Nicolás Di Filippo and Sebastián Fuks — the colourful duo behind Los Caballos are big believers in creating by play and they've landed some big gigs by doing so! Learning from friends, meditation and artists from other disciplines to develop their unique approach to design — read on to hear how they do it and some bits and bobs of advice for those starting out.
Where did you study and what were some of your first jobs?
We both are Buenos Aires University (UBA) Studio design drop-outs. That is where we both met in 2012. But, to us, learning exceeds the borders of academic development. After we left the University we looked for new teachers in new disciplines, most of them outside graphic design. Musicians, friends, meditation teachers and artists played a vital role in our development over the years. We’ve learn the most from friends. Teamwork has always been a constant in the first projects we developed on our own. “Casa Presa” for example, a house rented with friends were we started working together and exchanging experiences with local artists, musicians, writers, actors and filmmakers. Our closest friends and the ones that inspired what we do.
What does a typical working day include for you right now?
A typical day is a different (new) day. We have no routine. Sometimes we work with the morning sunshine, a cup of coffee in our hands and checking the agenda. We enjoy talking a walk around the neighbourhood and sitting in the grass in a park to think about the daily schedule. Leaving the studio helps us find references beyond design, in the streets. We also work past midnight sometimes. Friends and colleagues visit the studio frequently and night shifts let us experiment and focus on new approaches on our works. Hamburgers for dinner while streaming The Simpsons or The Office episodes is a regular procedure for any typical day.
What is the design landscape like on your city and where do you fit in?
Buenos Aires is a city that never stops, so we are constantly working to keep up with the chaotic exigences and demand of our temperamental hometown. Those aspects of the city were reflected, for example, in our project Buenos Aires Type. We were invited by Citype to create a typography that showed the constant movement and erratic dynamic the city displays. Fortunately, the whole local design scene is constantly growing. Galleries and fairs gather designers and illustrators who meet to share or discuss their works, while at the same time their work is easily available for the public.
Any passion projects/collabs you would like to share?
When designing and sharing with very enthusiastic and creative friends it is normal for ideas to flow constantly, so it makes us really happy when an idea meets its final product or artwork. That's why we find excuses to experiment with ideas. For example, one night shift collaboration with Frank The Kook ended with a printed zine. Playing with a typography for our city lead us to illustrate for Lacoste Paris. Procrastinating with The Simpsons lead us to create content for one of the main food companies in Argentina. We are strong believers that good projects catch you when you relax and enjoy what you do.
Are you involved in any mentoring/teaching/workshops and if so how it shapes your practice?
Yes. We are preparing a workshop for students and graduates where the objective to explore each personal language with small group tasks. The main objective is to switch minds about what is “right or wrong” on design and to start seeing that everything works if it's authentic. This allows us to explore new languages, exchange thoughts on design with students and to erase the limits between play and labour.
What advice would you give students starting out?
Find that thing you enjoy, do it constantly, and never judge it by your own.
