I’m a Portuguese illustrator, lettering artist, and visual communicator, and I help people like you tell compelling visual stories. My passion is creating high-impact visuals that are both beautiful and strategically clear.
My work focuses on stylized female characters and expressive letterforms, typically for Editorial Identity, Book Covers, Character Licensing, and Visual Communication Campaigns.
I serve an international clientele and am best suited for projects where communication is conducted in English or Portuguese.
Hello! I’m Rosário Durão,
My Mission:
Why I Center Women.
My art is driven by a deep conviction: women are complex, powerful, and historically underrepresented.
I illustrate and letter women because I believe the world needs a visual vocabulary that champions female strength without sacrificing vulnerability. Rooted in a commitment to equality and a desire to challenge historical erasure, my work intentionally places the female subject where she belongs: center stage.
The ultimate goal is to offer both a mirror and a mantra. When you encounter my art, I want you to walk away with a defiant sense of self-possession: "I am who I am, it's nobody's business but mine," and the belief that you are capable of changing yourself and the world.
The Strategic Foundation:
Process and Execution.
My core style is a method of delivering my mission. Every line is crafted to reinforce the message of visibility and complexity:
The Unblinking Gaze: Characters often feature large, expressive eyes and a direct, unashamed look. This powerful gaze forces engagement and places the woman in a position of agency, proclaiming: "I am here, I am real, and I see you."
Solo Center Stage: My compositions often feature women alone in clean surroundings. This deliberate focus removes distraction, ensuring the subject's emotional landscape and story remain the definitive anchor of the visual.
Visual-Verbal Synergy: I integrate expressive lettering and copy that speak to strength, rebellion, and self-determination, reinforcing the complexity of the women depicted.
The Art of Visibility:
My Unique Approach.
My background in academia and professional communication is the strategic foundation for my art. Every visual project I take on is defined by a commitment to strategic clarity and meticulous execution:
Strategic Clarity & Problem-Solving: I focus on reducing complex ideas into clear, strong visuals, ensuring the final look is intentional, distinct, and immediately communicative.
Meticulous Execution & Precision: My process ensures reliable timelines, smooth collaboration, and meticulous detail in every final product.
Background & Credentials.
Digital and Graphic Design Certificate from Parsons School of Design.
Completed The Lettering Seminar with Martina Flor.
PhD in Translation Studies from Universidade Aberta, Lisbon, Portugal.
Prior Roles: Before focusing on illustration, I was an Associate Professor teaching visual and technical communication at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (NMT).
Business Experience: I founded and edited two professional communication journals and taught workshops on information design, executive communication, and design thinking. This experience gives me a deep understanding of business goals and client needs.
Client Success Stories.
I bring strategic clarity to organizations and projects around the world.
New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (New Mexico Tech)
Services: Strategic Design Consulting and Information Design (social media strategy, Student Research Symposium design, Center for Graduate Studies materials).
University of Lisbon Centre for Comparative Studies
Services: Consulted on the design and strategy of the research center's official newsletter.
Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce
Services: Delivered an Executive Communication business workshop.