we are a graphic design studio with a primary focus on the cultural sector. this is a conscious choice, since we believe in culture’s potential in social and economic reflection and transformation.
our work ethic and daily routine is based on the principle of multidisciplinarity, having backgrounds in both architecture and fine arts. we believe that design is driven by curiosity and an interest in a variety of disciplines.
our design methodology is based on conversation. this is how we create logos; visual identities; exhibition design; signage for museums and buildings; catalogues, books, newspapers and magazines — printed and digital.
as a promoter of dialogue, design is a mediation tool that is not just about form. beyond that, there is communication — and without conversation, there is no project.
to learn more about our way of working, see the interviews we have done for designboom and escola livre.
celso longo (são paulo, 1977) has an architecture degree and master’s degree in design from fau-usp. he is the author of the book ‘total design — cauduro martino’, published by cosac naify in 2014 — for which he received first place in the ‘published works’ category of the 28th design award of the the brazilian house museum. in 2008, he was one of the curators of the 9th brazilian graphic design biennial. he was a lecturer in design and design history at the school of advertising and marketing (espm-sp) between 2009 and 2015. in 2017, he participated in ‘bonde’, an event dedicated to brazilian design that took place in new york.
daniel trench (são paulo, 1978) holds a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from faap and a master’s degree in visual poetics from eca-usp. he is the art editor of ‘serrote’ magazine, published by the instituto moreira salles – awarded at the 10th brazilian graphic design biennial. he was a member of the team leading the workshop to create the visual identity of the 30th são paulo art biennial. he has been a project lecturer at espm-sp since 2007 and has contributed articles for the ‘quatro cinco um’ magazine.
in 2014, we conducted research and curated the exhibition ‘graphic city‘ (itaú cultural), in partnership with elaine ramos. our aim was to reflect on the political and social role of the designers, opening up new possibilities for their performance.
since 2015, we have coordinated the escola da cidade’s design centre, a pedagogical laboratory responsible for the institution’s communication. in 2021, we became the coordinators and teachers of the newly created ‘graphic design and the city‘ postgraduate course.
we were members of alliance graphique internationale (agi) from 2013 to 2021.
the designers bárbara catta and gustavo fragão collaborate with us in the studio today.
past collaborators: alexandre drobac, ana carolina soman, ana paula campos, ana sabino, caterina bloise, cristina gu, débora gonzales, diego tiradentes, elisa bloch, felipe sabatini, gustavo marchetti, isadora bertholdo, julia stabel, luana graciano, luisa prat, manuela vasconcelos, maria fraga, matheus nepomuceno, nathalia cury, nina farkas, thiago simbol and yana parente.
still photos by nino andrés
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celso@cldt.com.br
daniel@cldt.com.br
avenida são luís 187,
galeria metrópole
3º andar / loja 6
cep 01046 912
são paulo / sp / brasil