Winds of Change:
Co-Designing Visual Identities for Wind Turbines in Arganil
Workshop
The Winds of Change Lab was a creative workshop organized as part of a partnership between TUMO and Galp, held in the context of a design competition. The workshop focused on creating visual identities to be applied on two wind turbines in Arganil, combining renewable energy with the region’s cultural and natural roots. The process began with brainstorming sessions, where participants researched and shared ideas about Arganil’s nature, traditions, and culture, creating mood boards and symbolic representations through quick exercises. Over five sessions, they developed concepts, produced sketches, and defined color palettes, learning to work with real-scale proportions in Illustrator and creating vector compositions suitable for long-distance visibility. The workshop concluded with a final presentation that integrated concepts, visual inspirations, and graphic proposals, strengthening the connection between sustainability, public art, and regional identity.
Tower of Post-its
In one of the brainstorming activities, students were invited to imagine a wind turbine through a “tower of Post-its.” The exercise was divided into quick rounds: 5 minutes to draw symbols of local nature (such as leaves, flowers, mountains, animals), 5 minutes to represent cultural elements of Arganil (traditions, monuments, patterns, objects), and 5 minutes to add energy-related symbols (movement, wind, turbine blades, spirals). Each participant placed their Post-its on a column representing the turbine, gradually building a collective and colorful structure. This process created a network of crossed connections, where nature, culture, and energy overlapped, helping participants explore how these dimensions could merge into a unified visual identity.
Sketches & Vector Drawing
Arganil num Cesto
The project envisions a giant basket in the heart of a forest, accompanied by a wooden spoon and framed by surrounding mountains, with the historic village of Piódão in view. Inside the basket lie emblematic elements of Arganil - tigelada, bucho, sequilho, and a traditional festival pole - encircled by leaves that evoke energy and movement. Native animals approach the basket, discovering the region’s culture, while the Alva River flows gently in the background.
Arga & Nil
The project’s main idea is a visual representation of the Legend of Arganil, blending local history with natural elements and inspired by medieval illuminations. The design unfolds in three main scenes that narrate the love story of Arga and Nil, symbolized through the river, mountains, and birds. Their union embodies timeless love, while decorative frames incorporate icons of renewable energy, reflecting Galp’s objectives and enhancing the visual appeal.
