Olá

I’m an independent graphic designer based in Barreiro/ Lisbon/ Portugal.

This Ark is a work in progress that will contain my portfolio from 1997 to 2044.

My work is visually eclectic, idea driven, based on typography, shape relations and visual narratives. I have designed visual interfaces for a variety of clients – both big and small –, from MissLava Music Packaging to SATA airlines’ brand and livery, with the same passion and wit.

Co-founder and former designer at MAGA Atelier.
Former designer at BBDO Portugal, NovoDesign, Brandia, Mola Ativism, and Ivity Brand Corp.

Take a tour, and if you like what you see and have something you believe we can build together, drop me a word.

Best,
José Mendes

Bio/ Index

1973 /// Born in Barreiro.
1994–1997 /// Studied Graphic Design at Ar.Co.
1996 /// Intern Designer at BBDO Portugal.
1997 /// Selected to represent “Jovens Criadores” Portuguese Young Creators, in Graphic Design, at the CPLP Biennial in Cape Verde, by Clube Português de Artes e Ideias.
1998 /// “Jovens Criadores 98” visual identity and catalogue, for Clube Português de Artes e Ideias.

1998–2001 /// Designer at Novodesign:
Metrobus logo Design for STCP.
Visual Information System Design (maps & Diagrams) for STCP.
Visual style & communication Art Direction and Design for Porto2001-European Capital of Culture.
Joined the initial team that created Yorn as designer responsible for multimedia and institutional area.
Part of a Novodesign team, as Graphic Designer responsible for Vodafone Brand corporate and communication interfaces implementation in Portugal.

2002–2006 /// Designer at Brandia:
Part of a Brandia rebranding team for Galp Energia.
Part of a Brandia team, as Graphic Designer responsible for the implementation of Galp Energia Brand in Portuguese and Spanish Gas stations, Shops, M24, Tangerine.
Visual identities for Galp Energia products and services, Hotspot®, ServiExpress® and Tangerina®.
Graphic Designer in Pluma® Galp Energia project, responsible for Pluma® brand visual identity.
RTP (Portuguese Nacional Radio & Television Group), brand visual identity system.
RTP New Headquarters sign design, Infographics and Channels ID’s motion graphics design.
S3G symbol for Sporting Clube de Portugal.
Sign design and Logo for Alvaláxia commercial mall.
Port of Lisbon, brand visual identity design, for APL.
avidaébela, brand visual identity design.
M2-Artes Gráficas, brand visual identity design.

2006–2008 /// Designer at Mola Ativism:
edp5D, brand visual identity design for EDP.
Ativism Group, Brand visual identity system design.
M2-Graphic Arts, Innocent Graphic calendar ‘07 Art direction and Illustration.
Think’nomics’06’07, brand visual identity and motion graphics design, for Portuguese Ministry of Economy and Innovation event at Portugal Pavilion.

2008 /// Designer at Ivity Brand Corp:
Talenter (formerly lusotemp), brand visual identity design.
Natural Assets, brand visual identity design.
Multicare, brand visual identity redesign
Don Quixote, logo redesign, for Leya group
Publishers logos co-habitation system design, for Leya Group.
BIS Collection logo Design, for Leya Group.
“Consciência Leve Program” visual identity, for Caixa Geral de Depósitos.
Sata Airlines, brand visual identity redesign and fleet PaintScheme.
Special wine editions ( and and ) design, to Adega Mayor.
Special Coca-Cola Light edition in 3 illustrated cans.

2009 /// Exterior Designer at Ivity Brand Corp:
Adega Mayor symbol Design and wine labels style design
“Reserva do comendador”, “Pai Chão” and “Solista” Label/packaging design, for Adega Mayor.
Illustrations for Coca-Cola, at Benfica “Estádio da Luz”
Marketeer magazine, Editorial Design project and art direction.
Marketeer “Marketing num minuto” Visual Identity & Title design
Central Lobão, brand and Sub-brands visual identity design. Packaging Art direction.
Design of the visual identity of Primor and Packaging Art direction
Nobrega Group, brand visual identity design.
Turismo do Centro, brand visual identity design.

