Part of my job at ICFO is to create content and make sure it’s aligned with the institute’s branding guidelines. This project involves creating pictograms that will be used to identify some of ICFO’s research areas. Each area encompasses research groups composed of scientists from various fields, including physical sciences, mathematics, medicine, and more. The designed pictograms are intended to represent the following research areas:

1. Advanced Quantum Materials: This research area focuses on the exploration and development of new materials with unique quantum properties. Scientists in this field aim to create materials that can harness quantum effects for applications in computing, energy storage, and advanced technologies.

2. Light and Matter: Research in this area explores the interactions between light (photons) and matter (atoms and molecules). It delves into a wide range of topics, including optics, spectroscopy, and quantum mechanics, with applications in photonics, laser technology, and understanding fundamental physical processes.

3. Ultra Fast Science: Ultra-fast science investigates phenomena that occur on incredibly short timescales, often at the scale of femtoseconds (10^-15 seconds) or even attoseconds (10^-18 seconds). This area is crucial for studying rapid chemical reactions, electronic dynamics, and understanding the fundamental behavior of matter under extreme conditions.

Each of these research areas represents a unique and specialized field of study within the broader realm of science, with its own set of questions, challenges, and applications.

These pictograms serve to visually represent and distinguish these specific research domains. The rationale behind this project is to provide a  practical and visually engaging method for viewers to understand and recognize the various research domains at ICFO. The use of pictograms helps communicate the essence of each area efficiently and offers a visually appealing and cohesive means of presenting complex information.