Design takes an active part in cultural construction and mediation. The Design for Culture research cluster explores processes of knowledge production and dissemination regarding the culture of design (including its history and ethics), material culture, the culture of inhabiting, visual and expressive culture. The diversity of local and national identity expressions is valued, as well as the enhancement of the values of minority cultures.

Industry and manufacturing are understood as cultural forms, and it is of the utmost importance to cross borders between knowing, making and know-how, with a focus on a knowledge economy that is able to triangulate design, industry and society.

This research cluster is responsible for the direction of Casa do Design, Matosinhos, an important design programming space in Portugal, dedicated to the promotion of Portuguese (and international) design and valuing curatorship as a means of disseminating knowledge and educating audiences.

A specialization in publishing and an interest in the dissemination of science and design culture, literacy and digitalization of knowledge should also be highlighted.

Porto Design Biennale, the most important national event in the area of Design, is among esad—idea’s key projects.

Through design and interdisciplinary practices, the Research for Society cluster develops projects that contribute to social inclusion and citizenship applied to the regional territory.

The research and service provision projects developed in this area aim to foster the local economy (namely through the ESAD Design Cluster of the Matosinhos Municipal Market), contributing to sustainability, literacy, as well as devising and implementing solutions in the areas of tourism, leisure, and hospitality.

The projects developed are for the most part based on processes of participation, collaboration and co-design, with design contributing to more balanced models of public governance and social, environmental and territorial requalification.

The main projects include: “O Bairro está IN(clusivo)/Bairros Saudáveis” (2021-2022) and Porto Think Tanks/ New European Bauhaus (2022).

The Research for Life cluster is based on the prevalence of bio-centered design research, developing projects, particularly in the area of bio-design and nature-based solutions that contribute to health and well-being. 

Attention is also given to multi-species coexistence and the balance of ecosystems, in what we consider to be a biophilic design orientation.

Due to its geographical location, esad—idea promotes research dedicated to maritime and river resources, and is part of one of the most important national “blue design” consortiums, the Blue Design Alliance.