Alumni in Industry
Alumni
The Living Design Alumni Network maintains an active connection between former students, the Academy and the broader professional landscape. It supports ongoing collaboration, knowledge exchange and the sharing of opportunities across design practice, research and industry.
A key role is played by DESIGNIS, the Design student group at ISMAT, which actively promotes the program and fosters a strong sense of community. Through initiatives with secondary schools across the Algarve, DESIGNIS engages younger generations with the role of design and designers, while also organising events that bring together students, alumni and professionals.
Together, the Alumni Network extends the impact of Living Design beyond the Academy, strengthening connections between education, society and professional practice.
Industry
The Living Design Academy maintains strong connections with leading national and international design agencies, creating opportunities for students to engage directly with the professional world and showcase their talent in real contexts.
This close relationship with industry also enables a continuous programme of talks, seminars and workshops with top designers and practitioners, ensuring that learning remains aligned with the state of the art in global design practice.
A key initiative is the Design Studio Challenge, an intensive one-week project developed in collaboration with invited agencies, where students respond to real briefs and present their work to the agency and its final client.
Through these connections, students experience design as a living practice , bridging education, industry and real-world impact.
Our Industry partners
What they’re saying
Marko Rosaline
Founder – Death in Beirut
“ISMAT creates a space where students are encouraged to experiment, take risks and develop a strong creative voice. It’s a place where design is treated as a living and evolving practice.”
Pedro Pires
Founder – Poets
“The connection between ISMAT and industry is real and active. Students engage with contemporary challenges and develop work that is relevant, thoughtful and ready for the professional world.”
Knud Erik-Hamann
Senior Adviser – Danish Technological Institute (DTI)
“ISMAT stands out for its ability to connect design, technology and innovation. It offers a forward-thinking environment that prepares students to work across disciplines and respond to complex global challenges.”