Álvaro Sousa

Bio: Álvaro Sousa is an academic researcher from University of Aveiro. The author has contributed to research in topics: Design history & Portuguese. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 4 publications receiving 3 citations.

Signs Workshop: The Importance of Natural Gestures in the Promotion of Early Communication Skills of Children with Developmental Disabilities

Abstract: This article emphasises the importance of natural gestures and describes the framework and the development process of the "Signs Workshop" CD-ROM, which is a multimedia application for the promotion of early communication skills of children with developmental disabilities. Signs Workshop CD-ROM was created in the scope of Down's Comm Project, which was financed by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, and is the result of a partnership between UNICA (Communication and Arts Research Unit of the University of Aveiro) and the Portuguese Down Syndrome Association (APPT21/Differences).

Developing an interpretation centre for portuguese design : CIDESP.PT

Abstract: keywords Considering the lack of importance of the discipline in the Portuguese and international context, this paper aims to present and discuss a museological and museographic project that’s in its early stage and started to be developed concerned with Portuguese design history and design studies. The focus on the theme Portuguese design is justified by the extent of the heritage of communication artefacts, equipment and environment, presently dispersed about the country and at risk of disappearing into oblivion. The paper present’s an approach based in a new hermeneutical dimension which methodology will be centered on the study of the artefacts based on the ‘inverse design’ and it will be focused on the morphogenetic study, related with their importance next to the public sphere. Considering the specificity of Portuguese design history the paper refers’ some notes on this subject, giving some examples that can be considered as some starting references to proceed with the project. The results of this research it will be declined in augmented interactive representations regarding the importance of the personal narratives related with the selected artifacts. This project seeks to contribute to the minimization of the invisibility of design Portuguese knowledge and to be used as a model to other countries. portuguese design history, inverse design, museography and museology of design Developing an Interpretation Centre for Portuguese Design CIDESP.PT Vasco Branco vasco.branco@ua.pt Francisco Providencia correio@fprovidencia.com Helena Barbosa helenab@ua.pt Nuno Dias ndias@ua.pt Joana Quental joana.quental@ua.pt Alvaro Sousa alvarosousa@ua.pt Goncalo Gomes goncalo@ua.pt ID+ / University of Aveiro Fatima Pombo fpombo@ua.pt ID + / University of Leuven Alice Semedo semedo.alice@gmail.com Sandra Senra sandra.msenra@gmail.com CITCEM / Faculty of Arts, University of Porto Rui Mendonca gemeorui@gmail.com ID+ / Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Porto

Marca: uma metodologia para avaliar o desenho e seus impactos

Abstract: 1 Álvaro Sousa, Designer, Assistente do Departamento de Comunicação e Arte da Universidade de Aveiro, Portugal, alvarosousa@ua.pt 2 Maria da Conceição Lopes, Doutorada em Ciências e Tecnologias da Comunicação, Professora Associada com Agregação do Departamento de Comunicação e Arte da Universidade de Aveiro, col@ua.pt Abstract ⎯ The process of creating brands is developed by a multidisciplinary team of skilled professionals. Communication, marketing, naming and design are some of the fields influencing any brand identity. Aggregating agent of multiple sensibilities, the Designer crafts relations among all concepts that gain visibility in the arguments he defends. Leadership is his standpoint. And yet the Designer is often underestimated due to his “doing” rather than “justifying”. A methodology to strengthen, differentiate, and judge the Designer’s brand communication power has been built up. Collect and codify target audience points of reference, generate a data source, scrutinize, interpret results and set up the final arguments are interactive parts of his groundwork. In other words, to know what the brand consumers grasp and hope to find in a brand may reinforce its comprehension, impact and competitiveness in the markets, thereby contributing to strengthen the Designer’s arguments face to other experts within institutional communication.

Discrimination and Comprehension of Synthetic Speech by Students with Visual Impairments: The Case of Similar Acoustic Patterns.

Abstract: This study examined the perceptions held by sighted students and students with visual impairments of the intelligibility and comprehensibility of similar acoustic patterns produced by synthetic spe

The Effects Of A Therapeutic Recreation Program On The Self-Esteem, Communication, And Social Skills Of Persons With Developmental Disabilities

Abstract: Persons with developmental disabilities often experience significant challenges and functionallimitations due to chronic cognitive and/or physical constraints. Although the severity andmanifestation of these challenges are unique to each individual, there is much evidenceindicating that social and communication skill deficits, as well as decreased self-esteem, areamongst the most pervasive and common. These challenges often require support beyond what isprovided in the school environment. Community therapeutic recreation programs such as TheMiracle League may therefore represent an important resource for these individuals and theirfamilies. The present study aimed to explore the effects of the Miracle League on participantswith developmental disabilities via informant report. Although not statistically significant, theresults provide preliminary support for the positive impact of participation on social skills,communication skills, and self-esteem.