Alberto Cardoso (1918-1999)
O “pintor, layoutista, arte finalista, montrista, decorador e fotógrafo” que se tornou designer
- Name
- Paulo Marcelo
- Year
- 2022
- Institution
- Lisbon School of Architecture Universidade de Lisboa
- Supervisors
- João Paulo Martins
- Discipline
- Communication Design
- Scope
- Design History
- Taxonomy
- Phenomenology
- Type
- Theoretical
- Language
- Portuguese
- Wordcount / Pagecount
- 89,083 / 435
- Joint supervision
- No
A historical study of the designer Alberto Cardoso and his contribution to Portuguese graphic design and advertising
Research Process (10 methods)
x
Archives of the OLIVA company
References to Oliva in booklets and leaflets found in second-hand booksellers, antique shops
Alberto Cardoso's closest relatives: his children (José and Dalila Cardoso) and his son-in-law (Manuel Gonçalves)
Printed and original documents provided by the family, including sketches, study drawings, personal and professional correspondence, and press clippings, and photographic archive
Specialists who knew Alberto Cardoso personally or were familiar with his professional work
Resolving concrete technical or historical doubts regarding Cardoso's design practice
Cardoso's works from national institutions such as the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, National Library of Portugal, National Archive of Torre do Tombo, and the Museum of Popular Art
objects gathered for the collection, including book covers, advertisements, posters, symbols, stamps, and commercial stand decorations
sample of objects gathered for the collection, including book covers, advertisements, posters, symbols, stamps, and commercial stand decorations
| # | Name of Method | Research Phase | Research Approach | Researcher Role | Object of Study / Participants | N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Literature review | Exploratory | Qualitative | x | x | x |
| 2 | Document analysis | Exploratory/Generative | Qualitative | x | Archives of the OLIVA company | unspecified |
| 3 | Document analysis | Exploratory/Generative | Qualitative | x | References to Oliva in booklets and leaflets found in second-hand booksellers, antique shops | unspecified |
| 4 | Interview | Generative | Qualitative | x | Alberto Cardoso's closest relatives: his children (José and Dalila Cardoso) and his son-in-law (Manuel Gonçalves) | 4 |
| 5 | Document analysis | Generative | Qualitative | x | Printed and original documents provided by the family, including sketches, study drawings, personal and professional correspondence, and press clippings, and photographic archive | |
| 6 | Interview | Generative | Qualitative | x | Specialists who knew Alberto Cardoso personally or were familiar with his professional work | unspecified |
| 7 | Expert panel | Generative | Qualitative | x | Resolving concrete technical or historical doubts regarding Cardoso's design practice | unspecified |
| 8 | Document analysis | Generative | Qualitative | x | Cardoso's works from national institutions such as the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, National Library of Portugal, National Archive of Torre do Tombo, and the Museum of Popular Art | unspecified |
| 9 | Artefact analysis | Generative | Qualitative | x | objects gathered for the collection, including book covers, advertisements, posters, symbols, stamps, and commercial stand decorations | 746 |
| 10 | Artefact analysis | Generative/Evaluative | Qualitative | x | sample of objects gathered for the collection, including book covers, advertisements, posters, symbols, stamps, and commercial stand decorations | unspecified |
Knowledge Transfer & Exchange
Knowledge Exchange (PhD Process): Produced with input
| IK&T | Academia | Design Practice | Society |
|---|---|---|---|
| Context | Yes | No | No |
| Vision | No | No | No |
| Means | No | No | No |
Recommendations (5)
Use the newly organized archive to identify additional, still-unknown works by Alberto Cardoso and relate them to his confirmed oeuvre.
- Scope:
- Macro
- Time Horizon:
- Long
- Evidence Strength:
- Exploratory
- Feasibility:
- Medium
Undertake a more detailed study of Alberto Cardoso’s calligraphic work and hand-drawn lettering, given its experimental and highly distinctive character.
- Scope:
- Macro
- Time Horizon:
- Long
- Evidence Strength:
- Exploratory
- Feasibility:
- Medium
Carry out a rigorous study of Alberto Cardoso’s exhibition stands, potentially through a stronger dialogue with architecture and spatial-design research.
- Scope:
- Macro
- Time Horizon:
- Long
- Evidence Strength:
- Exploratory
- Feasibility:
- Medium
Develop a deeper analysis of Cardoso’s illustrated advertising, especially the recurring figurative elements and graphic resources that function as his distinctive signature.
- Scope:
- Macro
- Time Horizon:
- Long
- Evidence Strength:
- Exploratory
- Feasibility:
- Medium
Continue the analytical study of Cardoso’s oeuvre using the grid applied in the thesis—or another more suitable tool—in order to produce deeper critical readings and support future Portuguese design-history research.
- Scope:
- Macro
- Time Horizon:
- Long
- Evidence Strength:
- Indicative
- Feasibility:
- High