Rara Matter is an emergent design practice advocating for arts, culture, and change through visual and strategic means.
With a focus on rethinking systems and designing in a more equitable and holistic way, we challenge norms and expectations through our intentional approach, iterative methodology, and cultivated commons. Rooted in principles of social and gender justice, trauma-informed practices, and accessible design, Rara Matter aims to create collaborations, strategies, and experiences that prioritize empowered engagement, creative curiosity, and community insights.
Jessy V. Castillo
They/She/Elle
Lead Designer + Strategist
Ⓢ Certified Transparency
select clients
Angel City Football Club
Ánimo Games
The Appeal
City Hub and Network for Gender Equity (CHANGE)
EveryQueer
Food Access LA
Genesis LA Economic Corporation
Justice + Joy National Collaborative
The Industry
The Latinx Project at NYU
Las Fotos Project
Monforte Studio
Orgullo Ajeno Tequila
Peace Over Violence
Photoville
Resilient Strategies
SoCal Grantmakers
Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation – Los Angeles
Young Women’s Freedom Center
Engagements
Seasoned Accelerator Program, “Good Design is Good Business” Workshop
Food Access LA, 2024
Creative Career Center, “Website Development Workshop” with Monforte Studio
Las Fotos Project, 2024
Seasoned Accelerator Program, “Good Design is Good Business” Workshop
Food Access LA, 2023
Creative Careers Leadership Lab
Community Works, 2022
Growth In Care Program, “Intuitive Listening, a Collage Experiential”
LA Family Housing, 2021
Youth Over Violence Institute, “Zine-Making Workshop”
Peace Over Violence, 2020
community
Member & Volunteer at AIGA Los Angeles
Member of Freelancers Union, Design Justice Network, Queer Design Club, & Climate Designers
Credits
Portraits: Kevin Novales
Open Source/Libre Typefaces: Uncut Sans by Uncut WTF & Azeret Mono by Displaay Type Foundry
To learn more about why Open Source/Libre Typefaces are important, read Ruben Pater’s “CAPS LOCK” (“Designer as Entrepreneur” Chapter).
To find Open Source/Libre Typefaces, view Velvetyne Type Foundry’s curated list of global projects moving against the grain.