2009 /// Co-Founder of Atelier MAGA, with Luis Alvoeiro and Carlos Guerreiro.
CEIIA — Center for Excellence and Innovation in the Automotive Industry, brand visual identity design.
EPS — Energy Pulse Systems, brand visual identity design.
Paladin, brand visual identity and packaging design.
Paladin “Sacana” and “Ketchup à Portuguesa” products, brand visual identity and packaging design.
Zero2- HandCrafted Sofas, brand visual identity.
MOOD — Lamp Design, brand visual identity and catalogs design.
Antena3 ROCK, logo design.
“Chapéu”, brand visual identity, typography and editorial design.
Ginger Candy — Post Production, brand visual identity design.
Microsoft Lisbon Experience / Headquarters of Microsoft Portugal, brand visual identity design.
Thinkwide / Strategy gets Creative, brand visual identity design.
“Ideias de origem Portuguesa” Website, design and Art Direction, for Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.
“2 Faces”, brand visual identity design, for Luis mileu & Ricardo Henriques project for Cais Magazine.
Victoria World Travel Guides, Editorial Design and Art Direction.
Mísia (Portuguese Fado Singer) Monogram Design.
“Lado Negro” Book Editorial design and Art Direction, for Marco Dias Side and Nuno Gandra
Patterns Design for Anita Picnic.
Artistic intervention in Lisbonaire Apartments.
Ritz Clube Web page Design and Art Direction.
2014 Highlights” Brochure Editorial Design and Art direction, for the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation
Co-designer in projects for Foundation Francisco Manuel dos Santos, Back Communication, José Avillez, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and Ritz Clube, among others.

Mid 2015 foward /// Independent Designer
Adega Mayor visual identity rebranding and packaging design, commissioned by Ivity Brand Corp.
International Gastronomic Festival “Tribute to Claudia” Vila Joya, design and art Direction, commissioned by Ivity Brand Corp.
MOOD catalog 2016/17 Editorial design and art direction.
Out Of (restaurant) brand visual identity design.
memmo Príncipe Real Hotel and Café Príncipe Real brands visual identity design.
Escola Conde de Ferreira School (Production Center and Artistic participation), visual identity design. Curator and art director for the school mural.
Alguimya — The Micro Algae Experience, brand visual identity design.
Mendes Gonçalves brand visual identity design.
Super Bock 90 years visual identity and special beer edition packaging design, commissioned by o escritório.
60 Years TCB commemorative brand visual identity design.
Uma Viagem pelo Barreiro” Book TCB (Barreiro Collective transports)/CMB.
TCB (Barreiro Collective transports) brand visual identity & communication design.
Upon Lisbon brand visual identity design.
Adega do Joa brand visual identity and packaging design, , commissioned by Thinkwide.
Atary Baby brand visual identity design.
Vela Latina brand visual identity design.
Nikkei / Vela Latina brand visual identity design.
Vela Latina 30 years commemorative logo
Rebel Monk brand visual identity design.
Folha em Branco (Ricardo Mealha) for Clube Criativos de Portugal.
Art Citizenship brand visual identity design.
memmo Baleeira Hotel, brand visual identity redesign and signage design.
Diverge Sneakers brand visual identity design.
Entre Olhares brand visual identity & communication design.
Copenhagen Club, 2019/2020 posters design
Traça Atelier brand visual identity design.
Fotografia no Barreiro 2017, 2018, 2019 brand visual identity/ communication and exhibition design.
“BRR 2018: Quando a periferia se torna trendy” Book.
Copenhagen Club Posters 2020
Phonic Lips Visual Identity
Chelas Nha Kau Visual Identity & Title Design

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////
I have been working with M2-Artes Gráficas since 2005 in various projects:
M2-Artes Gráficas, brand visual identity design
M2-Artes Gráficas Calendar ‘06
M2-Artes Gráficas Calendar ‘07
M2-Artes Gráficas/Mola Ativism Posters ‘08
Illustrations for M2-Artes Gráficas calendar 2008 (ALVA) and 2009 (Ivity)
M2-Artes Gráficas — 20 years, agendaposter, bags, notebooks
M2-Artes Gráficas, summer bags
M2-Artes Gráficas, stationary boxes 
M2-Artes Gráficas, advertising page
M2-Artes Gráficas Calendar’14,
M2-Artes Gráficas — 25 years, poster, bags 
M2-Artes Gráficas Calendar’16, Poster
M2-Artes Gráficas Calendar’17
M2-Artes Gráficas Calendar’18, with José Brandão
“Chapéu”,visual identity, typography, illustrations and editorial design.
2011 and 2013 “Chapéu” Book Planeers, typography and editorial design
“Chapéu” notebooks Special Edition Design, to Fnac Portugal.
Chapéu 2017 Notebook Collection

