In 1915, visionary poet Fernando Pessoa and his contemporaries launched Orpheu, a literary magazine that helped introduce Modernism to arts and literature . Provocative and forward-looking, this avant-garde publication set out “with the principal aim of agitating, subverting and scandalizing” the cultural establishment . Even its name—drawn from the myth of Orpheus—symbolized a refusal to look back, embracing an ethos of shedding the past to focus on the future . Though Orpheu survived for only two issues, it “immediately provoked a literary scandal” that sparked months of public debate, its bold ideas startling a society “marked by the past” . This short-lived artistic revolution ignited a creative fire, one that would resonate far beyond its time.

Now, over a century later, ORPHEU (the creative and design studio) rekindles that rebellious spirit. It captures the essence of the original Orpheu movement’s radical innovation and reimagines it for the present and future. By channeling the same drive to break conventions and push boundaries, ORPHEU positions itself as a modern inheritor of that legacy – a 21st-century vanguard using new tools and ideas to spark the next cultural renaissance.

Fusion of art, technology & imagination

ORPHEU’s vision is best described as a “hyper-futurism movement” combining Art, Technology & Imagination to design iconic work and foster authentic dialogue. In practice, this means the studio merges creative artistry with cutting-edge technology to craft experiences that capture the imagination and connect with culture.
Each project is approached as an opportunity to blend visual innovation with meaningful storytelling, resulting in work that feels both futuristic and deeply human. With an energy and inventive style akin to the world’s leading creative agencies, ORPHEU strives to create iconic digital and physical experiences that leave a lasting impact.

More than a studio:
A movement & collective

From its foundation, ORPHEU has seen itself as more than a traditional agency. In the spirit of its namesake, it is a cultural movement, a creative platform where art, ideas, and dialogue converge. ORPHEU is the house of Orpheu Magazine and a collective of artists and thinkers , serving as a modern-day salon for collaboration and intellectual exchange. This means that beyond delivering client work, the studio fosters an environment where original thought and experimentation thrive.

Every initiative at ORPHEU is undertaken with the belief that design and art can inspire real conversation and change. Just as the original Orpheu magazine galvanized discussion in its era, the studio’s projects aim to spark authentic dialogue in today’s world – whether it’s through a groundbreaking visual identity for a brand or an immersive digital experience that gets people talking. In short, ORPHEU stands at the intersection of art and innovation, carrying forward a storied legacy of creativity while leaping boldly into the future.

With a visionary approach and uncompromising imagination, ORPHEU embodies a new hyper-futurist movement for our times – one that honors the radical heart of the Orpheu generation and propels it into tomorrow’s creative frontier.

The founders
Pedro Vilas-Boas & João Mestre