RAQUEL CASTEDO STUDIO

Raquel Castedo’s design and research practice is focused on visual identity and publication design for cultural and commercial clients who value the power of visual storytelling. She empowers clients through impactful visual narratives with a commitment to excellent design and a lasting influence on their communities.

Raquel Castedo is a Brazilian graphic designer, educator, and researcher based in Baltimore (USA). She came to the Charm City to complete research as a visiting scholar at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) with Ellen Lupton, one of her design heroes. Holding a Ph.D. in Communication and Information from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, her research interests encompass book design and Latin American design histories.

Castedo has over 15 years of award-winning experience in brand identities, publications, environmental design, and exhibitions. In her practice, Raquel has designed over a hundred books in collaboration with publishing houses and communication departments across various institutions, including universities, museums, and art galleries.

In 2019, she joined both the Society of Design Arts (SoDA) and AIGA Baltimore as a board member. In 2021, Raquel created the Latino Design Histories talk series to promote the rich and plural histories of Latin American production in design. The initiative is a collaboration between SoDA and AIGA Baltimore, supported by AIGA Unidos, Stevenson University and the Vancouver Latin American Cultural Centre.

In 2022, Raquel joined BmoreArt as a Creative Director, focusing on branding and special publications.

Since 2023, Raquel shares her expertise by teaching publication design at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA).

AWARDS + RECOGNITIONS

First Prize - Bornancini National Award | Promoted by the Association of Professionals in Design of Rio Grande do Sul [ApDesign] | Project: book “Post-Consumption Benediction” | Brazil, 2024

Best Book in Arts - Açorianos Visual Arts Award | Promoted by the Porto Alegre City Hall | Project: book “Lia Menna Barreto: Diary of a doll” | Brazil, 2020

Shortlist - Latin American Design Awards | Promoted by the Latin American Design Festival [LADFEST] | Project: book “Patricio Farías” | Peru, 2018

First Prize - Bornancini National Award | Promoted by the Association of Professionals in Design of Rio Grande do Sul [ApDesign] | Project: book “Backpack's Pocket” | Brazil, 2018

Silver Medal - Columnists Design Award Rio Grande do Sul | Promoted by the Brazilian Association of Marketing and Advertising Columnists [Abracomp] | Project: book “Backpack's Pocket” | Brazil, 2018

Brazilian Graphic Design Biennial | Promoted by the Brazilian Association of Graphic Designers [ADG Brasil] | Exhibited project: book “Julio Plaza: Poetics | Politics” | Brazil, 2015

Nominated - Jabuti Prize | Promoted by the Brazilian Book Chamber | Project: book “Julio Plaza: Poetics | Politics” | Brazil, 2014

First Prize - Bornancini Award | Promoted by the Association of Professionals in Design of Rio Grande do Sul [ApDesign] | Project: book “To understand MOM & DAD” | Brazil, 2014

Second Prize - Bornancini Award | Promoted by the Association of Professionals in Design of Rio Grande do Sul [ApDesign] | Project: book “Julio Plaza: Poetics | Politics” | Brazil, 2014

Best Book Cover - Açorianos Literature Award | Promoted by the Porto Alegre City Hall | Project: book “A sea in me” | Brazil, 2014

Design Entrepreneur of the Year - Columnists Design Award Rio Grande do Sul | Promoted by the Brazilian Association of Marketing and Advertising Columnists [Abracomp] | Brazil, 2012 and 2014

Silver Medal - Columnists Design Award Rio Grande do Sul | Promoted by the Brazilian Association of Marketing and Advertising Columnists [Abracomp] | Project: visual identity “Transverse Photography” | Brazil, 2014

Silver Medal - Columnists Design Award Rio Grande do Sul | Promoted by the Brazilian Association of Marketing and Advertising Columnists [Abracomp] | Project: book “Julio Plaza: Poetics | Politics” | Brazil, 2014

Silver Medal - Columnists Design Award Rio Grande do Sul | Promoted by the Brazilian Association of Marketing and Advertising Columnists [Abracomp] | Project: book “Projeto Publishing House: 20 years” | Brazil, 2012

Bronze Medal - Columnists Design Award Rio Grande do Sul | Promoted by the Brazilian Association of Marketing and Advertising Columnists [Abracomp] | Project: visual identity “Bastidores do Evento” | Brazil, 2012

Honorable Mention - Bornancini Award | Promoted by the Association of Professionals in Design of Rio Grande do Sul [ApDesign] | Project: book “FRANTZ: the studio as painting” | Brazil, 2012

Bronze Medal - Columnists Design Award Rio Grande do Sul | Promoted by the Brazilian Association of Marketing and Advertising Columnists [Abracomp] | Project: book “Between Peers: Faraco de Azevedo Law Firm | 60 years” | Brazil, 2011