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////
I have been working with the Cultural Association OUT.RA since 2015 in various projects:
Ouvir o Mundo, posters and visual identity for a public sound installation
Out.ra Musica, (2015) brand visual identity and posters design
Out.ra Musica, (2016) brand visual identity and posters design
Out.ra Musica, (2018) brand visual identity and posters design
Out.ra Musica, (2019) brand visual identity and posters design
Se uma árvore cair, poster
OUT.RA Visual Identity system
Cartazes, (2020) posters design
OUT.FEST 2018, 2019, festival visual identity and communication
OUT.FEST 2018, 2019, print program
Cidade Som, visual identity and imagery
UNEARTHING THE MUSIC-Creative Sound and Experimentation under European Totalitarianism 1957–1989, Visual identity and communication
and Book

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Design, illustration and packaging design for music editions: 
Miss lava, Miss Lava (Vinyl)
Blues for the Dangerous Miles, Miss Lava (CD)
Red Supergiant, Miss Lava (CD)
Sonic Debris, Miss Lava (Vinyl)
Sonic Debris, Miss Lava (CD)
Dominant Rush, Miss Lava (Vinyl)
Nuff Said!, Fast Eddie Nelson (Vinyl)
There’s No Place Like Nowhere…, Fast Eddie Nelson (Vinyl)
There’s No Place Like Nowhere…, Fast Eddie Nelson (CD)
Roots Run Deep, Fast Eddie Nelson (Vinyl)
Roots Run Deep, Fast Eddie Nelson (CD)
High on Reality, Fast Eddie Nelson (Vinyl)
High on Reality, Fast Eddie Nelson (CD)
Doomvirate, We Are The Damned (Vinyl)
Doomvirate, We Are The Damned (CD)
Rude Awakening, Like The Man Said (CD)
La Modern Fanzine, Black Pillow Club (CD)
Grand Union, Dollar Llama (CD)
I Speak Rock’n’Roll, Nicotine’s Orchestra (CD)
Royal Fado, Yolanda Soares (CD)
Notes from the Underground (experimental Sounds Behind the iron Curtain), Unearthing the music (vinyl)
Português Suave, Suave (CD)
UNUM, Rocha (Vinyl)
UNUM, Rocha (CD)
Lisbon South Bay Freaks, Lisbon South Bay Freaks (CD)

