Francisco Laranjo

Francisco Laranjo is a Portuguese graphic designer, researcher, and educator with a PhD in Design Methods and Criticism from the University of the Arts London. He holds an MA in Visual Communication from the Royal College of Art and a BA from ESAD – Escola Superior de Artes e Design. Currently serving as Assistant Professor at Lusófona University, he also works as an Associate Lecturer at Central Saint Martins and Co-director of the Shared Institute.

• PhD in Design Methods and Criticism
• MA in Visual Communication
• BA in Communication Design

His work bridges graphic design with critical theory, focusing on design pedagogy, ethical implications of data-driven design, and the role of critique in professional practice. Publications span design criticism in Design Observer, Eye Magazine, and academic journals, while his teaching has reached institutions across 8 countries including CalArts, Sandberg Institute, and Zürich University of the Arts.

Recent publications demonstrate a trajectory toward critical design theory, post-pandemic design adaptation, and curatorial practices. Key themes include the intersection of design and politics, digital-physical hybridity, and pedagogical innovation in graphic design education.

As Editor of Modes of Criticism and co-director of Shared Institute, Laranjo fosters critical discourse through curatorial projects like the 2022 'Designers Troublemakers' exhibition and the upcoming 2025 'Graphic Collection – 50 years of design in Portugal' at the Polytechnic University of Porto.