Neo-Psychedelic
A visual exploration
Sara Quintanilha
Graduate in Design
The course philosophy is based on methodology and visual strategy, allowing individual and personal interests to be explored through focused study in visual communication design. Guided by renowned faculty and guest lecturers, students are encouraged to engage with diverse perspectives, through practical and theoretical exploration, including hands-on workshops, designed to challenge and expand communication design practice.
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Critical, practice-based and contextual learning
Central to the course philosophy is the proposition that Design is thinking made visible, and that in order to respond to today’s multiple communication needs and platforms, a Visual Communication designer needs to be able to develop multi-form responses. Thus Multimedia is not a component or a specialism of contemporary Design, it is its definition.
Communication Design is called upon to structure messages to be understood by a broad audience. It needs to model perceptions as well as to transmit information and as a consequence designers benefit from being able to draw inspiration and ideas from a wide variety of experiences and bodies of knowledge. For this reason the course aims to expose students to opinions and expertise from as wide a spectrum as possible through a regular programme of visiting speakers, from within and outside of the profession.
Through its unique structure the MA in Communication Design at ESAD sets out to establish in the students mind a firm recognition and understanding of the critical capacities as well as practical skills necessary to navigate the contemporary Communication landscape and contribute to the building of a vibrant social practice.
Throughout the course, in Year One projects and in Year Two project proposals, the form and technological characteristics of student work is not predetermined. Instead, whatever the given theme or area of investigation, and guided by their personal interests, students are encouraged to search for the most appropriate form of output.
Structure, content and learning progression
Creative processes and tangible outcomes
Sara Quintanilha
André Santos
Serafim Alberto da Silva Mendes
External experience and new perspectives
Fabian Harb (CH) — Paul Hardman (UK) — Russel Bestley (UK) — Pedro Carvalho de Almeida (PT) — Patrick Thomas (UK) — Paul McNeil (UK)— Sonya Dyakova (UK) — Marco Balesteros (PT) — João Castro (PT) — John Morgan (UK) — Nina Paim (BR) — Macedo Cannatà (PT) — Liza Enebeis (NL) — Rejane Dal Bello (UK) — Jason Grant (AU) — Jessica Helfand (US) — Adrian Shaughnessy (UK) — Heitor Alvelos (PT) — Ronnie Fueglister (CH) — Hamish Muir (UK) — Ana Aragão (PT) — Tereza Ruller (NL)
Teaching, practice and research
Enriching lives, opening minds
Workshops, talks, exhibitions and on-site experiences
Graduate 2025–2026
Exams
● Época especial · 03 — 04.09.2026
Year 2026–2027
Evaluate the possibilities
Take the next step
Graduate in Design