Profile

João Bicker (1961) is a faculty member in the Department of Architecture at the Faculty of Science and Technology, as well as a researcher and creative director at the Computational Design and Visualization Lab at the Center for Informatics and Systems of the University of Coimbra. In this role, he has participated in research projects, supervised master’s dissertations and doctoral theses, focusing on data visualization, typography, and computational design, achieving both national and international recognition for his work.

With a Ph.D. in Contemporary Art, he teaches Typography and Design History in the Design and Multimedia courses at the University of Coimbra.

He is also a member and creative design director of the Círculo de Artes Plásticas de Coimbra and of Anozero — Biennial of Contemporary Art of Coimbra.

His work has been featured in various exhibitions, both in Portugal and abroad, including Portugal 1990-2004, Portuguese Architecture & Design (2004, Triennale di Milano), Gateways: An International Exhibition of Book Covers (2008, Porto), We Love Books: A World Tour (2008, Centre du Graphisme de Échirolles), Experimenta Design ‘Revolution 99-09’ (2010, Lisbon), and Talk to Me (2011, MoMA, New York).

He has received numerous awards, including the Red Dot Award (2009, 2010), National Design Award – Sena da Silva Trophy (Portugal, 2009), European Design Awards (2010, 2016, 2019, and 2020), 50 Books/50 Covers by AIGA (New York, 2010 and 2011), Type Directors Club, Communication Design (New York, 2013), and D&AD Awards (London, 2020).

He is the founder and creative director of the FBA. studio in Coimbra, where he has developed extensive and diverse work as a designer and art director.