tidied up

Being a biweekly publication, UMdicas* is a student’s journal of the University of Minho with 2000 copies in print and distribution throughout the whole region. 

The challenge was to refresh the publication’s look, making it structurally more consistent and visually appealing and prepare a template that can be implemented by the in-house designer.

it’s got looks, it’s got class.

For a trustworthy but approachable and captivating air, a selection of typefaces was put together. The chromatic palette has been slightly adjusted to obtain a more harmonious result. Moreover, the 12-column grid allows great flexibility in placement and cropping of text and photographs.

from a letter-mark to a word-mark

For a more consistent employment of the new visual program, we also redesigned the logo. The before stand-alone letter d is now an integral part of the newspaper title.

* Founded in 2003, UMdicas is a periodical publication that provides general information and reporting on UMinho’s academic, scientific and training aspect, giving privilege to the coverage of the activities of the SASUM (Social Services of University of Minho) with particular focus in sporting, cultural and recreational activities. It aims to be a space open to the propagation of the events developed by the academy, seeking to dignify and promote the image of the university, and the projects and partnerships developed within it.

leaving a mark

Once again, we were challenged to give a face to the yearly publication issued on the occasion of the anniversary of the University of Minho. This year’s Revista UMinho explores the theme of interaction between the university and society, in its different modes and effects.

The University of Minho presents itself as a “promoter of economic, social and cultural development” and it’s characterised by a strong bond with its surrounding environment, thereby plays an active role in reshaping it.

The cover aims to reflect the mark that UMinho’s leaves on the community through the projects and actions it promotes. For that, there seemed to be no better way to represent the metaphor of a fingerprint than through the application of blind embossing.

The magazine inner pages are divided into three parts, where each has been assigned a slightly different tone of voice expressed through a somewhat different layout, as well as the type of paper and—in case of the editorial part—also a different page size.

open ground to those who come

Revista UMinho is a yearly publication issued for the anniversary of the University of Minho. This year’s edition (2017) was created under the theme “Chão aberto a quem chegar” (“Open Ground to Those Who Come”)—a verse from the lyrics of the University’s hymn.

We were challenged to find means to represent through the look and feel of the piece the openness of the institution—the eagerness and flexibility to meet any expectations of the newcomers.

What if there was a door, one that never closes?

We designed the magazine with a cut through—a square-shaped aperture in the middle of the piece, which carries throughout each and every page. The negative space is an integral element of the object. It takes an active part in interaction with the booklet, too.

The matt paper we chose for the cover of a warm grey shade, and texture of fine sand (Andina Grey from Curious Matter collection). It resembles the architectural structures of the university, while the warm red clay colour (used inside) symbolises the people.

The special transparent bookmark features additional information about the anniversary, and when in place it reveals the UMinho logo inside the opening.

the mentor and the protégé

Mentorship is key to career success. Alumni UMinho recognising this value created two mentoring programs for the students of the University of Minho. “Tutorias por Pares” joins a freshman and a second-year student where the latter is to help the young one best integrate into the academic environment. The program Mentorias UMinho pairs a last-year student with an alumnus to give the future graduate the best shot at a successful career kick-off.

For the promotional campaign, we’ve come up with the tree/root metaphor to visualise the relation created in the program. It represents the way the parts above and below the ground differ in nature, have specific roles, but depend on each other and together are one organism.
The root is what grounds the plant body, gives it support, gathers and stores the water and nutrients, and because it lives underground, it’s invisible to us—almost like a mentor who is the support to the growing protégé. The crown is the vital, green part assimilating solar energy and CO₂—the visibly growing section, the protégé.
Except that in the poster the root is also a tree, but an older one. It suggests that the mentor–protégé relationship is a symbiosis where both parts gain and grow as a result.

The composition consisting of two fields of contrasting colour that complete each other enforces the message. The typography is arranged in the form of a frame, which directs the attention into the centre—the relationship.

The brochure’s custom cut further explores the concept of two individual parts, where the message underneath each part of the “window” is directed to either mentor (bottom) or protégé (top).

travel invitation

Daniela and Rui (Gen’s very own) wished to invite their family and friends to celebrate the life-long journey that they are about to set off on.

Na vida, o importante não é onde vais, mas com quem viajas.*

—The motto on sleeve cover sets the tone for the wedding invitation in form of a travel ticket. The design mimics the traditional format of a plane ticket featuring all the necessary information regarding the event; with passenger’s receipt as a tear-off stub, and a QR Code, which can add the event to your calendar app.

Going with only a single turquoise Pantone colour (in various opacities) and a nice cotton paper was a cost-based decision, where the copper foil finishing was set to be a simple enhancement, which elevates the piece to the level suitable for this grand occasion.

We’ve managed to achieve a fresh and modern look with a touch of proper richness and elegance.

[update]

The “travel invitation” was featured on FPO (for print only), a division of UnderConsideration. Thanks, we’re honoured!

*“In life, it’s not where you go, it’s who you travel with.” The quote originally in English by Charles M. Schulz, the author of Peanuts—the popular comic strip.