique.

Porto: Where the Journey Begins

Our first collaboration, Translate Porto, set the tone. An illustration rooted in the city’s architecture, yet projected into the future. We drew inspiration from the golden age of computing graphics – when the pixel met poetry – to reflect Porto’s cosmopolitan and multicultural energy. Technology, culture, and connection converge in a playful composition that’s unmistakably Porto.

Coimbra: Academic Precision Meets Graphic Rhythm

Next came Translate Coimbra. A new theme – “Specialize to Stand Out” – and a new city to interpret. The same visual language, tuned to Coimbra’s rhythm. Academic towers and tiled facades take shape in a palette that diverges from Porto while preserving consistency. This is how coherence becomes identity: not by repeating, but by evolving.

Guimarães: The Origin of a Nation, Reimagined

With Translate Guimarães, the challenge was dual: honor the past, and embrace the now. We integrated the historical weight of Guimarães with the bold geometry of the José de Guimarães Arts Center and the ascent of the Penha Tramway – tradition and transformation, side by side. A city of origins, redesigned for the future.

Aveiro: A Strategy in Color

Finally, Translate Aveiro. “New Scenarios, New Strategies” called for a brighter, more fluid approach. We leaned into Aveiro’s maritime identity – canals, moliceiros, university landmarks – and borrowed the warm tones of ovos moles to signal bold tradition. The result? A strategy in color and rhythm that respects the whole while celebrating the part.

A System, Not a Template

This series is more than four posters. It’s a design system in motion – flexible, memorable, and emotionally anchored in place. Each identity speaks in its own tone, yet clearly belongs to the same voice.

At Dotgraf, We don’t just illustrate cities, we translate their soul into graphic design

Looking to give your event a strong visual identity?

Let’s craft something that speaks louder than words.

Creativity is at the heart of what we do, and our design process is centered around fostering this creative energy. This process allows us to experiment, communicate our ideas clearly, and better understand our clients’ needs. We believe that evolving the client/ creative relationship into a collaborative process, is the key factor.

Our portfolio showcases our commitment to world-class design, and we’re always thrilled to see our clients achieve their branding goals. For example, let’s check two brands we’ve helped create:

Catharanthus Lab, an investigation project lab working to transform and synthesize the catharanthus flower into future cancer medicines. The logo shows the plant’s flower morphing itself into hexagons from its own chemical formula. It’s pure poetry combined into a clear readable logo.

Raconteur Animation is based in Austin, Texas. Their mission is to ensure that world-changing technology is not overlooked because it’s difficult to understand. Their animations have helped Facebook Connectivity, ULC Robotics, Kai Systems, Solarlytics and other corporations and startups with breakthrough technology. We wanted the R to tell its story. An illustrated R where the company’s action areas such as technology, future, path and objectives were present.

With our proven track record and passion for creative problem-solving, Dotgraf is the ideal partner for startups seeking to make a lasting impact. We are more than just designers; we are storytellers, designing brand narratives that resonate with audiences and propel businesses forward. Let us help you unleash the power of your brand and achieve your goals.

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you become a brand that inspires the world.

Blog post by Nuno Soares,
Partner/ Art Director

Logo applications, studies and behaviors

Alternative logo proposal

Alternative logo proposal

Brand activation/ App icon

Logo proposal + sketches

Raconteur’s alternative logo proposal, final logo and sketches