The Designers Behind the New MDD Visual Identity
Matilde Cantinho and Mariana Bozano, both students of the track Interaction Design, joined forces to develop this year’s visual identity of the Master Digital Design. Their playful concept was chosen by our partners as the winner out of seven submitted proposals. Here they lift the lid on their motivation and inspiration as creatives.
MARIANA BOZANO
1. How do you describe your self as a designer?
I’m a generalist by nature. I like jumping across mediums and industries because that’s what keeps me inspired. Even though I’ve spent the last eight years working as a UX designer for a media company, I’ve also crossed off a lot of personal creative dreams: a book, an animation project, branding for all kinds of clients, clothing, startups. Exploring all that makes me feel more complete as a person and as a creative.
2. What brought you to MDD/Interaction Design?
I wanted to experiment with new approaches and give myself space for more self-initiated projects.
3. Tell us 3 curiosities about you as a creative?
I get more productive at night, 2000’s Brazilian funk boosts my focus like nothing else, and I’m unhealthily loyal to Lipton peach.
4. What's your favourite moment in the creative process?
The moment I dive deep into the visual side of things and hit that flow state. When I’m in it, nothing pulls me out (not even my dancing boyfriend).
5. Where did you draw inspiration for this project?
It started from the idea of playfulness. That took me back to my childhood, shaping things out of clay, sand or Lego. Playing with forms was fun, but it also pushed me to figure things out as I went.
6. What can't you miss at your desk?
My second monitor, my favourite playlist and, depending on the day, something sweet (yes, i have a sweet tooth).
MATILDE CANTINHO
1. How do you describe yourself as a designer?
I want to be an all-around creative. I enjoy combining different methodologies, mediums and disciplines, such as marketing, storytelling and design, to create impact.
2. What brought you to MDD/Interaction Design?
Although strategic communication is my background, I always craved to create and tell stories in a more visual way. After 4 years as a content marketeer in a design agency, I felt it was time to let loose of my creativity and explore the intersection of these fields and enrich my skillset.
3. Tell us 3 curiosities about you as a creative
I make tattoos in my free time. I don’t open my Figma boards next to people as they are chaos. Just like Mariana, I thrive when Brazilian funk is my soundtrack.
4. What's your favourite moment in the creative process?
Either getting expiration from museums, Pinterest or other projects or that Ah-ah moment after exploration where everything comes together and the concept comes to life! In this project, the long sleepover night we worked in a flow side by side with a playlist in the back and a lot of candies to get by.
5. Where did you draw inspiration from for this project?
The exact feeling that brought me to the programme in the first place: the opportunity to be around different perspectives, cultures and backgrounds to explore my designer self.
6. What can't you miss at your desk?
I actually prefer to sit in a cafe working with a oat milk cappuccino by my side, where i can feel inspired by other people (and also get distracted ahah).
Read more about Matilde and Mariana's concept here.
