Tiago Cruz is a Portuguese communication designer with a background in drawing, visual storytelling, and digital media. He teaches at the University of Maia (UMAIA), where he combines academic research with creative practice.

A central element of Tiago’s creative and academic work is the graphic diary or sketchbook, which he explores as a space of reflection, visual thinking, and personal expression. His master’s thesis, “From the Private Sphere to the Public Sphere: the Sketchbook as a Medium of Visual Expression and Communication,” focused on the sketchbook’s communicative and cultural value, on how authors explore the boundary between the private and the public.

With a background in stage design and a PhD in Digital Media Art, Tiago has also developed art installations and regularly participates in artistic and research projects linked to visual culture and the arts. He also works professionally as a communication designer and illustrator.