Archive

Plural Futures III: Implications

Rui Marcelino (Almadesign)

SEMINAR
MAY 25TH OF 2026, 3PM
ATRIUM BETWEEN BUILDINGS EP1 – ESAD.CR

The Seminar Course of the Industrial Design Bachelor at ESAD.CR returns with a new cycle under the theme Plural Futures III: Implications, proposing a critical immersion into the contemporary conditions of design and the responsibilities that emerge from it.
Starting from the figure of the designer as both a critical subject and a producer of economic, material, and cultural value, this seminar positions itself as a transitional space between academic training and professional practice, questioning how designers act, decide, and position themselves within an
unstable, unequal, and technologically accelerated world.
Organised in an intensive format, with public forums featuring invited guests, the programme brings together different perspectives to discuss what design does and what it implies – across production systems, social structures, economies, and the ways of life it helps to shape.
This cycle proposes to think of design as a situated, political, and ethical practice, capable of anticipating scenarios, challenging established models, and actively participating in the construction of more conscious, sustainable, and plural futures. Between products, brands, systems, and narratives, the seminar establishes itself as a space for listening, confrontation, and critical positioning.

Born in Porto, Rui Marcelino has a Degree in Mechanical Engineering (IST, Lisbon), Master in Transportation Design (SPD, Milan) and PhD in Design (FAUTL, Lisbon) in the field of Product Design Management.  After an experience at Centro Stile Alfa Romeo, he founded Almadesign in 1997, a design studio dedicated to Transportation, Products, and Interiors, being responsible for the company’s management and over 800 design projects. With Almadesign he received several National and International Awards such as Prémio Nacional de Design, Prémio Daciano da Costa, Good Design Award, Red Dot Design Award, IF Design Awards, IDA Prizes and the Crystal Cabin Awards. 
He has been teaching Product and Service Design at EUAC, IST (University of Lisbon) and FAUL (University of Lisbon) where he is currently Associate Professor and Coordinator of the Master in Product Design. 
Rui Marcelino participates actively in the development of cooperation networks, being co-founder of PEMAS – Portuguese Association for the Aeronautical Industry; AED – Aeronautics, Space and Defence Cluster; and PFP – Portuguese Railways Platform Cluster. Presently he is at the Board of AED, PFP, Forum Oceano and COTEC. 
He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the C.I.C.C. – Cluster of Cultural and Creative Industries association and serves on the Advisory Council of the DEM: Department of Mechanical Engineering at Instituto Superior Técnico in Lisbon. 
Engaged in the promotion of national and european R&D collaborative projects in the fields of Aeronautical, Road, Rail and Nautical Transport (such as LIFE, IBUS, ISEAT, DESAIR, ETOILET, INTRAIN, NEWFACE, FLEXCRAFT, MODSEAT, PASSARO, FLY.PT, FERROVIA 4.0 and PASSME among others). 
These projects integrate the industry with scientific and technological institutions to develop innovative solutions, to create and boost industrial competencies and to increase the partners’ internationalization.