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

At its core, design is a process of exploration and experimentation. It involves asking questions, challenging assumptions, and constantly seeking new and innovative ways of approaching problems. This is why we must be lifelong learners, constantly seeking new knowledge and skills to improve our work and stay ahead of the curve.

It’s not just a profession, but a calling, requiring a certain level of passion and commitment, as well as an unwavering focus on quality and attention to detail. We must be willing to put in the time and effort required to create work that is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also meaningful and impactful.

It requires dedication, commitment, and a constant drive to create work that is meaningful, impactful, and truly makes a difference in the world. We must embrace our calling, and always strive to create work that reflects our commitment to the craft. Personally, I see myself as the Oscar Niemeyer of design – willing to work tirelessly until my creative vision is fully realized. For me, design is not just a craft, it’s a lifelong passion that touches every aspect of my being.

Blog post by Nuno Soares,
Partner/ Art Director

Throughout the journey of building Dotgraf, I encountered numerous challenges. From unfulfilled investments and partners who couldn’t handle the pressure when times got tough, to facing financial crises and balancing the decision between expanding the team or maintaining the status quo. These challenges tested my resilience and determination to succeed.

In order to bring success to the studio, I had to develop unexpected skills, including the crucial role of CEO. Regardless of the size of the team, whether it be a large group or just a driven duo, being the CEO entails managing the business effectively, and I take this responsibility seriously.

Upon my return to Portugal after accepting an invitation to work abroad, I was motivated to take Dotgraf to new heights. My focus was not merely on expanding the client list, but also on establishing Dotgraf as a recognized creative powerhouse

Despite the difficulties, not all of my journey with Dotgraf was tough. In 2019, I was fortunate enough to welcome my wife as the creative director. We had previously worked together as a team at Efdual.com in 2001 before pursuing separate careers, but were now able to reunite and bring our skills and experience back to the studio.

This leads to where we stand now. Faced with the pandemic, we had to quit the Sá da Bandeira studio that we loved and this January moved to Boavista, Porto’s business center, to an awesome office. Even better, we have lots of new projects to share in our portfolio. 

Want to know how this story ends? So do we, keep following us as we promise to continually stretch the boundaries of creativity!

Blog post by Nuno Soares,
Partner/ Art Director

The same can be said for creativity. There are no formulas, no magic solutions, and no shortcuts to unlocking the full potential of one’s imagination. It takes hard work, dedication, and a willingness to take risks and embrace failure.

I once had the privilege to attend a meeting with Henrique Cayatte, a renowned graphic designer and illustrator. The meeting happened at Tearfil back in 2004. We were talking about target marketing forms and he echoed this sentiment when he said that “Creativity can’t be reduced to a formula. It is a constant exploration of new ideas and the courage to bring them to life.” It was inspiring.

Creativity and design are about pushing boundaries and exploring uncharted territory. It’s about taking the time to ask questions, to experiment, and to find new ways of looking at the world. The beauty of creativity is that there are no limits, no set rules, and no prescribed pathways to follow.

As Steve Jobs once said, “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” Those who embrace their creativity, who take risks and embrace their imagination, are the ones who will ultimately succeed in their careers.

The bottom line is that creativity and design cannot be contained or limited by formulas or shortcuts. These are expressions of the human spirit, and as such, constantly evolving and changing. The best way to unleash its full potential is to embrace the unknown, to take risks, to never stop exploring new ideas.