Projects — Barbot Bernardo

Jazzego

TJazzego, an independent jazz label, kickstarted our new free mentorship programme for not-for-profits and social businesses in the Porto region (Portugal). This project will provide strategic support to Jazzego, focusing on fund-raising and revenue stream optimization to expand the catalogue and support artists, fund research and creative processes, launch education and capacity-building projects and expand their distribution internationally.

Natural Dyeing School for the Revive Project

The Revive Project is part of the Europe Through Textiles: Network for an integrated and interdisciplinary Humanities (EuroWeb - Cost Action 19131), which vision is to re-write European history based on its massive production, trade, consumption and reuse of textiles and dress. During 4 days, Euroweb participants had the opportunity to learn with Alice Bernardo and Guida Fonseca about natural colourants, historical dyeing, dyeing techniques and mordanting, mordant dyes (weld, madder, cochineal & others), vat dyes and direct dyes (indigo, woad, orchil).

Hakko House

Mentoring and strategic support to rethink the restaurant and bakery business model.

Susto

Strategy and graphic design for a new product design and interiors brand. Susto, a brand to be launched in 2023, is a project dedicated to interior design with a strong focus on artisanal processes, new materials and expressions. Careful research informs the brand, whose creative direction plays with different aesthetic currents and reflects the frontiers of design and visual arts and the future of craftsmanship.

GatewayCrafts

GatewayCrafts is an Erasmus Plus project starting in 2023 coordinated by Ofício / Saber Fazer and has Cru Creative Hub (Por) and Matera Hub (ITA) as partners. The project consists of preparing pilots to facilitate access to technical knowledge in small-scale manufacturing and artisanal work. In addition, it will seek to develop and distribute high-quality educational content, oriented and adapted for contemporary audiences and digital media.

Circular Art Marketplace

Strategic Plan and Business Model for a collaborative platform and marketplace for European artists and designers working with sustainable materials.

Shearing Training

We organised several shearing training events for public and private organisatios in Northern Portugal in the spring of 2023. Our target audience was shearers, producers, and other professionals interested in sheep production. The training was led by Martin O’Connel, a professional shearer from New Zealand and a member of the Saber Fazer team. He shares his technique and professional experience in this area. Susana O'Connel monitors and explains the shearing technique and principles that respect the animal and the fibre until the wool is removed.

Capacity Building for the Serralves Foundation

In 2023, we launched a training project for technicians from the Serralves Park education service to create new activities for different audiences, taking advantage of the Park's existing resources. We organised training sessions on wool processing, weaving and shearing to use wool from the Park's flock and integrate wool processing into the annual educational activities. Once again, we planted flax and organised a long-form linen course from seed to yarn.

Capacity Building for Parque Biológico de Gaia

In 2023, we launched a training project for technicians from the Gaia Biological Park education service to create new activities for different audiences, taking advantage of the Park's existing resources. We organised training sessions on wool processing to use wool from the Park's flock and integrate wool processing into the annual educational activities.

Flattie

Strategic design and innovation management. In 2023 we helped a group of Portuguese researchers in the development of a urban cycling helmet, made of sustainable materials, that will be go to the market by the end of 2024

BREAK IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

Communication strategy and graphic design. One of the 29 European projects awarded by the MusicAIRE programme, #BREAK is a two-week hybrid bootcamp for independent musicians and labels, focused on the exchange and transmission of digital skills concerning some of the most pressing aspects of today’s music industry.

Marca d'Água

Visual identity for a new real estate developer in Porto.

K+J

Mentoring and strategic support to design a business model for a new hospitality project in Douro, Northern Portugal.

Cultura Para Todos em Vinhais

Project management, contents, training and graphic and editorial design. Cultura Para Todos em Vinhais is a project dedicated to promoting artistic and cultural practices in the Municipality of Vinhais, a remote region in Northeastern Portugal. Our intervention focuses on the wool cluster and includes training and education for local stakeholders, developing learning materials and registering traditional weaving patterns and techniques.

Alfaiate do Livro

Mentoring and strategic support. Small strategic consultancy project to outline a business model for Alfaiate do Livro, a small company in Porto dedicated to artisanal bookbinding.

Cabanas Lodging Services

Visual identity and website for a company operating in the hospitality sector.

