The Research Institute for Design, Media and Culture [ID+] is a multidisciplinary research structure originally anchored in two institutions: University of Aveiro (Department of Communication and Art) [UA /DeCA] and University of Porto (School of Fine Arts) [FBAUP]; in 2017, the Polytechnic of Cávado and Ave (School of Design) [IPCA / ESD] has joined the consortium, as did the Polytechnic of Porto (School of Media Arts and Design) [IPP / ESMAD] in 2023. ID+ was created at 2007 and started its funded operation in January 2009, after external review (the visit of the international panel occurred in February 2008) assigned a rating of ‘Very Good’.
ID+ works towards the inscription and legitimisation of design and associated disciplines in the Arts and Sciences. It develops this mission primarily in the Northern region of Portugal and other peripheral environments, as well as national and international cooperation networks.
ID+ operates contextually by producing, transferring, reverting and communicating the scientific and professional knowledge of design, media and culture into environments where it may be of benefit.
ID+ focuses on both heritage and contemporaneity: contributing to a longevity of design legacies, and interpreting the rapid challenges of the discipline in today’s World. These contributions are strategic, taxonomical, technical, cognitive, structural and pedagogical.
ID+ is currently organised in five strategic groups:
CULTURES
DESIGN FOR HEALTH
INDUSTRIES
MEDIA
TERRITORIES
The regional scale of ID+ is ensured through its consortium structure: ID+ is currently hosted in a formal cooperation agreement between the Universities of Aveiro and Porto and the Polytechnics of Cávado and Ave, and Porto. The convergence of the respective institutional competences ensures a degree of hybridity and critical mass that furthers an expanded research territory.
The team currently comprises 251 members, of which 88 are integrated PhDs. Besides the aforementioned host Universities and Polytechnics, member provenance includes ten further national higher education and research institutions. Member status also includes experienced professional, doctoral students and collaborators.
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