João Mateus has a degree in Electrical Engineering from Lisbon University, a Master’s degree in Multimedia Educational Communication from the Open University, and a Ph.D. in Industrial and Graphic Design Methods and Technology from the University Polytechnic of Valencia, Spain. The subject of the doctoral thesis: “3D Digital Prototyping in the Context of Teaching Design – Its Role in the Conceptual Phase of Industrial Product Development “.

As a researcher, his focus of interest, in addition to the integration of Digital Prototyping Technology within the field of teaching Design, is the relationship between these technologies and the process of sustainable product design.

He was a professor at the Caldas da Rainha School of Arts and Design until he retired in February 2025. He taught several courses in Digital Prototyping Technology there. These courses included three-dimensional modelling, image synthesis, digital simulation, and product optimisation. He was also the Coordinator of the ESAD.CR Digital Prototyping Laboratory. This laboratory provided services to companies and the school community in the area of additive manufacturing.