About Us
Rara Matter is a design + strategy studio specializing in branding, visual, and UX solutions for arts, culture, and change.
We're an independent studio partnering with purpose-driven clients to create lasting branding, visual, and UX solutions. Our approach is driven by collaboration, joyful experimentation, and commons-led design, where knowledge sharing and equitable participation are central to everything we do.
Based in Los Angeles and led by Jessy V. Castillo, a queer gender-fluid designer and strategist, we believe great design happens when we center both people and process. We work with a trusted community of designers, illustrators, developers, and specialists to meet the unique needs of each project.
Our most recent clients include Stanford University, The Latinx Project at NYU, and Orgullo Ajeno Tequila.
OUR SERVICES
Brand Strategy & Identity
Packaging
Visual Design (Digital, Print, Social)
User Experience (UX)
Website Design & Development
Workshops, Speaking Engagements & Trainings
WE ARE COMMITTED TO
Ⓢ Certified Transparency
WE ARE A PARTNER OF
Select Clients
Angel City Football Club
Ánimo Games
The Appeal
Center for Empowered Politics
City Hub and Network for Gender Equity (CHANGE)
City of Los Angeles, Community Investment for Families Department (CIFD)
Don’t Be Jealous Studio
EveryQueer
Food Access LA
For the Birds Trapped in Airports
Genesis LA Economic Corporation
Hyphenated-
The Industry
Justice + Joy National Collaborative
The Latinx Project at NYU
Las Fotos Project
Los Angeles County Arts Education Collective
Monforte Studio
Orgullo Ajeno Tequila
Peace Over Violence
Photoville
Resilient Strategies
SoCal Grantmakers
Stanford University, Institute of Diversity in the Arts
Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation – Los Angeles
Young Women’s Freedom Center
Engagements
Creative Career Center, Program Coach
Las Fotos Project, 2025
“General Operating Support” Grant Program, Panelist
California Arts Council, 2025
Fellowship for Visual Artists, “Building Your Online Presence: Brand Strategy & Website Tips for Artists” Workshop with Monforte Studio
California Community Foundation, 2025
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
Volunteer at AIGA Los Angeles
Member of Means of Books, Freelancers Union, Design Justice Network, Queer Design Club, & Climate Designers
Credits
Portrait: 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 matter, 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.
@raramatter
@raramatter