ASK
Mentorship and strategy. We started 2023 with a small strategic consultancy project for the founders of ASK , a social game created and produced in Portugal, which, using 120 questions, leads to deep conversations and challenges pla

ASK

Mentorship and strategy. We started 2023 with a small strategic consultancy project for the founders of ASK, a social game created and produced in Portugal, which, using 120 questions, leads to deep conversations and challenges players to get to know each other better.

FIO Jardins Suspensos

Proposal writing to the grant Green and Digital Startups Voucher from the Portuguese government. With this project, FIO, dedicated to commercialising Kokedamas and green functional wall covering, pretends to launch an internationalization strategy.

VIC // Aveiro Arts House

Brand and communication strategy for one of the most critical players in Aveiro's cultural scene. Located in the heart of Aveiro, more precisely in the former residence of the multifaceted artist Vasco Branco (1919-2014), VIC // Aveiro Arts House is a creative ecosystem that combines guesthouse, artistic residencies, house-museum, micro-arts centre, store-gallery, cultural producer and publisher.

FAHR 021.3

Strategy for a creative studio. FAHR 021.3 is an artistic practice and one of the most international studios in Porto, with interventions reaching over the globe. Our collaboration covered areas such as redesigning the studio business model, repositioning its work focus and setting priorities for the next decade.

Nova Type Foundry

Digital marketing and graphic design services for a Portuguese type foundry. Before we officially became partners, our relationship with Nova Type Foundry started by providing social media management, content development and graphic design services. You can read more about this project in our Journal.

ONEX.

Brand strategy and graphic design for a catering solutions provider. The challenge with ONEX (Onexperience Group) entailed simplifying how the brand is presented in different markets as well as developing a new identity and shared visual system to the seven companies composing the conglomerate.

Horta do Ser

Strategy for an education and small textile production project focused on wool. In this project, we helped the founders of this project in Alentejo, Southern Portugal, to develop a plan for a tourist, educational and cultural business.

Susana Baldaia

Strategy for visual artist Susana Baldaia, whose work is informed by experimentation in structures, design and textile art. In this project, we supported the artist in positioning her practice and in the development of an archive of her work.

Ana Paula Almeida

Brand development and graphic design for a product designer and visual artist. The challenge started by analysing the client's ideas about a new brand for her artistic practice and product design projects. Next, we used the artist's name and created an identity based on typography and illustration. This new identity reflects craftsmanship values and the relationship between an industrial city and its surrounding mountains. Find out how we created Ana Paula Almeida’s identity.

Shearing Demonstration

Over the past few years, we have been organising, for different entities, shearing demonstrations aimed at the end public. With wool's economic devaluation as a raw material, shearing practices have also been degraded. Therefore, it is urgent to raise awareness for shearing that guarantees animal welfare and safeguards the quality of the wool removed.

ALLPACAS

Strategic planning for an alpaca producing company. This project aims to support Royalpacas in strategic planning to the creation of a business that begins in animal production and goes through the different stages of transformation of its wool.

Ingrid Costa

Strategy for a new fashion brand. In this project, we supported the designer in defining the brand's business model and its go-to-market strategy.

Clã

Strategic planning for Clã, a Portuguese music band. During the tour for the new LP, Véspera, and in the midst of celebrating their 30th anniversary, we initiated a collaboration to prepare the band for the next three decades. Not forgetting the band's vast legacy, we focused on addressing new and old audiences and delivered methodologies to identify opportunities for funding the artistic work and new creative projects.

Ablesia

Strategy for one of the most interesting Portuguese slow fashion brands. In this project, we supported the founder of ABLESIA, redefining her business model and strategic guidance considering new audiences, internationalisation and a new positioning in its value-chain.

Reality Studio

Marketing strategy and digital marketing. Reality Studio is a brand founded in Berlin by the designer Svenja Specht, who has a great interest in craftsmanship, small-scale production, quality and her community. In this project, we supported Svenja in re-strategising the business and planning and monitoring the brand's digital marketing strategy.

Out To Lunch

Founded by Yoske Nishiumi, Out To Lunch is a reference in the independent retail scene in Porto. With a strong Japanese inspiration, the store is dedicated to fashion, craft and food. In this project, we supported OTL in transitioning from a purely retail model to a hybrid one, combining retail and catering.

