gestus is a visual communication, graphic and social design studio based in Berlin, Germany and Annecy, France.
It has been created by Athena Javanmardi and Paco Camberlin after working together for several years at a graphic design studio in Berlin. During this time we developed large knowledge bases and crafts within visual communication fields, but also a strong relationship, found ourselves complimentary in our practices, ethically connecting and mostly enjoying being & working together.
Our practice needs to be focused on partnerships, collaborations and exchanges, not only within our studio but also in the relationships with our collaborators (activists, cultural, educational or social institutions, associations, unions, artists, foundations,etc.). Our focus is on political, social, cultural and educational topics because we cannot separate our work from our beliefs and feelings. We take seriously and with enthusiasm questions regarding representations, everyday politics, social fights, identities, democratic and counter-hegemonic actions, alternative lifestyles, the commons, cultural and artistic practices, etc.
We don't want to dictate morals and we also remove ourselves from marketing and service ideology. Design has enormous potential, which is why we tend to expand our practice beyond mere aesthetics or rhetorical embellishment and emphasize social relationships.
As gestus, we are able to work on forms, images and texts, develop communication concepts, strategies and designs, hold workshops, discuss over teas and coffees, in any kind of medias or settings.
gestus — visual communication & social relationships