Introducing the second guest of our One ethos, One culture chronicle, Luísa, a graphic designer that works at our office in Porto and, according to her "here, everyone is teaching and learning while contributing to the direction that Metyis moves."

Meet Luísa, our graphic designer in Porto

I discovered my passion for graphic design when I was in high school. Books have always fascinated me and it was through one of them that this realisation came to me. I remember spending hours as a kid just flipping through them, admiring their features and soaking up their knowledge. I knew many brands by heart, even without knowing how to read. I became obsessed with semiotics. At 16, I read "A Publicidade Segundo o Meu Tio Olavo" by Edson Athayde and it got me excited about the creative thinking process. My heart beat faster.

At the time, I was studying science, which was a setback. I couldn't apply for a design degree, so I decided to study journalism and specialise in multimedia. Although I gained a lot of invaluable skills like public speaking and video editing, I was not fulfilled. One of my most formative memories was when I learned that I was accepted to study Communication Design at the Faculty Fine Arts of the University of Porto. The degree gave me the tools that I needed to become the person I wanted to be. During my studies, I took on an internship at Colönia Studio, developed the brand identity for the international conference xCoAx, start designing academic books for the university and created my feminist blog — Graphic Fearless Women — where I showcase design projects by female graphic designers.

A few months later I was invited to work at Lugar do Desenho — Fundação Júlio Resende, where I was part of the rebranding of the institution. Over three years I developed many graphic and editorial design projects, which led me to start my Master's degree in this field. However, I began to feel the need to step out of my comfort zone. There was an urgent need to feel challenged and redirect my trajectory with new milestones. In October 2020, I was invited to join Metyis, and I was welcomed into a new world of endless possibilities.

Our world is digital and data-driven. It requires designers to innovate and create bold strategies. We should be a valuable asset to the market and society by solving problems and creating solutions that have long-term impact. At Metyis, we are a multidisciplinary team with ambitious professionals spread across several continents and representing a wide range of cultures, educational backgrounds and skills — diversity is our strength and we are proud of it. I love my team. We share our knowledge openly with each other and overcome challenges together. At Metyis, we encourage each other and passionately devote ourselves to each project. No one is left behind as we believe that collaboration is the key to delivering exceptional work. We are always excited when someone new joins us, and we immediately set up greeting calls to get to know each other and begin to form a long-lasting bond. Here, everyone is teaching and learning while contributing to the direction that Metyis moves.

If you're a woman, there's something especially awesome waiting for you — you'll immediately become part of Women@Metyis, an insider association dedicated to empowering women. Right now, a mentorship program is underway with the goal of building a culture of mentorship and a female support network that will nurture our professional growth. My experience so far has been wonderful; my mentor is a senior consultant and her guidance has shaped my ideal career trajectory. Everything that we discuss with our mentors is confidential so we can all share our thoughts in a safe space.

Creating a work environment that satisfies employees is a difficult task that Metyis has mastered, going above and beyond the expectations of the modern career landscape. Metyis offers stable conditions and gives its staff the freedom to work remotely. At first, I was sceptical about the advantages of remote work because I was accustomed to a traditional routine. My opinion changed when I was able to work from the Douro for three months. It was amazing to do my job in a place with such beauty!

Every day I face new challenges and grow as a designer. I am constantly learning in a vibrant environment that gives me the right tools to improve. My skillset and methods are aligned with the digital age and its demands — I feel like I can accomplish anything. Is this what you are seeking? Take a chance at Metyis!