Andrés Rosa approaches design by rejecting logic and embracing Dadaist thinking

Alicante-based graphic designer Andrés Rosa works mainly in editorial design, corporate identity and art direction. Drawing inspiration from technical design systems, Andrés understands graphic design as a “continuous learning experience”, he tells It’s Nice That. “I consider myself a curious and restless person, learning from everything that surrounds me.”

For Andrés, the beginning of his design process is particularly important, place a lot of emphasis on the research phase. “It is essential to work with a solid and dynamic idea that adapts flexibly to the final design”, additionally the designer intentionally leaves space for chance within his work; “I like to think that I do not have control of everything.” Andrés credits this creative approach to Dadaism; an art movement arising from the early 20th century centering around Zürich which rejects the logic, reason and aestheticism of modern capitalist society. Instead, Dada favours the expression of the nonsensical, exploring anti-bourgeois sentiments seen through various forms of creative protest.

Andrés executes this Dadaist approach to design by studying fanzines in his spare time. He explains, “I spend part of my free time experiencing typography and illustration through realised fanzines. It helps me to express myself in a more personal way” as fanzines possess a pun-like, DIY nature that is more concerned with raw expression rather than highly sophisticated design. This in turn, allows Andrés to work with new techniques or programmes that capture a more organic visual language that he can then apply to other projects.

Alike most reputable graphic designers, Andrés works collaboratively with clients. There is continuous, fluid communication between client and designer which informs the development of the project. Andrés adds, “I try to surround myself with colleagues that I admire which enriches us both personally and professionally and this is positively reflected in the final outcome.” An example of this is seen in Andrés’ visual identity for the creative Gewoon David. A collaboration with Rafa Garcés, the identity “captures the duality between art and design through the use of free space” as Gewoon himself, embodies the link between the two disciplines. “In printed formats we take advantage of both sides of the duality which creates a more personal relationship with the final customer” as they can relate to either one of the disciplines expressed.

Andrés also designed the visual identity for La Corva Ediciones, a small independent publishing house founded by Misa Shine. All the publications are distinguishably stapled together, which edifies the identity’s “creative, flexible design through the use of typography”. Working across a range of other custom branding and editorial design projects, Andrés’ freelance practice remains open to new challenges which he tackles from the unusual design angle of Dadaist thinking while well-executing his outputs to an exceptionally high standards.