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.

Our goal was to pique curiosity about this captivating production, which offers a unique perspective on the Portuguese Colonial war. Building upon the poster design, we brought it to life through animation, synchronized with the immersive sound design by FUSE.

Tune in to Portuguese National television to catch the spot! Additionally, we’re thrilled to announce that “Noite de Solidão no Capim” placed 3rd out of 800 entries in the Celebrations of April’s 25th competition.

Watch the TV Spot here:

With web design continuously evolving, typography is playing an increasingly crucial role. It helps establish hierarchy, guides the user’s attention, and creates a consistent visual style for websites. By incorporating bold and unique typography choices, we have the power to infuse character, personality, and interest into a website. These design elements make a brand’s tone of voice and messaging more memorable and impactful while enhancing the overall user experience. A well-designed typography system that emphasizes readability and accessibility can increase engagement and provide a seamless and enjoyable user experience.

In graphic design, typography is also critical. Whether it’s a logo, poster, or packaging design, typography plays an important role in generating intrigue, delivering brand messages, and fostering engagement with the target audience. The availability of various fonts, styles, and techniques offers us numerous opportunities to communicate a brand’s personality and messaging memorably and impactfully.

As designers, we have always embraced typography as a tool for creativity and self-expression. The result is a wide range of unique and bold typography designs that reflect our individuality as well as the brand. These designs can go beyond the traditional serifs and sans-serifs, and take on a more adventurous and expressive form. We’re not afraid to experiment with color, size, and weight, and to push the boundaries of what is considered conventional in typography.

Blog post by Nuno Soares,
Partner/ Art Director