Awards

Art Directors Club of Europe Award 2023: SILVER, interactive Design, “For you, Portugal, I Swear!
Clube da Criatividade Portugal Award 2023: GOLD, Digital Publication, “Por ti, Portugal, eu juro!”
Clube da Criatividade Portugal Award 2023: SHORTLIST, Book Design, “Os Pés não têm Céu”
Horizon Interactive Awards /// 2023: Best use of typography, “For you Portugal, I swear!”
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2022: SILVER, Book Design, Barreiro. 500 Anos, e agora?
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2022: SILVER, Experimental Typography, Cidade
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2022: SILVER, Poster, Fotografia no Barreiro
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2021: GOLD, Identity Design, More Maria
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2021: BRONZE, Typography, More Maria
Meios & Publicidade Design Award 2021: NOMINATION, Typography, More Maria
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2019: BRONZE, Identity Design, DiVERGE
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2019: BRONZE, Rebranding, Identity Design, OUT.FEST18
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2019: Shortlist, Graphic Design, Folha em Branco (Ricardo Mealha)
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2018: GOLD, Graphic Design, Zardoz e Agulha M2 Calendar
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2018: GOLD, Identity Design, Mês da Fotografia Barreiro
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2018: SILVER, Packaging/labels, Adega Mayor
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2018: BRONZE, Poster, ADAO Open Day 7.0
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2018: Shortlist, Packaging, Alto do Joa
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2018: Shortlist, Identity Design, Atari Baby
Meios & Publicidade Design Award 2018: Packaging/labels, Adega Mayor
Art Directors Club of Europe Award 2017: NOMINATION, Graphic Design, Chapéu Notebook Collection
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2017: GOLD, Packaging Design, Chapéu Notebook Collection
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2017: SILVER, Graphic Design, Rocha “UNUM” Vinyl
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2016: SILVER, Graphic Design, Vila Joya Menu “Tribute to Cláudia”
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2016: SILVER, Graphic Design, Vila Joya Invitation “Tribute to Cláudia”
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2016: BRONZE, Editorial Design, Vila Joya Booklet “Tribute to Cláudia”
A’Design Award & Competition 2014: PLATINUM, Sata Airlines Brand Identity
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2014: BRONZE, Graphic Design, Rot Atman CD Sound Healing
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2013: GOLD, Illustration, Chapéu
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2013: GOLD, Packaging, Miss Lava CD Red Supergiant
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2013: SILVER, Typography, Ritz Club Boémia
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2013: SILVER, Editorial Design, Chapéu Planning Book
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2012: SILVER, Rebranding, Primor Brand Identity
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2012: SILVER, Editorial Design, Marketeer Magazine
Art Directors Club of Europe Award 2010: NOMINATION, Graphic Design, M2‑G. Arts Planning Book (M20)
Red Dot Communication Award 2010: Packaging, Coca-Cola Light Cans
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2010: BEST DESIGN, Special Award, M2-Graphic Arts Planning Book (M20)
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2010: GOLD, Graphic Design, M2-Graphic Arts Planning Book (M20)
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2010: GOLD, Label, Adega Mayor Wine “8”
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2010: GOLD, Packaging, Coca-Cola Light Cans
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2010: SILVER, Illustration, Coca-Cola Light Cans
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2010: SILVER, Rebranding, Sata Airlines Brand Identity
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2010: SILVER, Logo & Symbol, Adega Mayor Wine “8”
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2010: SILVER, Logo & Symbol, Sata Airlines Brand Identity
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2010: SILVER, Global Project, Coca-Cola Light Cans
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2010: SILVER, Global Project, Sata Airlines Brand Identity
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2010: BRONZE, Graphic Design, Sata Airlines Brand Identity
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2010: BRONZE, Label, Coca-Cola Light Cans
Meios & Publicidade Design Award 2010: GRAND PRIX, Adega Mayor Wine “8”
Meios & Publicidade Design Award 2010: Illustration, Coca-Cola Light Cans
Meios & Publicidade Design Award 2010: Packaging, Adega Mayor Wine “8”
Meios & Publicidade Design Award 2010: Print, Adega Mayor Wine “8”
Meios & Publicidade Design Award 2010: SHORLIST, Packaging, Coca-Cola Light Cans
Meios & Publicidade Design Award 2010: SHORLIST, Print, Coca-Cola Light Cans
Meios & Publicidade Design Award 2010: SHORLIST, Branding, Adega Mayor Wine “8”
TITAN- Illustration in Design ESAD Award 2009: SHORTLIST, Ativism stationary Illustrations
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2009: SILVER, Global Project, Talenter Brand Identity
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2009: SILVER, Comercial Space, Talenter Flag Store
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2009: SILVER, Label, Adega Mayor Wine “7”
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2009: SILVER, Illustration, M2-Graphic Arts Calendar
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2009: BRONZE, Packaging, Adega Mayor Wine “7”
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2009: BRONZE, Corporate Identity, Talenter Brand Identity
Briefing Design Award 2008: Packaging, Adega Mayor Wine “7”
Briefing Design Award 2008: Print, Ativism stationary
Red Dot Comunication Award 2008: Identity, Ativism Brand Identity
Red Dot Comunication Award 2008: Identity, EDP 5D Brand Identity
Red Dot Comunication Award 2008: Editorial, M2-Graphic Arts calendar‘07
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2008: GOLD, Auto-Promotion, Mola Ativism & M2‑G.Arts Calendar’08
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2008: GOLD, Graphic Design, Ativism stationary
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2008: SILVER, Illustration, Mola Ativism & M2-Graphic Arts Calendar’08
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2008: SILVER, Illustration, Ativism stationary
Briefing Design Award 2007: GRAND PRIX, M2-Graphic Arts Innocent Graphic calendar ‘07
Briefing Design Award 2007: Print, M2-Graphic Arts Innocent Graphic calendar ‘07
Briefing Design Award 2007: SHORTLIST, Corporate Identity, EDP 5D Brand Identity
Briefing Design Award 2007: SHORTLIST, Corporate Identity, Government of Portugal Think’nomics’06
IF Product Design Award 2007: Galp HotSpot gas heater
Design Pries Award 2007: GOLD, Galp Pluma gas cylinder
IF Product Design Award 2006: Galp Pluma gas cylinder
Red Dot Product Award 2006. BEST OF THE BEST, Galp Pluma gas cylinder
Good Design Award 2006, Chicago Athenaeum: Galp Pluma gas cylinder
Art Directors Club of Europe Award 2006: GOLD, Packaging, Galp Pluma gas cylinder
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2006: GOLD, Poster, M2-Graphic Arts Innocent Graphic calendar ‘07
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2006: GOLD, Ilustration, M2-Graphic Arts calendar ‘07
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2006: GOLD, Typography, Type Ativism
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2006: SILVER,Graphic Design, M2‑G.Arts Innocent Graphic calendar‘07
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2006: SILVER, Corporate Identity, Ativism Brand Identity
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2006: BRONZE, Corporate Identity, EDP 5D
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2006: BRONZE, Corporate Identity, MEI Think’nomics’06
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2006: BRONZE, Motion Graphics, EDP 5D ID
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2006: SHORTLIST, Motion Graphics, Think’nomics’06 ID
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2005: SILVER, Graphic Design, M2-Graphic Arts calendar‘06
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2005: SILVER, Corporate Identity, A Vida é Bela Brand Identity
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2005: SILVER, Logo & Symbol, M2-Graphic Arts
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2005: BRONZE, Corporate Identity, Galp Pluma gas cylinder
Briefing Design Award 2005: HONORABLE MENTION, Corporate Identity, RTP Brand Identity System
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2004: BRONZE, Corporate Identity, RTP Brand Identity System
Briefing Design Award 2003: Auto Promotion, Brandia Jornal Start#1
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2003: SILVER, Commercial Space, Galp Gas Stations
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2003: SHORTLIST, Commercial Space, Galp Tangerina Store
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2001: SILVER, Website Design, yorn.pt
Clube Criativos Portugal Award 2001: BRONZE, Poster, Porto 2001 salon du livre Poster
Briefing Design Award 1999: BRONZE, STCP Information System (Maps & Diagrams)
CPD Nacional Award 1998/99: SPECIAL MENTION, STCP Information System (Maps & Diagrams)
Clube Português de Artes e Ideias, Jovens Criadores (Young Creators) Award 1997: Design Gráfico

