The machine that tells stories

Stories are the essence of humanity. In an increasingly dynamic and interactive world, we cannot underestimate the transformative power of stories.
Retrofiction is an artistic manifesto that celebrates the power of stories and animation. By reimagining the past with a vision of the future, we transform ideas into lively narratives that move and inspire.
This is the purpose of this machine – to bring new stories to life.
Behind the machine

Hello !!!
My name is Marcello Ferreira, I am a Motion Designer, Multimedia Artist and Teacher.
After a comprehensive path, which ranged from drawing and photography to programming and music; I finished my studies in Visual Arts (2015) and Multimedia (2020).
Currently my work is divided between academic and artistic aspects. As a higher education professor, I teach various animation topics, from theory, history and pre-production; to artistic and professional practice. As a motion designer, I have worked in different areas (institutional content, communication and advertising, animated cinema, artistic collaborations) both for creative agencies, brands, institutions and for everyone with a story that needs to be told. I also created Retrofiction, an artistic manifesto where I share some artistic projects and some publications about the art of animation.
I believe that learning, practicing and teaching are the best ways to maintain enthusiasm and fascination for what we do, as well as sustain a productive, consistent, conscious and sustainable career. In this increasingly dynamic and interactive world, we cannot underestimate the transformative power of stories.
I would say that this is my purpose – to bring new stories to life!!
Well, that’s my story. What is yours? Feel free to get in touch!!
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
(2024) Motion Designer (freelancer)
Knokcare. Healthcare start-up. Porto, Portugal
(2024) Motion Designer (freelancer)
Famtone. Creative Agency. Lisbon, Portugal
(2023 – ) Assistant professor
Higher Professional Technical School, Polytechnic Institute of Cavado and Ave. Guimarães, Portugal
(2022 – ) Assistant professor
Higher School of Media Arts and Design, Polytechnic Institute of Porto. Porto, Portugal
(2022 – 2023) Multimedia Artist
Unloop Creative Agency. Creative Agency. Braga, Portugal
(2021) Motion Designer 3D (freelancer)
In Good Company. Consulting agency. Porto, Portugal
(2021) Illustrator (freelancer)
Porto i/o. Coworking space. Porto, Portugal
(2020 – 2021) Multimedia Designer
e-Learning and Pedagogical Innovation Unit. Higher School of Education, Polytechnic Institute of Porto. Porto, Portugal
ACADEMIC BACKGROUND
(2024 – ) PhD in Digital Art Media (studying)
Faculty of Human and Social Sciences of the University of Algarve. Faro, Portugal
(2022) Certificate of Pedagogical Skills (CCP)
Pedagogical Training of Trainers, PsiPorto Institute. Maia, Portugal
(2021) Specialization in Character Development
Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Porto. Porto, Portugal
(2021) Specialization in Illustration
Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Porto. Porto, Portugal
(2020) Specialization in Real-Time Performative Animation. Extracurricular unit of the Master in Systems and Interactive Media
School of Media Arts and Design, Polytechnic Institute of Porto (ESMAD/IPP). Vila do Conde, Portugal
(2016 – 2020) Degree in Multimedia
School of Media Arts and Design, Polytechnic Institute of Porto (ESMAD/IPP). Vila do Conde, Portugal
(2016) Introduction to Photography
Academia Olhares. Porto, Portugal
(2012 – 2015) Secondary Education in Visual Arts
Albufeira Secondary School. Faro, Portugal
ARTISTIC PROJECTS, COLLABORATIONS AND PARTICIPATIONS
(2024) ESMAD/IPP: Masterclass- Journey in the animation industry
School of Media Arts and Design, Polytechnic Institute of Porto (ESMAD/IPP). Vila do Conde, Portugal
(2024) ESMAD/IPP: Workshop – Emerging Technologies and Motion Capture for Games and Animation
School of Media Arts and Design, Polytechnic Institute of Porto (ESMAD/IPP). Vila do Conde, Portugal
(2024) FICIV Animap: The Final Quest for the Heart
Animated short film selected for Festival Internacional de Cine Infantil de Valencia. Valencia, Spain
(2024) SSA Mapping: Odisseia da Criação
Animated short film selected for SSA Mapping Festival. Salvador, Brazil
(2024) Tiny Man: Tic Tac Blue
Animated short film selected for Tiny Man Festival. Porto, Portugal
(2024) ETESP/IPCA: Member of the organization – Enter the Void 2nd edition, Festival of Creativity and Pedagogical Innovation
Professional Technical School, Polytechnic Institute of Cavado and Ave (ETESP/IPCA). Guimarães, Portugal
(2024) ESMAD/IPP: CTeSPs internship evaluation Jury
School of Media Arts and Design, Polytechnic Institute of Porto (ESMAD/IPP). Vila do Conde, Portugal
(2024) ESMAD/IPP: Degree final evaluation Jury
Higher School of Media Arts and Design, Polytechnic Institute of Porto. Vila do Conde, Portugal
(2024) ESMAD/IPP: Jury and member of the organization- Mad Jam, Student competition
School of Media Arts and Design, Polytechnic Institute of Porto (ESMAD/IPP). Vila do Conde, Portugal
(2023) ESMAD/IPP: CTeSPs internship evaluation Jury
School of Media Arts and Design, Polytechnic Institute of Porto (ESMAD/IPP). Vila do Conde, Portugal
(2023) Intermediartes: The spontaneous creation of animation
Scientific article published in Intermediartes – Cycle of Interaction, Media and Arts. Vila do Conde, Portugal
(2023) ESMAD/IPP: Jury – Mad Game Jam, Student competition
School of Media Arts and Design, Polytechnic Institute of Porto (ESMAD/IPP). Vila do Conde, Portugal
(2021) Avanca: From Film Production to Performative Animation
Scientific article published at the Avanc International Cinema Conference. Aveiro, Portugal
(2020) CONFIA: From Performative Animation to Film Production
Scientific article published at the IPC International Illustration and Animation Conference (CONFIA). Barcelos, Portugal
(2020) Aspea: Une Rios a Pessoas
Collaborative project made for the Aspea Association. Creative Lab: Hackathon organized by the University of Porto. Porto, Portugal
(2019) Zero Food Bar: Search for Enlightenment
Interactive multimedia installation made indoors. Porto, Portugal
(2019) Psychosocial Rehabilitation Laboratory: Bicho de 7 cabeças
Motion graphics made for a project at the Psychosocial Rehabilitation Laboratory at the School of Health Polytechnic of Porto. Porto, Portugal
(2019) My Eurostars Hotel (Open Call): Porto d´Ouro
Advertising film awarded in the My Eurostars Hotel competition. Madrid, Spain
(2015) Geração Arte (Open Call): Um Esboço da Amizade
Stop motion animation short film awarded in the Geração Arte competition promoted by Correio da Manhã. Faro, Portugal
