Alberto Rigau

DESIGNER, ESTUDIO INTERLÍNEA, SAN JUAN PR

Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Alberto is a seasoned designer based in San Juan. With nearly two decades in the field, his versatile practice spans a wide array of design projects, including branding, publications, exhibits, wayfinding systems, and environmental graphics. It is this work that enables him to engage with initiatives that seek to advance and impact the design discipline.

Alberto is a passionate advocate for design education and community involvement. As a Board Member of Puerto Rico’s Casa del Libro, he promoted the collection’s use for academic research. In his role as Co-Chair of AIGA’s Design Educators Community (AIGA DEC), he collaborated with educators nationwide to create programs and resources that support academic research and teaching in design. Locally, he serves on the steering committee of the Design Dinners community, where he works to strengthen Puerto Rico’s design scene by fostering new connections. Recently, he joined the core team of the People’s Graphic Design Archive, where he aims to support and build specialized design communities.

Beyond his studio practice and volunteer endeavors, Alberto has taught graphic design at several universities in both Puerto Rico and the United States.

TELL US HOW AND WHY YOU BECAME INVOLVED IN SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE COMMUNICATIONS, AND SHARE ANY THOUGHTS ON WHY DESIGN CAN BE AN ESPECIALLY EFFECTIVE TOOL?

Like any type-A design student from the early 2000’s, my early career focused on making a lot. My practice aimed at growing the portfolio, no matter how many all-nighters it took. Yet, the experiences of collaborating with my father’s architectural practice, undergoing my master’s program at N.C. State’s College of Design, and collaborating with various peers at AIGA’s DEC, shattered my preconceptions of what a career in design can be. I slowly flipped how I worked, using my practice not as the end-result, but rather, as the means to participate in socially conscious causes.

As my practice matured I grounded it in three landscapes: the concept, the context, and the people. By articulating overlaps between the three, I believe one can identify fertile areas where creativity and design thinking strategies can be applied to produce meaningful outcomes that shape a person’s cultural experience, and of course, if done responsibly, it can lead to socially pertinent work.

Socially responsible design can take many forms, but for me, it’s about enhancing the human experience. While I’m proud of work for various clients, a standout project was collaborating with Lectores para el Futuro, an organization focused on supporting struggling readers, especially children with dyslexia. I helped give its efforts a visual presence that amplified its message, reaching broader audiences and fostering community growth through targeted, context-rich communication.

GIVEN THE CONFLUENCE OF EVENTS AND CHALLENGES OUR SOCIETY NOW FACES, DOES THIS MOMENT PRESENT ANY SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES, URGENCIES, OBSTACLES TO DESIGNING FOR GOOD?

In an age where the internet can validate every perspective, every point-of-view, this generation of designers must be more mindful than ever about the values and ethical implications of our practice. We have a unique ability to foster deeper cultural connections and contribute to the social relationships of our communities. We have an opportunity — and a responsibility — to engage thoughtfully with the societal narratives we help shape. By championing positive and responsible change, we can influence the cultural development of our society, emphasizing inclusivity, understanding, and ethical design practices that foster a more connected, thoughtful community.