Clients (since 2015)

Anita Picnic 
APIGRAF
Atari Baby /// Restaurant
Bagabaga Studios
CCP /// Clube de Criativos de Portugal
CMB /// Câmara Municipal do Barreiro 
Cine Clube Barreiro
Copenhagen Bar
Diverge Sneakers
F. Lima
Invest Lisboa ///  Câmara de Comércio e Indústria Portuguesa
Hey Pachuco /// Associação Cultural
M2 /// Artes Gráficas
Memmo Hotels
Mendes Gonçalves/ Paladin
Mood /// Lamp Design
Nikkei Lisboa /// Restaurant
Novabase
Out Of /// Restaurant
Out.ra /// Associação Cultural
Phonic Lips /// Video & Motion Studio 
Raging Planet
Rebel Monk /// Video production
TCB /// Transportes Colectivos do Barreiro
Thinkwide
Traça Arquitectos
Vela Latina /// Restaurant
Vinil Experience

Commissioned Work:

Adega Mayor — Commissioned by Ivity Brand Corp
Alguimya — Commissioned by Graça Maria Martins & Associados
Artcitizenship/ Universidade Nova de Lisboa — Commissioned by Bagabaga Studios
Betclic — Commissioned by Solid Dogma
Casa do Joa — Commissioned by Thinkwide
More Maria — Commissioned by Solid Dogma
Super Bock/ Unicer — Commissioned by o escritório
Upon Lisbon Apartments — Commissioned by Thinkwide
Vila Joya — Commissioned by Ivity Brand Corp

Design Juri at

The Art Directors Club of Europe, Barcelona, 2007
Clube Criativos Portugal, 2007
Clube Criativos Portugal, 2011
Lusos Awards 2015/2016
Concurso Sardinhas — Festas de Lisboa, EGEAC, 2017
Prémios Design, Meios & Publicidade, 2018
Clube Criativos Portugal, 2022
Design, Young Lions Competitions-Portugal, 2023
Prémios Design, Meios & Publicidade, 2023

