My name is Vítor Cardoso and I am a Freelance Designer currently based in Amsterdam. Previously, I worked as a Senior Designer at Numbered Studio, focusing on e-commerce websites and interactive experiences for many industries such as Technology, Fashion, Luxury Goods, Venture Capital and Beauty (both in Europe and the USA).
Project Highlights
Neoplants
Neoplants created a bioengineered plant that captures and recycles the 4 most dangerous Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) emitted by solvents and varnishes used in most furnishings, textiles, cleaning, and personal hygiene products.
In this project, I was the lead designer setting the visual direction, executing all the vectorial illustrations and designing the website. The resulting digital strategy showcases NEO P1 as the beautiful bio-engineered product it is. Everything from the custom graphics to the CGI explains the science behind the plant, complements the brand’s aesthetic and enhances the overall user experience.
↑ This project was nominated for Site of the Month on Awwwards. Other recognition includes Site of the Day and Developer Award by Awwwards, Site of the Day on Typewolf, and a feature on Site Inspire. Credits belong to Numbered for digital art direction, CGI, web design and development.
Enginzyme
Enginzyme’s technology utilizes enzymes (biological catalysts from living organisms) to speed up chemical reactions under milder, more sustainable conditions than traditional chemical catalysts.
As the lead designer, I translated Enginzyme’s newly established brand identity, developed by my colleagues at Numbered, into a clean corporate website that articulates the mission in an accessible way for all audiences (engineers, scientists, journalists, etc). This was done mainly with a concise solutions page highlighting practical applications for companies, and a technology page featuring a bespoke, interactive particle system with progressive disclosure of information explaining why Enginzyme is a better and more sustainable alternative.
↑ This project was featured on Site Inspire. Credits belong to Numbered for digital art direction, brand identity, CGI, web design and development.
Ogér
Ogér is a luxury fashion brand that became the cornerstone of high-end Italian menswear in The Netherlands. The brand was founded in 1989 in Amsterdam.
The challenge for redesigning the Ogér website was to bring the same attention to detail and warmth that customers experience in-store. After the Creative Director defined the style for the new Ogér website, I developed the full e-commerce by rolling out a warm colour palette inspired by the existing branding, timeless fonts mirroring the elegant details in-store and adding interactive elements on editorial pages to create a pleasant experience.
↑ Credits belong to Numbered for digital art direction and e-commerce design. Development by Flatline.
Aware
Aware provides digital certifications for brands, telling the unique story of each garment from the farm to the store using blockchain technology. An initiative that goes beyond traditional frontiers to guarantee the authenticity, traceability and quality of fashion products.
The original website had multiple pages and few assets, making it hard to understand Aware’s key benefits and how it works. As the lead designer, I created a simple, one-page marketing website with a strong hierarchy and custom illustrations that effectively communicate the value proposition. By consolidating scattered information into a concise, user-friendly layout, the new website made it easier for potential customers to understand the product and book a demo.
↑ Aware was featured on Site Inspire and Maxibestof (Crème de la crème). Credits belong to Numbered for digital art direction, web design and development.
RAAD
RAAD is a climate mapping network that provides accurate, real-time data on extreme weather for government agencies, insurance companies, local businesses, general citizens and more.
As the lead designer, I created a one-page layout that brings the dynamic identity and iconography developed by my colleagues at Numbered to life. This design delivered a tangible representation of the company’s mission and vision, clearly illustrating how the technology serves different target audiences and highlighting the substantial financial impact of preventing natural disasters.
↑ This project won Site of the Day on Awwwards. Credits belong to Numbered for digital art direction, brand identity, web design and development.
Avenir
Avenir Growth is a venture capital firm investing in future-forward companies (the portfolio includes Savage X Fenti, Klaviyo, Drizzly, and DuckDuckGo).
The main challenge in redesigning Avenir Growth’s website was the lack of visual assets. Because Avenir means “future”, I created a unique art direction using clean, vectorial illustrations, that could be used in other materials. This provided a consistent look for all communications, including the website, where we added subtle micro-animations that made the overall experience more engaging and “techie”.
