Daniel da Hora

Specialized in Advertising Design.

Daniel da Hora

About Daniel da Hora

Awarded, speaker and member of the jury at several global creativity festivals, such as Cannes Lions, CLIO Awards, New York Festivals, Ad Stars, One Club for Creativity, London International Awards, Creativepool, A'Design Awards, Cristal Festival, El Ojo de Iberoamerica, among many others. Associate Art Director / Creative Digital Director at Creatto Comunicação (1997 - 2005). Founder and Chief Creative Officer at DH,LO Creative Boutique (2010 - 2020). Professor / researcher at Federal University PB / Brazil 2021 - present days). Member of The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (iADAS); member of The Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts (AIVA); member of Art Director's Club (NY/USA). Mentor and member of the jury for The One Club for Creativity Portfolio Review Educational Program, and The Next Creative Leaders Program. He is also a visual artist, having participated in collective and individual exhibitions in Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, England, France, and United States. Selected by the international curatorship to take part at the “Salón des Indépendants” in Paris, in celebrations for the 140th anniversary of the event, hosted at the Grand Palais Ephemére, in February 2024. Was the curator of big exhibitions in Brazil, such as He won the “highlight award” from the Francachela collective, for his exhibition at the Queens Library Gallery in New York (USA - 2004), a “revelation award at Galeria Alicia Brandy in Buenos Aires (ARG - 2005), and a highlights at Buzzell Studios Gallery in Sta. Monica (CA / USA - 2017). He has works in private collections in Brazil and abroad. He was coordinator of the assembly group for the Porto Mídia Digital Arts gallery, at Porto Digital, in Recife / PE. He was the curator of the shorts exhibition at the Porto Mídia Visual Arts gallery, presenting exhibitions with multiple disciplines, such as design, photography, animation, visual and musical installations. He was the curator of the exhibition “Recife, The Playable City”, in partnership with Porto Digital and the British Council, and the exhibition “Recife Sem Filtro”, an exhibition of digital photos about the landscape of that city.

  • Winner of 3 A' Design Awards.
  • Specialized in Advertising Design.
  • Original Design.
  • Creative, Diligent and Innovative.
  • All Designs
  • Advertising
  • Graphic
Love Art Campaign

Love Art Campaign

Advertising Design

Cats in a Box Communication Design

Cats in a Box Communication Design

Advertising Design

Winghook Branding System Corporate Identity

Winghook Branding System Corporate Identity

Graphic Design

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Interview with Daniel da Hora

Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
I’ve came from an artists’ family, so the visual background was always part of my experiences. Finding the Graphic Design university was quite a natural move for me.
Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
I have more than 25 years of experience in the industry. I was a founder and an active creative (Design and Art Director) for two companies - one from 1997 to 2005 and other from 2010 to 2021. Nowadays I’m an independent designer, working on projects that I can carefully select and that make sense for me, as a creative and if they have something new and good to deliver, and also a Professor / Resaercher at the Visual Arts and creativity fields for a federal. university in Brazil.
What is "design" for you?
Design is the alchemy of transforming the mundane into the magnificent, a symphony of form and function where aesthetics and utility embrace in a harmonious dance. It is the thoughtful response to a need, a silent dialogue between creator and user, where each curve, line, and texture is a whisper of consideration. Design is a deliberate act of empathy, an understanding that materials are not mere substances, but the very skin of our ideas, bearing the weight of environmental and social impacts. In its essence, design is the art of crafting experiences, a philosophical quest to balance the tangible with the intangible, sculpting the world not just as it is, but as it could be - a reflection of our highest aspirations, desires, and dreams.
What kinds of works do you like designing most?
I love printing and posters, but also brand identities as well as editorial design. In the odder hand, I’ve always been really close to digital technologies, and that made me feel really comfortable to play with digital and mobile design projects.
What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
In a broad sense, I’m fascinated but furniture and decorative objects: as we’re connected to them in our day-by-day, we should chose the right and best ones. As a graphic designer self, one of my best works I consider was a Communications Design for a Brazilian NGO, called Adote Um Gatinho: a conjunction of illustration, branding, advertising, products, and social media.
What was the first thing you designed for a company?
In the beginning of my career I used to design the signs and all the visual communications for the public transportation system of my hometown, Recife, Brazil.
What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
As a designer, the tools provided by Apple and Adobe are a must have, for sure. But also, the handmade work, with paper, glue, scissors and pen and pencils is something I don’t let go of my process.
When do you feel the most creative?
When I’m outdoors and traveling. In fact, traveling, for me, is a moment of pure and deep inspiration.
Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
I’m really obsessed with typography, color and paper possibilities.
What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
I fell free and relaxed. Designing is a process where you feel like having the opportunity to engane with an audience that is, most of time, seeking for a creative approach on something, and you have the knowledge, the technique and the tools to make it happen.
What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
I feel powerfull and useful. Because I was very close to my grandparent - one of the most important Brazilian artists ever, seeking for anew, creative and innovative solution, where the visual was the king, shaped my vision about working with design.
What makes a design successful?
The very possibility of being the solution for a problem, specially if it considers both company / brand and users. Also, we have to think about the market and all the possibilities the brand or the product has to deal with. Considering all of those aspects can make a design successful.
Who are some of your clients?
Because I have a 25+ year career, I’ve already worked for Apple, Carrier, Castrol, Dahlstedt Group, Honda, GM, Moka King, Watershed, and a lot of regional and local brands in Brazil.
Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
Nowadays, I work by myself or as a double, with my associate and wife, also a designer.
Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
I’m experimenting old fashioned printing / engraving with wood, linocut, etc and its’ possibilities.
How can people contact you?
I am a hard user of social network, specially instagram (@danieldahora); but I can work very well by e-mail too: danieldahora@me.com
Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
Working with design takes a lifelong commitment, and a sense of responsibility on what’s about changing the world. It’s a search for the new, fulfilled with dreams and beauty.

