I’m Miguel Calvete, a freelance graphic and communication designer with over two
decades of experience. My work spans branding, print, and digital design, with a strong
emphasis on the cultural and social sectors.
I partner with creative teams, artists, and organizations to craft visual identities,
print materials, and digital interfaces that communicate ideas with clarity and impact.
Rooted in a multidisciplinary approach, I bring a keen eye for detail and a collaborative
spirit to every project, ensuring designs that resonate and connect.
decades of experience. My work spans branding, print, and digital design, with a strong
emphasis on the cultural and social sectors.
I partner with creative teams, artists, and organizations to craft visual identities,
print materials, and digital interfaces that communicate ideas with clarity and impact.
Rooted in a multidisciplinary approach, I bring a keen eye for detail and a collaborative
spirit to every project, ensuring designs that resonate and connect.
ABOUT
Based in Leipzig, Germany.
The world is my studio—let’s create something bold, meaningful, and relevant. Whether it’s branding, print, or digital, I’m open to projects, collaborations, and fresh ideas, especially those with a social or cultural edge. For more about my process, background, and legal details, visit the dedicated page.
The world is my studio—let’s create something bold, meaningful, and relevant. Whether it’s branding, print, or digital, I’m open to projects, collaborations, and fresh ideas, especially those with a social or cultural edge. For more about my process, background, and legal details, visit the dedicated page.
CONTACT
Kunst Etc. is the name of the central for my creative ouptut in different disciplines in which I'm active. These include Graphic Design, Streetart, Muralism, Illustration, deejaying and also Workshops wit Social Groups.
"Note: This link opens in a new tab and leads to my Creative Hub."
KUNST ETC.
CV
2017 – Present / Freelance Graphic & Web Designer
Miguel Calvete – Kunst Etc. / Leipzig / Germany
Specialized in branding, print, and digital media for the cultural and social sectors.
Community-focused Street Art Workshops.
2013 – 2014 / Graphic Designer & Illustrator
MC-DGA | Miguel Calvete Design & Graphic Arts / Amsterdam / The Netherlands
Focus on album covers, event promotions, and tailored illustrations for diverse cultural and music initiatives. Collaborations include album covers, logos, and communication systems for Tomorrow Is Now, Kid!, and Adam And Liza Music.
May 2010 – Nov 2010 / Internship: Graphic Designer & Illustrator
Trillke e.V. / Hildesheim / Germany
Developed illustrations, logos, and large-scale murals for community cultural projects, backed by a Portuguese Ministry of Culture scholarship.
Dec 2005 – May 2006 / Graphic Designer
Galeria Violeta / Caldas da Rainha / Portugal
Visual communication systems, logos, and promotional designs for art exhibitions and public events.
Apr 1999 – Apr 2000 / Junior Graphic Designer
Letracor – Publicidade e Artes Gráficas, Lda / Marinha Grande / Portugal
Foundational training in commercial illustration, layout design, and technical spatial visualization.
Miguel Calvete – Kunst Etc. / Leipzig / Germany
Specialized in branding, print, and digital media for the cultural and social sectors.
Community-focused Street Art Workshops.
2013 – 2014 / Graphic Designer & Illustrator
MC-DGA | Miguel Calvete Design & Graphic Arts / Amsterdam / The Netherlands
Focus on album covers, event promotions, and tailored illustrations for diverse cultural and music initiatives. Collaborations include album covers, logos, and communication systems for Tomorrow Is Now, Kid!, and Adam And Liza Music.
May 2010 – Nov 2010 / Internship: Graphic Designer & Illustrator
Trillke e.V. / Hildesheim / Germany
Developed illustrations, logos, and large-scale murals for community cultural projects, backed by a Portuguese Ministry of Culture scholarship.
Dec 2005 – May 2006 / Graphic Designer
Galeria Violeta / Caldas da Rainha / Portugal
Visual communication systems, logos, and promotional designs for art exhibitions and public events.
Apr 1999 – Apr 2000 / Junior Graphic Designer
Letracor – Publicidade e Artes Gráficas, Lda / Marinha Grande / Portugal
Foundational training in commercial illustration, layout design, and technical spatial visualization.
