João da Fonseca (Guimarães, 1990) is a graphic designer, illustrator, and art director based in Portugal. His work blends thoughtful design with strong visual storytelling, spanning disciplines such as editorial design, branding, textile graphics, and illustration.
Since 2013, he has been collaborating with Typographia, where he played a central role in shaping the brand’s visual identity across multiple collections, with a particular focus on the intersection between design and textile. His approach is rooted in visual clarity, structural balance, and a keen attention to concept — often using illustration as a bridge between narrative and form.
Over the years, João has worked with a range of cultural institutions and creative collectives. His international collaborations include the Silkroad International Film Festival in Dublin, where he has developed the annual visual identity since 2017. He was also responsible for designing the visual identity of Monpeh, a Japanese brand dedicated to reimagining traditional monpe trousers through a contemporary lens.
In Portugal, he has created graphic work for the Cineclube do Porto, the Municipality of Guimarães, and cultural platforms such as CAV, Astronauta, Elephant Musik, and Capivara Azul.
His editorial and print work includes posters, album covers, visual identities, and publications such as Memórias Particulares dum Combatente da Primeira Guerra Mundial and multiple issues of the magazine Guimarães C Visível. His work has also been featured in group exhibitions including 40 Years, 40 Artists (Pudim Studio, 2019) and the Bienal de Ilustração de Guimarães (BIG) in 2021.
Influenced by cinema, architecture, and music, João’s visual language is both precise and expressive — often referencing analog textures, pop culture, and urban forms. His compositions combine strong structure with poetic detail, aiming to create work that resonates both visually and emotionally.
Since 2013, he has been collaborating with Typographia, where he played a central role in shaping the brand’s visual identity across multiple collections, with a particular focus on the intersection between design and textile. His approach is rooted in visual clarity, structural balance, and a keen attention to concept — often using illustration as a bridge between narrative and form.
Over the years, João has worked with a range of cultural institutions and creative collectives. His international collaborations include the Silkroad International Film Festival in Dublin, where he has developed the annual visual identity since 2017. He was also responsible for designing the visual identity of Monpeh, a Japanese brand dedicated to reimagining traditional monpe trousers through a contemporary lens.
In Portugal, he has created graphic work for the Cineclube do Porto, the Municipality of Guimarães, and cultural platforms such as CAV, Astronauta, Elephant Musik, and Capivara Azul.
His editorial and print work includes posters, album covers, visual identities, and publications such as Memórias Particulares dum Combatente da Primeira Guerra Mundial and multiple issues of the magazine Guimarães C Visível. His work has also been featured in group exhibitions including 40 Years, 40 Artists (Pudim Studio, 2019) and the Bienal de Ilustração de Guimarães (BIG) in 2021.
Influenced by cinema, architecture, and music, João’s visual language is both precise and expressive — often referencing analog textures, pop culture, and urban forms. His compositions combine strong structure with poetic detail, aiming to create work that resonates both visually and emotionally.
Education
2009 - 2012 ESAD( Escola Superior de Arte e Design) - Communication design, bachelor's degree
2012 - 2013 ESAD(Escola Superior de Arte e Design) - Communication design, pos-graduation
2013 Porto Design Summer School
2020-2021 EDIT. - Disruptive Digital Education - UI UX design
2009 - 2012 ESAD( Escola Superior de Arte e Design) - Communication design, bachelor's degree
2012 - 2013 ESAD(Escola Superior de Arte e Design) - Communication design, pos-graduation
2013 Porto Design Summer School
2020-2021 EDIT. - Disruptive Digital Education - UI UX design
Work
2008 High school internship on POPP design
2011 - now Handy man at designfonseca
2013 - 2020 Graphic designer and Creative director at TYPOGRAPHIA
2008 High school internship on POPP design
2011 - now Handy man at designfonseca
2013 - 2020 Graphic designer and Creative director at TYPOGRAPHIA
Expositions and Books
2012 Show us your type - Beirut
2013 ESAD Pop up store - Ser Português "Juro"
2013 ESAD Projeto Vitrina 12 montras 12 intervenções
2018 Guimarães noc-noc - Jazzism
2018 Rough SendPoints Publishing - Ciclo de cinema David Fincher
2019 Pudim studio - Exposição 40 anos, 40 Artistas
2021 MOSNTRA - Mostra/Montra territorial artística - Pop culture portraits
2021 3º Edição BIG - Bienal de Ilustração de Guimarães
2024 TREES OUTSIDE THE ACADEMY #6 with Fuga pela Escada
2012 Show us your type - Beirut
2013 ESAD Pop up store - Ser Português "Juro"
2013 ESAD Projeto Vitrina 12 montras 12 intervenções
2018 Guimarães noc-noc - Jazzism
2018 Rough SendPoints Publishing - Ciclo de cinema David Fincher
2019 Pudim studio - Exposição 40 anos, 40 Artistas
2021 MOSNTRA - Mostra/Montra territorial artística - Pop culture portraits
2021 3º Edição BIG - Bienal de Ilustração de Guimarães
2024 TREES OUTSIDE THE ACADEMY #6 with Fuga pela Escada