Designer of the Day Interview with Daniel da Hora

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
I have more than 25 years of experience in the industry. I was a founder and an active creative (Design and Art Director) for two companies - one from 1997 to 2005 and other from 2010 to 2021. Nowadays I’m an independent designer, working on projects that I can carefully select and that make sense for me, as a creative and if they have something new and good to deliver, and also a Professor / Resaercher at the Visual Arts and creativity fields for a federal. university in Brazil.
How did you become a designer?
I’ve came from an artists’ family, so the visual background was always part of my experiences. Finding the Graphic Design university was quite a natural move for me.
What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
I love printing and posters, but also brand identities as well as editorial design. In the odder hand, I’ve always been really close to digital technologies, and that made me feel really comfortable to play with digital and mobile design projects.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
I fell free and relaxed. Designing is a process where you feel like having the opportunity to engane with an audience that is, most of time, seeking for a creative approach on something, and you have the knowledge, the technique and the tools to make it happen.
What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?
Because I was very close to my grandparent - one of the most important Brazilian artists ever, seeking for anew, creative and innovative solution, where the visual was the king, shaped my vision about working with design.
How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?
The very possibility of being the solution for a problem, specially if it considers both company / brand and users. Also, we have to think about the market and all the possibilities the brand or the product has to deal with. Considering all of those aspects can make a design successful.
What is your biggest design work?
During my career I’ve honored with som many prizes, but the most joyful works come from those which can have a real impact on sensitive themes. A very new and awarded project was for a Brazilian NGO for cats / kittens adoption. During pandemic and right after that, the number of abandoned animals on streets in Brazil increased dramatically. But, specially cats, that suffered with fake news about transmitting covid-19 to humans. Because Adote Um Gatinho is an ngo that works with abandoned cats and their way to a new home, we saw an opportunity to increase awareness and also address an important message.
Who is your favourite designer?
Dieter Rams for. Sure. His contribution to contemporary design and his influence in pop culture are beyond expectations for a designer career.
Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?
I love traveling and knowing new places / cultures. When I’m outdoors and traveling i feel so free and fulfilled of possibilities. In fact, traveling, for me, is a moment of pure and deep inspiration. I’m a passionate for technology and all pop / digital culture, but nowadays I’m experimenting old fashioned printing / engraving with wood, linocut, etc and its’ possibilities.
What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?
I was have a commitment on contributing with my expertise with NGOs and their design and communication necessities.
What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?
I’ve been attending A’ Design Awards for a long time. I have the honor of. Being both multi awarded and jury of this prestigious event. For me, the celebration of. design this event provides. Is unique, deep and gives the very best results or all our creative community.

Extended Interview with Daniel da Hora

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
I’ve came from an artists’ family, so the visual background was always part of my experiences. Finding the Graphic Design university was quite a natural move for me.
How did you become a designer?
I have more than 25 years of experience in the industry. I was a founder and an active creative (Design and Art Director) for two companies - one from 1997 to 2005 and other from 2010 to 2021. Nowadays I’m an independent designer, working on projects that I can carefully select and that make sense for me, as a creative and if they have something new and good to deliver, and also a Professor / Resaercher at the Visual Arts and creativity fields for a federal. university in Brazil.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
I love printing and posters, but also brand identities as well as editorial design. In the odder hand, I’ve always been really close to digital technologies, and that made me feel really comfortable to play with digital and mobile design projects.
What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?
Always be passionate about researching, evaluating and seeking for new. Also, a profound knowledge about arts, creativity, aesthetics a help solve problems in a faster, better way.
What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
The very possibility of being the solution for a problem, specially if it considers both company / brand and users. Also, we have to think about the market and all the possibilities the brand or the product has to deal with. Considering all of those aspects can make a design successful.
Who is your favourite designer?
During my career I’ve honored with som many prizes, but the most joyful works come from those which can have a real impact on sensitive themes. A very new and awarded project was for a Brazilian NGO for cats / kittens adoption. During pandemic and right after that, the number of abandoned animals on streets in Brazil increased dramatically. But, specially cats, that suffered with fake news about transmitting covid-19 to humans. Because Adote Um Gatinho is an ngo that works with abandoned cats and their way to a new home, we saw an opportunity to increase awareness and also address an important message.
What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?
Design is the alchemy of transforming the mundane into the magnificent, a symphony of form and function where aesthetics and utility embrace in a harmonious dance. It is the thoughtful response to a need, a silent dialogue between creator and user, where each curve, line, and texture is a whisper of consideration. Design is a deliberate act of empathy, an understanding that materials are not mere substances, but the very skin of our ideas, bearing the weight of environmental and social impacts. In its essence, design is the art of crafting experiences, a philosophical quest to balance the tangible with the intangible, sculpting the world not just as it is, but as it could be - a reflection of our highest aspirations, desires, and dreams.
What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?
During all my career I’ve had full support of my wife and partner.

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