INÊS BARBOSA DA COSTA
SILLY
BENTES
Role: Brand Identity, Art Direction, Social Media
Art Director: Rita Matos
Agency: New Studio
Year: 2021
Silly is the artistic alter-ego of singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Maria Bentes. Her sound — delicate yet layered, moving between intimate pop and futuristic, atmospheric R&B called for a visual world that could match her music’s duality: personal yet expansive, subtle yet bold.
I developed a comprehensive visual research plan for one of her music videos, shaping the project’s creative direction from concept to execution. My role extended into visual strategy, production design, and promotional materials, ensuring the imagery surrounding her music was as distinctive as her sound.
The process began with visual research and moodboarding, establishing the look and feel that would best translate Silly’s sonic identity into imagery. I scouted locations and coordinated wardrobe, makeup, and hair. To maintain narrative flow, I also sketched the video’s structure, mapping out scenes to ensure the story unfolded seamlessly both visually and emotionally.
Beyond the music video, I designed posters and ads to promote Silly’s new shows, extending the visual language into her live performances. These assets maintained consistency across digital and physical channels, giving her audience a unified and recognizable identity.
Through research, coordination, and design, I helped build a visual universe that mirrors Silly’s music. Intimate yet futuristic, carefully layered yet emotionally direct. From video concepting to promotional campaigns, the work provided her with a coherent artistic identity that elevated both her sound and her presence.