↑ This project was featured on Site Inspire. Credits belong to Numbered for digital art direction, web design and development.
Background
My professional journey started when I graduated with a BFA in Communication Design from the Faculty of Fine Arts (University of Lisbon). I started as a junior designer at COMON in Portugal, then relocated to Ireland where I worked at WONDR and DEPT. In 2021, I moved to the Netherlands and worked as a Senior Designer for Numbered Studio until March 2025. As a designer, I’ve always been focused on creating the best graphic design without allegiance to a style, medium, method, or industry, which has only been made possible by collaborating with like-minded people who have inspired me along the way.
Inspiration
Consuming and producing art has always been a source of inspiration because it helps me find unexpected connections and opens my mind to a world of possibilities. As a child, my older sister would hand-draw action figures for me to paint (my favourite was Batman). In high school, I carried a graphic diary everywhere to capture ordinary life moments and experiment with different materials and techniques. One of my breakthroughs happened when I started adding shadows to my drawings by copying the works of Robert Longo, allowing me to create hyper-realistic drawings that are still hung in my living room today. Later at the Fine Arts College in Lisbon, I took still-life and naked drawing classes for four years.
↑ All the images above are drawings created between 2010 and 2015.
Throughout this journey I learned that creativity is not a talent you are born with, it’s a skill you acquire over time. As designers, we’re always looking to create something new, but the very act of creation is built on what came before, a constant evolution and reinterpretation of our world, “a copy, of a copy, of a copy”. In my view, creativity has nothing to do with being original or talented. Unlike design, art doesn’t need to be meaningful or useful, it’s simply self-expression. That is why I find it inspiring.
Design Philosophy
The internet today is overloaded with information. There are too many websites. Too many screens. Too many businesses. Too many content creators. Too much AI-generated content. References are the same. Brands look the same. It’s fast-paced. We see too much. We remember too little. Details are missing. Messages get lost. Brands struggle to stand out, and audiences don’t care.
For most companies, strategy and craftsmanship are separate entities, and craftsmanship is either not a priority or completely overlooked. When a company doesn’t have a unique identity, it becomes lost in the competitive landscape. Without a clear vision, it falls under the temptation to overwhelm consumers with choices (who are already struggling to discern value). Put it this way, striking visuals without a compelling narrative lead to aimless execution, and a brilliant strategy that is poorly executed will fail to convert.
That is why companies need to nurture the entrepreneurial spirit that made them successful in the first place by investing in striking visuals and defining a clear purpose. The most successful companies understand the importance of this and will continue to invest in it as they grow. That is how we cut through the noise in a world constantly competing for attention and build brands that resonate with consumers.
Final Thoughts
While many fear Artificial Intelligence will eliminate creative jobs, the real threat is long-term stagnation. Lack of growth left professionals vulnerable to changes in creativity or technology jobs before AI became mainstream.
AI allows us to explore many ideas at unprecedented speed. It is great for iteration, but it has no taste. The ability to discern, refine, and elevate our work is the differentiation factor. As content floods, we must focus on the nuanced details that make our craft truly exceptional and continue to support each other on what we’re really good at: content curation, not content creation.
What’s Next?
March 2025 marked the end of a long-term collaboration as Senior Designer at Numbered. I joined early as employee number five and saw the studio grow, met inspiring founders from different industries and worked with smart people who helped me achieve the biggest highlight of my career – Site of the Month Nomination on Awwwards. I am truly grateful for this experience.
Now, it’s time for something new. First, I’m building my freelance design practice to help founders grow their businesses. Second, I will dedicate some time to developing personal ventures. Starting with a job board for remote workers with a deep sense of community. Followed by an ethically sourced tinned seafood company to change the perception of canned fish.
If you’re interested in following my journey or discussing a potential collaboration, do not hesitate to reach out by Email or Linkedin.