A look inside the sibling-led studio Democràcia and its disruptive design style

Democràcia is the joint practice of sibling design duo Marta and Javi Tortosa. Based in Valencia, the pair have put their sibling relationship to what some might see as the ultimate test. Together, they’ve managed to run a successful studio for over a decade — finding their niche in bold brand identities for creative projects. Whilst Marta manages the narrative and focus behind each of the studio’s projects, “Javis translates these messages into a more formal design code,” she tells us. “I am focused on the message, him on the form.”

Finding this working balance, the pair have developed a disruptive graphic design style over the years, provocative in both its content and expression. As a studio, both have spent a large part of their careers tackling briefs in the cultural sector, grateful for all the “creative freedom this work allows us”, says Javi. This often manifests in creative editorial work and pieces in print – “we’re great lovers of reading and we find it wonderful to be able to put our talent at the service of publications that contain valuable information,” shares Marta. This process allows them to capitalise on the careful curation of content and to play with the package that it’s translated in, like their Yearbook for Cotec; a book-cum-object that also serves as a banner to advocate for democracy.

Although projects tend to be very much “guided by concept”, Marta and Javi have a few visual influences that always seem to tie into their practice. “On a visual and conceptual level, we are influenced by the midcentury movement, particularly in the fields of art and fashion,” says Marta. “We are also inspired by the work of some of our contemporaries such as Dieter Rams, Bruno Munari as well as some more current design references such as photographer Gosha Rubchinskiy or graphic designer Juan Gatti.” The studio also spends a lot of time keeping their fingers on the pulse of the design world’s turbulent trends; “we like to know the socio-cultural content that underlines these design movements, this is something that makes our work all the more informed,” ends Javi.