2016 / Multimedia Designer Certification
ComCave College / Hannover / Germany
Advanced technical training in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign, alongside core frontend systems including HTML/CSS and JavaScript.
2006 / Graduate Diploma in Graphic Design
ESAD Caldas da Rainha / Polytechnic Institute of Leiria / Portugal
Advanced typographic systems, print production layout, and conceptual communication methodologies.
2003 / Bachelor of Arts in Graphic and Multimedia Design
ESAD Caldas da Rainha / Polytechnic Institute of Leiria / Portugal
Foundational studies in visual communication, interactive media structures, and graphic design execution.
ComCave College / Hannover / Germany
Advanced technical training in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign, alongside core frontend systems including HTML/CSS and JavaScript.
2006 / Graduate Diploma in Graphic Design
ESAD Caldas da Rainha / Polytechnic Institute of Leiria / Portugal
Advanced typographic systems, print production layout, and conceptual communication methodologies.
2003 / Bachelor of Arts in Graphic and Multimedia Design
ESAD Caldas da Rainha / Polytechnic Institute of Leiria / Portugal
Foundational studies in visual communication, interactive media structures, and graphic design execution.
Core Capabilities
Design / Branding · Typography · Illustration · Print & Digital System Design
Web Development / HTML · CSS · WordPress Architecture · Elementor & Gutenberg
Creative Leadership / Pedagogical Street Art Workshops · Community Engagement
Studio Toolset
Expertise / Adobe Illustrator · Adobe Photoshop · Adobe InDesign
Working Knowledge / Affinity Designer · Affinity Photo · Adobe XD
Languages
Native / Portuguese · English
Fluent / German · Spanish
Basic / Dutch
Design / Branding · Typography · Illustration · Print & Digital System Design
Web Development / HTML · CSS · WordPress Architecture · Elementor & Gutenberg
Creative Leadership / Pedagogical Street Art Workshops · Community Engagement
Studio Toolset
Expertise / Adobe Illustrator · Adobe Photoshop · Adobe InDesign
Working Knowledge / Affinity Designer · Affinity Photo · Adobe XD
Languages
Native / Portuguese · English
Fluent / German · Spanish
Basic / Dutch
I work in a minimalist, collaborative, and process-driven way. I listen to the flow of a project—how concepts, colors, and typography interact. I prefer predefined color palettes and clean, concise solutions, always thinking outside the box. I enjoy exchanging ideas with clients, refining details until everything aligns and the design solves the problem at hand.
I’m Miguel Calvete, a freelance graphic and communication designer with over 20 years of experience. Originally from Portugal, I studied at ESAD Caldas da Rainha (Instituto Politécnico de Leiria), where I earned a Bachelor’s in Graphic and Multimedia Design and a Diploma in Graphic Design. Later, I completed an internship in Hildesheim with Trillke e.V., supported by a scholarship from the Portuguese Ministry of Culture. I’ve been based in Germany since 2014, working across Europe with artists, music labels, and cultural institutions.
For the past five years, I’ve taken a step back from full-time work to focus on raising my two kids and supporting my partner through their PhD. Being present for my family has been a priority, though my approach to life and work remains anything but conventional.
For the past five years, I’ve taken a step back from full-time work to focus on raising my two kids and supporting my partner through their PhD. Being present for my family has been a priority, though my approach to life and work remains anything but conventional.
My work centers on branding, print, and digital design, with a strong focus on the cultural and social sectors. I’ve designed visual identities, album covers, posters, and marketing materials—often for music labels and creative collectives. While I’ve gained experience in agencies and collaborations, most of my career has been as a freelancer, allowing me to work closely with clients and explore diverse projects.
ABOUT
Design, for me, is about connection, clarity, and solutions. I aim to create work that not only looks good but also addresses real needs—whether it’s elevating a brand, supporting an artistic vision, or amplifying a social message. It’s about how design can bridge ideas and people, turning challenges into clear, effective, and meaningful outcomes.