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(02) AboutLisbon, Portugal

Designer, art director, noticer of small things.

Portrait of the designer: short curly hair, round wire-rimmed glasses, a cream knit sweater and a work apron, smiling softly in the studio.

Fig. A — Mira Vale, 2026.

A sunlit studio with pinned prints on a white wall and a long worktable covered in paper, proofs, brushes and markers.
Fig. B — The studio, most mornings.
Story

Story

I grew up between a print shop and a ceramics class, which explains most of what you’ll find here: a love of paper, a weakness for imperfect edges, and very little patience for anything generic.

After studying communication design, I spent seven years in small studios — first on magazines, then on identities for museums, publishers and makers. In 2022 I went independent to work more closely with the people behind each project.

Today I lead projects from first conversation to final file, bringing in photographers, developers and writers when the work needs them. I keep the studio small on purpose: it means every project gets my full attention, and nothing leaves without being looked at twice.

Demo content: Mira Vale is a fictional designer created for this template. Replace this story with your own.

Currently

  • Identity for a small natural-wine bar (in progress)
  • A self-published book of Glyph Garden letters
  • Teaching a short editorial-design workshop
Working principles

How I like to work.

  1. 01

    Small teams, direct lines

    You work with me from first call to final file. Specialists join when the project needs them.

  2. 02

    Fewer, better projects

    I take on around six projects a year so each one gets proper attention.

  3. 03

    Show the thinking

    Rough sketches and dead ends are shared, not hidden. Decisions are easier when you can see why.

Approach

Observe, explore, edit, deliver.

Close-up of hands cutting a sheet of white paper with scissors in warm side light.

Fig. C — Cutting proofs by hand.

  1. 01

    Observe

    Every project starts with looking — at the people, the place and the things nobody thought to mention.

  2. 02

    Explore

    Many directions, quickly and roughly, until one of them is impossible to ignore.

  3. 03

    Edit

    Take away until only what carries the idea is left, then check it still feels alive.

  4. 04

    Deliver

    Finished files, clear guidelines and a handover that lets the work keep going without me.

ExperienceDemo content

  1. 2022 — now

    Independent designer & art director

    Own practice, Lisbon

    Identity, editorial and digital projects for cultural organisations and small brands.

  2. 2018 — 2022

    Senior designer

    Northlight Studio (fictional)

    Led identity and print work for museum and publishing projects.

  3. 2015 — 2018

    Designer

    Paper Harbour (fictional)

    Editorial design for magazines and independent publishers.

RecognitionFictional

  • 2025Folio Review — Selected workDemo entry
  • 2024Independent Type Weekend — SpeakerDemo entry
  • 2023Shelf Life Packaging Show — ShortlistDemo entry
Colour swatch cards in cream, sand, taupe, brown and charcoal scattered across ochre paper.

Fig. D — Colour samples for a current project.

Say hello.

Start a projectSee the work