Quinta das Carpas

Planning and technical advice for a tourism unit located in Guimarães, Portugal. In this project, we supported Quinta das Carpas in developing a concept to install an agroecological educational unit dedicated to producing natural textile fibres.

Bombarda Porto Art District

Assistance to Associação Quarteirão Criativo in the preparation of different proposals for grants and incentive programs. For over 25 years, the Miguel Bombarda District has established itself as an epicentre of artistic and creative businesses in Porto. The Association, founded in 2022, represents several dozen businesses and aims to boost projects in favour of the broader community of the neighbourhood.

Muun Consulting

Project management and support in the preparation of proposals. We supported Muun Consulting by managing a project to organise four techweek events throughout 2022 and 2023. During 2022 we also helped this consultancy firm in the development of different projects and prepared different proposals for national grants.

Inovar.te

Graphic design, editorial design, strategy and creative direction. In this project, we supported one of the founders and editor-in-chief of Inovar.te in the relaunch of the first Innovation magazine in Portugal. Inovar.te has been absent from the market for more than ten years and is now planning for a comeback.

Otília Flowers

Strategy for an exceptional florist in the centre of Porto. In this project, we supported Otília Fowers in a planning process to reopen its iconic store in the Quarteirão de Miguel Bombarda. In the project, we rethought the store's entire operation and optimised the offering considering its different audiences.

Rosa Malva

Strategy and digital marketing. Our intervention at Rosa Malva aimed to reposition the brand in its more traditional markets, redefine the value-chain, develop new products and implement a DTC (direct-to-consumer) strategy.

Associação Saber Fazer

Preparation of proposals for cooperation programs for Associação Saber Fazer, a not-for-profit founded in 2021, with the aim of, among others, making Portuguese manufacturing a strategic asset for an inclusive and sustainable development of territories and communities.

Indieworkers

Indieworkers is a project by our partners at Cru Creative Hub dedicated to independent workers in the Creative Industries. In recent years we have been collaborating with the project in training events, in its podcast (as interviewers and interviewees) and in supporting the preparation of applications to grants and cooperation programmes.

Sust.co

Strategy, web design, graphic design and photography for a new marketplace. Sust.co is a platform dedicated to the universe of design, art and craft, topics that are naturally very close to our hearts. In this project, we supported the company by defining its business model and planning for its market entry. We also developed the entire visual identity of the brand.

Cordoa Sandals

Illustration for a brand of handmade sandals. The founder of Cordoa Sandals commissioned us with a series of illustrations for the brand's social media.

Trindade Padaria Artesanal

Strategy for an artisanal bakery in Porto with both a B2B and B2C operation . The project with Trindade was dedicated to reflecting on the different strategic paths the bakery could take in a post-pandemic future.

Estúdio Cozinha

Strategy for a creative studio. Estúdio Cozinha is a reference in the food scene in Porto and the passion of its charismatic founders. In this project, we supported the company in strategic planning, developing a business model and defining priorities for the coming years.

Batalha Centro de Cinema

Technical support for a historic cinema in Central Porto. In this project, we supported Ágora, a company within the Municipality of Porto sphere, in defining an operating model for the bar-cafeteria of the iconic and superbly restored Cinema Batalha.
Photograph: Batalha Centro de Cinema

Porto Fashion and Fabric Museum

Research, creation of exhibition content, production of texts and technical and scientific advice for the installation of the Porto Fashion and Fabric Museum located at WOW - World of Wine, in Vila Nova de Gaia.

Bardo Creative Ground

Strategy for a creative studio. Bardo is an agency dedicated to communication in the design world. This project resulted in restructuring the business cost structure, separating the business areas (communication services and retail) and redefining its strategic positioning in this competitive market.

Stay Wise

Strategy for a bookstore dedicated to visual culture. Stay Wise was once a kiosk in the now closed Galerias Lumiére, an “indy” retail space in Central Porto. With our help, the founders relaunched the project in a new store in front of Palácio de Cristal park.

Atlier Campilho

Strategy for an architecture studio. This was a small project to define the general strategic lines for developing an architecture and research practice. Atelier Campilho practice is focused on historic buildings renovation and on the research and documentation of traditional building techniques.

iGUANEYE

Marketing strategy, digital marketing, content and photography. iGUANEYE is one of the most innovative and sustainable brands in footwear. We started by supporting the brand’s founder in defining its entire marketing strategy. Later, we worked on iGUANEYE’s digital presence, including developing new content, implementing the digital marketing strategy and managing social media and its online community.

