Creative Design Workspace in Bogotá, Colombia

Name: Nubikini

Location: Bogotá, Colombia

Occupation: Lettering artist

Room size: 10,5 m² (113 ft²)

Cost of the setup: ~$3,5K

Social media: Instagram, Twitter

Hello! Tell us a bit about yourself

Well, the truth is, before becoming Nubikini, I’ve been Nubia Navarro, with a degree in Venezuelan graphic design. I graduated from Rafael Belloso Chacín University in Maracaibo, Zulia.

I got out of college at least nine years ago and had always been drawn to typography and lettering design.

Even in college, I researched designers who used typography as the main element of their pieces, such as David Carson.

He was one of my first references in this area — and stayed relevant when I was about to leave university and began to approach experimental typography.

I played a lot with wood, linoleum, printing techniques and embossing where I began to experiment with letters in my deliveries to the subjects.

When I started working life, my curiosity led me to play with letters in a much more digital way.

I’ve always tried to modify the forms and create personal projects that had to do with the creation of musical posters and thus be able to practice a little every day with the fonts that I downloaded on my computer.

Currently, I’m based in Bogotá, Colombia — with my heart in Cabimas, Venezuela — the city I was born in.

I enjoy the ability to adapt to any project and also to generate striking pieces that generate emotions through colours.

I founded Nubikini Studio some time ago as a multidisciplinary studio. I’ve developed different skills with the help of collaborators and friends.

The studio has worked on several projects that include a wide range of commissions — from visual identity, branding and concept development to typography.

I describe our process as a “Creation Playground”, and no project will see the world without some fun in it.

As Nubikini, my approach to design is very focused on solving problems through custom lettering, typography, colour and illustration.

I believe in experimentation and diversity as an awesome way of getting ahead of other people and brands.

The most powerful skill I have is not to settle for anything.

I have some important influences in the design and lettering, such as Elliot Tupac, Paula Scher, Jessica Walsh, Herb Lubalin, Paul Rand, and Luís Palencia, among others.

“Always bold, never regular” as a daily mantra helps me navigate between projects, references and new tasks during the day.

When I’m not designing, I’m in the occasional café doodling and enjoying the well-being of doing nothing, as well as playing around with my cat at home.

Take us through your setup

My workspace is very simple, and I’ve always wanted to keep it like that.

I don’t start the day if my desk is not tidy and I don’t finish my work if I don’t leave everything in its place.

The equipment I use belongs to the company I work for, with the occasional personal items of mine.