Mexican design experts give us keys to think about the situation of the discipline in that country Is design really appreciated in Mexico? The question, usual in the universe of local design, took force again a few weeks ago when the controversial new logo of the Mexico International Airport AIFA was unveiled . For many experts, the case did nothing more than represent an entire conception of the discipline. Some even dared to wonder out loud, do people know what a designer does? To better understand the idea that exists in Mexico about design .
we spoke with specialists from that country who told us Image Manipulation Service about the obstacles they encounter every day when wanting to apply their knowledge and, even much earlier, when it comes to training. They also rescue the undeniable and powerful visual culture of the country and try to outline alternatives to collaborate with a change of mentality. Is design valued in Mexico? two Juan Carlos Fernández Espinosa investigates the conception of design in Mexico. The glorious past versus the precarious present For the designer Juan Carlos Fernández Espinosa ( @jc_ideograma ), who has carried out huge-scale projects such as the Bicentennial designs, and deeply reflected on the AIFA case , it is undeniable that Mexico is a country with enormous cultural wealth in areas that should positively impact design.
“Chronologically, we could start by thinking about the inventiveness of the pre-Hispanic peoples and their amazing writing systems that they captured in codices and pyramids. Our Aztec, Mayan, Zapotec, Olmec and Mixtec ancestors already designed logograms, pictograms and ideograms that continue to amaze to this day”, he observes. He also deepens, "even more impressive is the skill with which they knew how to narrate stories through them, in immensely more precarious situations and without the tools that current designers use to build the storytelling that we idolize so much." Is design valued in Mexico? 4 In his historical journey, Espinosa expresses fascination with the result of the graphic syncretism that the viceroyalty bequeathed and with the stained glass windows.