Consulting to a denim dyeing factory (Natural Dyeing with Indigo)

We supported a denim washing and dyeing company specializing in the research and development process of dyeing processes with Indigo without using chemicals. The client applied the research results to develop sustainable high-added value solutions.

Grampa

Strategy and graphic design for a store in Central Porto. Our client asked us to help her with planning for the upcoming years of a family's historical business right next to the renovated Bolhão Market. Keeping the textile theme of the company, the department store will now welcome a new universe dedicated to national manufacture. Get to know Grampa’s visual identity.

CRU Creative Hub

Strategy and graphic design for Porto’s first coworking space and Creative Hub. Our work led to a revolution at Cru Creative Hub, with a complete redefinition of physical spaces, the creation of new services, including a bar and audio and photography studios, and also rethinking the international positioning of the company.

Cru Specialty Coffee Bar

Strategy and graphic design. Our work, which led to the revolution at Cru Creative Hub, impacted many of its spaces, including the front of the house, where a new bar dedicated to specialty coffee was installed, and the back, where our partners at Senzu Coffee Roasters moved with their equipment.

Cru Loja

Strategy and graphic design for CRU Loja, a reference in the Portuguese design retail space. In this process, we rethought the store offering, layouts and articulation with the different spaces of the Creative Hub where it is located.

The Seed

Graphic design for a “hybrid and flexible business” that spreads across several areas, from strategic consulting to retail and product development. We developed an equally flexible visual identity. Find out how we made The Seed’s identity.

NEVOAZUL

Editorial strategy, content and photography direction for NEVOAZUL magazine. This project was structured into three chapters. The first was dedicated to the magazine’s audience, the second to the editorial structure and the third to the business model. For the third edition, we were also responsible for the photography direction and interviewed the photographer João Bernardino. Read about NEVOAZUL in our Journal.

Portuguese Wool at PINTA, Vimioso

Educational event where we organized two workshops: “The Portuguese Wool” and “Wool Processing”.

Saber Fazer

Editorial design and visual identity for our sibling project. Naturally, our intervention and connection to Saber Fazer is deeper than simple graphic design. However, with so many materials produced throughout the year, this is probably the most visible element of this relationship.

Associação de Jovens Agricultores de Moura

Assistance in the preparation of a proposal and creating a consortium for a large project in the area of sustainable production. The project focused on agritourism and ecology in Alentejo's Montado (Natura 2000 Network).

Ana Rita de Albuquerque

Strategy, archive organisation, and graphic design for a visual artist. In this project, we supported Ana Rita de Albuquerque in her positioning as a visual artist and organising her archive. Subsequently, we developed her visual identity, having as a starting point her chosen medium, felted wool, and the entire visual universe where she moves. Read more about the artist in our Journal.

Oficinas do Convento

Preparation of a proposal for a government grant. In 2021, we challenged the Oficinas do Convento to partner with local stakeholders to design a new project to revive the sustainable and energy-efficient construction sector. The project focused on ancient building techniques and local materials like earth (clay, rammed earth) and cork.

MANNA Food & Yoga

Strategy and graphic design for a restaurant in Porto serving specialty coffee, natural wines and vegetarian and vegan food. MANNA's strategic planning was done at a time of optimism amidst a tourism boom. Still, the stars tried to put everything we did to the test: the restaurant opened just two months before the beginning of the Pandemic. Three years later, it's still going strong. You can read more about Manna in our Journal.

Prata

Strategy and graphic design for a dancewear brand. This project started in 2019, and Ofício's team has, since then, supported the founder with consultancy in all components of the creation of the business, from design to creative direction, from supply-chain and production to finance. How we designed Prata’s visual identity.

Off-Milk

Web design for a distributor of vegan food products. In this project, we sought to visually position Off-Milk among the different retailers and present an appealing product portfolio considering both the B2B and B2C markets.

Cura

Mentorship and strategic support for a Portuguese vegan cheese brand. The small project we developed for Cura aimed at establishing a distribution model and sales strategy.

Aliados Consulting

Over the last few years, we have supported Aliados Consulting, a strategic partner, in developing their website and preparing proposals for different incentive systems and Government grants in the fields of sustainability and circular economy.

