From Painting to Graphic Arts: The Unique Legacy of Armando Alves

This paper analyses the professional life and work of Armando Alves. Graduated in Painting from the School of Fine Arts of Porto, the artist distinguished himself in the field of graphic arts, not only for his academic contribution, but also for his intense activity in the field of design. Although he has a vast legacy of graphic works carried out in the last 60 years, this study is focused on his contribution to the establishment of the graphic arts subject in higher education, as well as in the analysis of a set of rare books, selected by Armando Alves as those that truly marked his career as a designer. More than graphic works, these books are design objects created to be stroked, experienced, sensed and visualised. It is argued from this evidence that the books in question prefigure a return to craftsmanship and limited editions, which can be found in contemporary design as an empirical and intuitive counterpoint to the prevalence of immaterial digital content and processes.