Published Work

BOOK

2023 /// História do Design Gráfico em Portugal 2000–2020 /// Nº8 /// Público+ESAD
2023 /// História do Design Gráfico em Portugal 1980–2000 /// Nº7 /// Público+ESAD
2021 /// Barreiro. 500 anos e agora? /// CMB /// ISBN: 978–972-8946–15‑9
2021 /// Caderno Micar /// SOS Racismo /// ISBN: 978–989-33–2334‑2
2019 /// BRR 2018-Quando a Periferia se torna trendy /// ISBN: 978–989-781–162‑3
2015 /// Portugal by Design /// Design Português 2014/2015 /// Governo de Portugal
2015 /// Design Português /// 2000–2015-José Bártolo /// Nº6 /// ISBN: 978–989-8657–99‑2
2013 /// Attractive designs without illustrations /// PIE Books /// Japan /// ISBN: 9784756243584
2013 /// Branding Typography /// SANDU Publishing /// Hong Kong /// ISBN: 978–1584234968
2013 /// Clube de Criativos de Portugal /// Annuary
2013 /// Art Director Clube of Europe /// Annuary
2012 /// Geometrix /// GINGKO Press / SANDU Publishing /// Hong Kong /// ISBN: 978–988-16352–2‑8
2012 /// Geo graphics /// VICTION:ARY /// Hong Kong /// ISBN: 978–9881943927
2012 /// Art Director Clube of Europe /// Annuary
2012 /// Clube de Criativos de Portugal /// Annuary
2010 /// TYPO SHIRT ONE /// Index Book /// Spain /// ISBN: 978–84-92643–55‑4
2010 /// Art Director Clube of Europe /// Annuary
2010 /// Clube de Criativos de Portugal /// Annuary
2009 /// Clube de Criativos de Portugal /// Annuary
2009 /// Red Dot International Communication Design 2008/2009 /// Germany /// ISBN: 3899391012
2008 /// Logo Lounge 4 /// ISBN-10: 1–59253-400–7
2008 /// Clube de Criativos de Portugal /// Annuary
2007 /// Red Dot Design Yearbook 2006/2007 /// Germany /// ISBN: 978–3‑89939–077‑3
2007 /// Art Director Clube of Europe /// Annuary
2007 /// Clube de Criativos de Portugal /// Annuary
2006 /// IF Yearbook Product 2006 /// ISBN: 978–3‑7643–7471‑6
2006 /// Logo Lounge 3 /// ISBN-10: 1–59253-238–1
2006 /// Clube de Criativos de Portugal /// Annuary
2005 /// Clube de Criativos de Portugal /// Annuary
2004 /// Clube de Criativos de Portugal /// Annuary
1997 /// Jovens Criadores’97 /// Clube Português de Artes e Ideias /// Catalogue

MAGAZINES

2019 /// Flanzine /// XIX Obscenum /// DL:364021/13
2018 /// MARKETEER /// Nº264
2017 /// Meios & Publicidade /// Nº803
2014 /// DIF MAG /// Nº103
2014 /// IdN Magazine /// v20n4: Paper Special /// Internacional
2011 /// MARKETEER /// Nº177
2011 /// COMPUTER ARTS PORTUGAL /// Nº06
2008 /// CREATIVE REVIEW /// June /// UK

Exhibitions

2021 /// Barreiro. 500 anos e agora?, Auditório Augusto Cabrita, Barreiro
2019 /// Best of Design 2019: Clube Criativos de Portugal, Roca Lisboa Gallery
2018 /// 1998–2018 work selection: 8ºAlgarve Design Meeting, UAIg-ESEG, Faro
2017 /// Algo Rítmico: Curated by Marco Dias/Clube Criativos de Portugal, Lisboa
2015 /// WIDE® — Symbols & Logos Portugal (Curated by Gonçalo Cabral), part of Desire, Tension, Transition (Curated by José Bártolo): Experimenta Design, Porto
2015 /// PLASTER, Poster & Typography: Contemporary Portuguese G.Design, MAGA, Toruń-Poland
2011 /// Colher Tour Teaser Expo, Collective exhibition: MAGA, Mercado de Matosinhos
2011 /// Barreiro illustrators: Collective exhibition /// Barreiro Art Galerie
2010 /// Revolution 1999–2009, Experimenta Design: Design retrospective in Portugal, MAGA, Lisbon
2009 /// TITAN-Illustration in Design, ESAD /// Ativism stationary llustrations /// Matosinhos
2008 /// YEAH! x 6, Barreiro Rocks: Collective exhibition, Barreiro
2007 /// ArtWords: Collective exhibition /// Work & Shop Galerie /// Lisbon
2007 /// Á‑zero com vista para o Tejo: Collective exhibition, Yron Galerie, Lisbon
1998 /// Jovens Criadores (Young Creators) 1997, Clube Português de Artes e Ideias, Praia-Cape Verde
1997 /// Jovens Criadores (Young Creators) 1997, Clube Português de Artes e Ideias, Guarda

