Tropo is a research project that investigates social movements, public policies and emerging technologies in Portugal that relate to the Anthropocene.

The Anthropocene is a proposed epoch dating from the commencement of significant human impact on the Earth’s geology and ecosystems, including, climate change. The proposed identity system for Tropo uses a combination of two visual themes to suggest connected aspects of the research project. 

The first of these is layering. Since the concept of the Anthropocene highlights the profound impact of human activity on the planet – to the extent that it is actually making impacts at the geological level – the proposed identity system uses stacked layers which are intended to suggest geological layering. The second graphic theme is the spiral which refers to the entropic aspect of environmental problems, in the sense that negative effects of climate change, deforestation, desertification, ecosystem collapse and so on, are not isolated problems, but tend to have unpredictable and ever worsening effects. 

The logotype is dynamic and can be varied in many ways. An interactive version was created for the Tropo website. Collaboration with Jessica Parente.