Senzu Coffee Roasters

Photography. Porto based Senzu Coffee Roasters is a pioneering brand and one of the most renowned Portuguese specialty coffee roasters. Over the years, we have been photographing their daily life. See the album here.

M AAH (Belgium)

Sourcing for an arts and crafts shop in Antwerp. In this project, we accompanied M AAH on a tour of artists, artisans and small producers and oriented some of their visits to Portugal on their own. As a result, you can find some products from our network of partners and collaborators in the M AAH store.

ML

Strategy for a new restaurant in Porto. We developed a business model for the project and scouted the restaurant’s location.

Estúdio Ricardo Gil

Mentorship and strategy. Ricardo Gil is an alumni of Saber Fazer and has spent the last few years perfecting his weaving technique. This project aimed to support the design of the studio’s strategy, including market positioning, business model, pricing and sales. Read in our Journal about one of our visits to the studio.

L Garcia (USA/ Spain)

Sourcing and identification of suppliers both for a store to open in Catalonia and an already established design practice interiors in the US. Throughout 2019 and 2020, we carried out a prospective study and accompanied our client on a tour of artisans and small-scale producers.

Darga Crafts

Photography and market assessment for a designer and craftsman. Darga Crafts is by Sérgio Lemos, a designer, artist and educator from Porto, who has a foothold in Funchal, where he usually lives. His imagery is inspired by nature, design and manual labour. Read in our journal about one of our visits to the studio.

Quito

Strategy and product development. Quito was born from the work of the sculptor Marco Fidalgo and his obsession with learning new techniques and experimentation.

Eduardo Leitão

Strategy for a new STEM toys brand based on Eduardo’s passions: science, digital fabrication and innovative pedagogies and education.

Maria Amélia

Strategy for an arts and crafts online shop. Mariaamelia's founders asked us for help to rethink the entire business model and positioning of the brand in the market. In the project, we rethought the whole business model and defined an action plan for the following years.

Indigo Dyeing at Museu do Oriente

A project for Fundação do Oriente in Lisbon, where we organised courses dedicated to organic dyeing with indigo and pigment extraction.

Saber Fazer no Teatro D. Maria II

Workshops "Basket Weaving" and "Wool Processing" as part of the event "Portugal em Vias de Extinção" held in 2018 at the D. Maria II Theater in Lisbon.

Pão da Terra

Strategy for a new artisanal bakery at the Matosinhos Fish Market. In this project, we helped Pão da Terra's founder by designing a complete business model and worked side by side until the bakery opened.

Vale de Gatos

Strategy for a small textile production project focused on wool and natural dyeing. In this project, we helped the owners of Vale de Gatos in Viana do Alentejo develop a plan for the tourist, artistic, educational and cultural exploration of their home and workshop.

Wool Production and Processing

Research into small-scale wool processing methods. The work developed allowed us to acquire fundamental knowledge and apply it in different educational and technical consulting projects. As a direct result of this project, we also highlight the publication of different technical books and manuals.

Silk Production

In 2015 and 2016, we developed a research project dedicated to small-scale silk production, from silkworm breeding to thread extraction. The work developed allowed us to acquire fundamental knowledge and apply it in different educational projects, such as Saber Fazer em Serralves and Saber Fazer em Famalicão. As a direct result of this project, we also highlight the publication of the manual “A Seda - Da Lagarta ao Fio” published by Saber Fazer in 2023.

Natural Dyeing

Since 2015, we have been developing research activities related to natural dyeing, including producing dye plants in organic mode, extracting pigment and subsequent dyeing. Among the species produced are Isatis tinctoria, Persiscaria tinctoria and Indigofera suffruticosa, all related to Indigo and Rubia tinctorium, Coriopsis tinctoria, Isatis tinctoria and Persicaria tinctoria. The research has allowed us to create the knowledge base for many activities, including our own training programs, online courses, projects such as Saber Fazer em Serralves and Saber Fazer em Famalicão, and consultancy services for private clients.

Flax and Linen Production

Since 2015, we have been developing research activities related to flax and linen production, specifically Linho Galego, an indigenous variety from Portugal. The research has allowed us to create the knowledge base for many activities, including our training programs, online courses such as the one developed in the GatewayCrafts project, projects such as Saber Fazer em Serralves and Saber Fazer em Famalicão, and production consultancy services for private clients.