Talks

Comunicar Design ’2019, ESAD.CR, Caldas da Rainha 2019
Café Design, Instituto Politécnico de Tomar, 2018
BA (Hons) Graphic Design, Southsampton Solent University, ETIC – Lisboa, 2017
Algarve Design Meeting, UAIg-ESEG, Associação Nacional de Designers, Faro 2017
Seminário Permanente, ESAD.CR, Caldas da Rainha 2016
34ºVelcro-Encontros de Design, ULHT Universidade Lusófona, with MAGA, Lisbon 2012
Comunicar Design ’2012, ESAD.CR, with MAGA, Caldas da Rainha 2012
World Graphics Day, ESAD, with MAGA, Matosinhos 2012
ARTEC 21 “simbiose” – MAGA fala de CHAPÉU, Instituto politécnico de Tomar, with MAGA, Tomar 2011

MAGA

Maga

 

In 2009, I started an external collaboration with Ivity Brand Corp while sharing a workspace with Luís Alvoeiro at Rua dos Fanqueiros, in Lisbon. Alvoeiro is an old friend. We’ve worked together at NovoDesign, Brandia and Ivity Brand Corp, and we’ve even played together in a band. He was doing book covers for publishing house LeYa, while I was keeping busy with these projects for Ivity Brand Corp and others I’d been involved with for years, for clients such as Miss Lava, Mood, and M2, among others. We started going to meetings together as a collective studio and, needing a name, we came up with AMDS (Alvoeiro Mendes Design Studio); simple.

At the end of the year we invited designer Carlos Guerreiro – another great friend of ours – to join us. For me it was a dream to be working with a designer I had admired for years. When I was a student, I saw a poster he had designed for “Jovens Criadores 96” at Ar.Co Bar that left me open-mouthed and inspires me to this very day. I had never seen anyone in Portugal with that kind of graphic language and level of experimentation, and that someone was Carlos Guerreiro. And that’s how MAGA was born (Mendes + Alvoeiro + Guerreiro + Atelier): the sum of the first letter of our names; the sum of us.

We sought to add some personal work to enhance the studio’s portfolio and worked hard to build its future one. I remember telling them: I want to do good design, have fun doing it while also getting paid for it. And basically that’s what happened. People we knew started coming to us with projects and passed the word around. Many projects we developed individually based on our personal connection to these people, others we did together, but at the end all projects enriched the studio’s portfolio, like a collective body. We created the Chapéu brand in partnership with M2 printers and ALVA design studio, a project that involved several illustrators and produced beautiful objects. But there are two projects we developed together that enriched me a lot as a designer and were a reference for the studio: the decoration of an apartment for Lisbonaire Apartments in Lisbon (Commissioned by Experimenta Design); and witnessing the birth of the graphic identity for Ritz Clube designed by Carlos Guerreiro, and being lucky to participate and help him with this project.

At this point we had already moved the studio to a new space shared with Zero Dois, where we created many projects between 2011 and 2013 that quickly became a reference among our peers, with works published in IDN, Computer Arts, and Victionary, among other leading Portuguese and international publications.

We later changed the studio’s location once again, this time to Chiado. We also built a new work dynamic with Alvoeiro in Madrid. During the following years the national context proved economically devastating for some design studios in Portugal, and we weren’t left unscathed. In July 2015 I stopped working at MAGA. Alvoeiro and Carlos Guerreiro implemented a deep restructuring of the studio with a partner investor, starting a new phase for MAGA. I feel honoured to have been one of MAGA’s co-founders, and to have built together with two friends between 2009 and mid-2015 a body of work all of us can be proud of.

This work can be seen at maga-atelier.com or here in this website.

4 Cães À Babuje

dogslow

Luis Gouveia /// Pedro Carmo /// Carlos Guerreiro /// José Mendes

Design collective specifically formed in 2014 to work on the visual identity of Barreiro Rocks Music Festival. Friends, designers and members of the festival community – they jam the festival image without rules.

The illustrators João Maio Pinto and Pedro Lourenço run along with the pack and become keepers of the stage backdrop illustrations.

© 2024 José Mendes. All Rights Reserved