Matilde Ferreira
Projects
About

2SMART

October 2022 – July 2023

The 2SMART project aimed to develop engineering and design solutions to improve the quality of life and health of citizens.

As a designer, my primary contributions included designing the project's website, creating the editorial design for its book Field Theory, and developing the communication materials for its exhibitions.

  • Interaction
  • Editorial

Research Scholarship

i2ADS – Institute of Research in Art, Design and Society

Design Tools

  • Figma |
  • Blender |
  • Adobe Illustrator |
  • Adobe InDesign |
  • Adobe Premiere Pro

Development Technologies

  • HTML & CSS |
  • JavaScript (JQuery)
The homepage of the 2SMART website displayed on a Macbook Pro and the book Field Theory.

The Website

The 2SMART website was the central platform for the project’s communication. It provided a comprehensive overview of the project, detailed information on each of its five activities, and showcased the four exhibitions resulting from Activity 5. A database of project results, with a filtering search system, facilitated easy access to the project’s outcomes.

The website integrated the project’s established visual identity, employing the Saira font family and its gradient color palette from vibrant pinks to purples.

To further enhance the project's narrative, 3D abstract illustrations were thoughtfully designed to visually represent each activity.

Visit the Website
A smartphone, laptop, and tablet displaying the '2SMART' website against a gradient pink to purple background.
Mockup of the 2SMART website in a Macbook displaying Activity 5, titled 'Communicating science and technology with art and design,' alongside artists André Rangel, Carolina Grilo Santos, and Catarina Braga. The layout includes vibrant magenta and purple blocks with white text, and references to associated research institutes such as i2ADS and LEPABE. Mockup of the 2SMART website in an Ipad showcasing the 'Results' page. The page highlights key outputs, including 77 research papers, 4 patents, 57 communications, 4 exhibitions, 21 theses, and 1 book. Below these metrics, users can filter results by activities such as Energy, Air Quality, Environmental Applications, Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy, and Art and Design, as well as by year (2021, 2022, 2023). Mockup of the 2SMART project website displayed on two tablets. The first tablet shows the page of Carolina Grilo Santos artistic residency hosted at Energy, LEPABE. It includes a description of her project, 'by division and differentiation,' a speculative fiction presented as a video, and an image from the exhibition. The second tablet displays the 'Results' page with the filter 'Communications' with a list of presentations filtered by the activity 'Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy'. A collage of Iphone Mockups showcasing several parts of the 2SMART website in vibrant pink and purple tones.

The Book

Field Theory documented the 2SMART project exhibitions, with a particular focus on the final exhibition, also titled Field Theory, which merged the preceding three.

The book combines photography and text to immerse readers in the exhibits’ experiences. Its design reflects the project’s visual identity, featuring strong pink and purple tones. Structured on a thirteen‑column grid, the layout dedicates seven columns to long text and three to footnotes and captions.

Upon opening the book, readers are introduced to abstract data visualizations that transition from 2D designs by Ana Duarte to 3D illustrations created by myself, establishing a visual continuity and a cohesive link with the website.

Download “Field Theory”
The front and back covers of the book 'Field Theory.' The cover is a vibrant pink and purple gradient with the title embossed in white. The back cover is a solid pink color.
A spread of the book 'Field Theory' showcasing a colorful 3D abstract illustration of a line graph. The illustration features vibrant pink and purple lines on a gradient pink background. A spread of the book 'Field Theory' showcasing a photograph of petri dishes from André Rangel's exhibition on one page. The other page includes a long text about the NANO4MED lab written by Joana Loureiro A spread of the book 'Field Theory' showcasing a photograph from the exhibition HMV_II by Catarina Braga. The image depicts a room with a metal shelf, a potted plant, and a mirror reflecting the scene. A spread of the book 'Field Theory' showcasing a page from the section on the exhibition HMV_II by Catarina Braga. The page features text and illustrations related to the artwork

3D Illustrations

To visually represent each activity within the website, abstract illustrations were created.