Craftmanship+ (Porto/ UE)

Project management and proposal preparation for an Erasmus+ project. The idea for the project came from Ofício/Saber Fazer, an application prepared with the consultancy Advancis Business Services, Aveiro University and a consortium of organisations from different countries. Started in 2015, Craftsmanship+ focused on knowledge transmission processes in the craft sector, both in terms of teaching techniques and in management and entrepreneurship processes.

Saber Fazer na Festa do Outono de Serralves

Since 2014, Saber Fazer has been responsible for organising and guiding educational and experimental activities at the Festa do Outono, a large event that takes place annually in the Serralves Foundation park, in Porto. Our activities, which occupy a considerable area of the event, are dedicated to areas such as Wool Processing, Wool Felting, Weaving and Basketry.

Saber Fazer em Famalicão

This was a research and education project for the Municipality of Famalicão, where activities were carried out in two basic schools, the Museu da Indústria Têxtil da Bacia do Ave and Parque da Devesa. The activities were dedicated to flax, linen, silk, and natural dyeing plants, including demonstration and long-term courses with all the productive cycles.

Portuguese Wool

This was pioneering work, as all the wool from native Portuguese breeds was gathered and processed for the first time. The knowledge gained gave us valuable insights into the type of wool that each native breed produces and its potential for textile use.

Saber Fazer em Serralves

Research project and annual educational program for the Serralves Foundation. The project included activities dedicated to natural textile fibres and their processing techniques. The entire program was supported by the production of raw materials in situ, namely wool from the Serralves Park herd, linen, silk, and dye plants.

Inovagri

Project management for CONFAGRI. For the third edition of the consulting and business training Inovagri Program, we supported 25 agri-business co-ops in Portugal.

Lupa

Strategy for a homeware and illustration brand. The work with Lupa in 2013 was one of the first with the "brand" Ofício. Still, it was not the first or the last collaboration with the illustrator Maria Helena, who, eight years later, joined our team as art director and senior designer. In this project, we supported the brand with its strategy and in supplier identification and product development.

Mafalda's

Strategy for a restaurant at the Matosinhos Fish Market. Mafalda’s is one of the projects we are particularly proud of. In 2013 Mafalda Pando asked us for help in rethinking her business shortly after taking it on independently. We reflected on possible ways forward and planned a completely different concept for the restaurant, which was the basis for its future growth.

Piurra Furnituring

Strategy for a furniture brand. In this project, we supported Piurra num processo de spin-off's creative director in a spin-off process and in the establishment of the brand as an independent company. After diagnosing and surveying possible paths, we designed a plan to reopen a physical store and defined a new sales strategy.

Roteiro Oficinal do Porto

Research and documentation on the productive ecosystem in Porto. ROP, a Saber Fazer project, began in November 2012 to map the specialised local labour and small-scale production units that currently work in the city.

Camisaria Machado

Photography for a custom-made shirt production business. Camisaria Machado is a family business founded in the 1980s in Joane, Famalicão. In this project, carried out in 2012, we portrayed daily-life at the workshop. See the album here.

Velo Culture

Strategy, marketing and graphic design for a pioneering project in the Matosinhos Fish Market. Founded in 2011, Velo Culture is a reference brand in everything that respects cycling as a means of transport and a more discerning way of being in road and travel cycling. Read about Velo Culture in our Journal.

Mulheres de Cucos

In 2011, we recorded wool processing in Bucos, Northern Portugal. This involved excellent community involvement, which resulted in our contribution to the book Mulheres de Bucos—Trabalho da Lã and in the curatorial process for the installation of a museum at Casa da Lã, which can still be visited today.

Flax and Linen Production

Since 2015, we have been developing research activities related to flax and linen production, specifically Linho Galego, an indigenous variety from Portugal. The research has allowed us to create the knowledge base for many activities, including our training programs, online courses such as the one developed in the GatewayCrafts project, projects such as Saber Fazer em Serralves and Saber Fazer em Famalicão, and production consultancy services for private clients.

Factor PME

Support to a Portuguese consultancy in the technical coordination of a joint project in the field of digital economy and information and communication technologies. The project was funded by COMPETE.