While Activity 1 explored smart materials for energy, represented by a deconstructed solar panel, Activity 2 addressed smart materials for air quality, represented by a flowing shape symbolizing air movement.

Activity 3 involved 3D-printed catalysts, inspiring an illustration based on one and Activity 4 explored nanomaterials, represented by interconnected blobs evoking their molecular structure.

Lastly, Activity 5 addressed science and technology communication, represented by a chart symbolizing data visualization.

A 3D illustration of a deconstructed solar panel in pink and purple tones for Activity 1, Engineered Smart Materials for Energy. A 3D illustration of a pink flow shape for Activity 2, Engineered Smart Materials for Protection of Air Quality. A 3D illustration of a 3D-printed catalyst in pink for Activity 3, Engineered Smart Materials by Digital Manufacturing for Environmental Applications. A 3D illustration of interconnected blobs evoking the molecular structure of nanomaterials for Activity 4, Engineered smart materials for cancer diagnosis and therapy. A 3D illustration of a circle chart symbolizing data visualization for Activity 5, Communicating Science and Technology with Art and Design.

Exhibitions' Communication

I produced the communication materials for three of the four project exhibitions: HMV_II, by division and differentiation, and Field Theory. To promote these events, a variety of materials were developed, including ‘Save the Date’ posts, website banners, Instagram posts, and posters. For the exhibition spaces, materials such as wall vinyls and exhibition texts were also created.

A smartphone screen displaying an announcement for the exhibition opening of Catarina Braga’s artistic research residency within the 2SMART project. The exhibition is scheduled for March 1, 2023, at 5:00 PM at the FEUP Library Exhibition Room A computer screen displaying the Sigarra platform with an announcement for the exhibition opening of Catarina Braga’s artistic research residency within the 2SMART project. Two smartphone screens showing Instagram posts announcing the exhibition of Catarina Braga’s artistic residency within the 2SMART project. The exhibition will take place from March 1st to 10th at the FEUP Library. A poster announcing the exhibition ‘HMV_III’ by Catarina Braga, which will take place from March 1st to 10th at the FEUP Library. The poster includes details about the exhibition and information about the 2SMART Artistic Residency. Wall text for the exhibition ‘HMV_III’ by Catarina Braga, describing the project as an investigation into the invisible object of study - indoor air. The text discusses a speculative practice that combines scientific, artistic, and socio-cultural processes to create a new body, a multi-species entity that transcends boundaries. Exhibition text explaining the project ‘HMV_III’ by Catarina Braga, which draws inspiration from Stanislaw Lem’s science fiction novel ‘His Master’s Voice.’ The text discusses the relationship between humans and the environment, and explores the idea of air as a living entity

Exhibitions' Documentation

I was responsible for documenting the exhibitions, which included photographing HMV_II and collaborating with Professor Pedro Amado to create a short video showcasing the exhibition. Additionally, I photographed the video exhibition by division and differentiation.

A photograph of the exhibition space for ‘HMV_II,’ showing a minimal installation with metal shelves, potted plants, and a mirrored surface. A detail photograph of the exhibition ‘HMV_II,’ showcasing a a sheet of paper with multiple line graphs printed in purple, A photograph of the ‘HMV_II’ exhibition. The image shows a computer connected to an Arduino displaying white line graphs on a blue background. The computer is positioned on the floor on top of a mirror, which reflects a viewer’s face. A photograph of a section of the ‘HMV_II’ installation. The image shows a metal shelf unit displaying various objects, including plants and a small jar. A large mirror reflects the scene. A photograph of a potted orchid plant with vibrant orange flowers, positioned on a mirror on the floor in the ‘HMV_II’ installation. A laptop and other electronic devices are visible in the background. A photograph of a metal shelf unit with several levels, displaying various objects including plants, books, and small decorative items. The shelf is situated in a room with carpeted floors and large windows.