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Letras Libres Website

by Gustavo Belman RGD

“I strongly believe in the power of community among graphic designers, and being a Certified Member of RGD creates a real sense of connection and understanding. It reminds me that we can all be part of something bigger, and that together we can advocate for our craft.”
Gustavo Belman RGD
Role on the Project:

Art Director/Senior Graphic Designer

Context (Describe the client needs / project brief, including project goals and objectives.)

Letras Libres, a prestigious cultural and literary magazine with strong audiences in Mexico and Spain, sought to redesign its website to better reflect its reputation for thoughtful, high-quality content. The main objective was to create a clean, elegant, and distraction-free digital space where readers could easily access and engage with the magazine’s cultural, political, and literary articles. The client wanted a website that prioritized content and readability, making the rich editorial work the main focus while maintaining a
modern and sophisticated aesthetic. In addition, Letras Libres aimed to integrate monetization opportunities —such as ads, sponsored content and subscription models— without compromising the reading experience.

Design Process (Outline the process from concept exploration to presentation and acceptance by the client; include research, analysis and other investigations that contributed to the solution.)

1. Discovery & Research
Understanding Letras Libres’ brand, audience, and editorial goals. Through content analysis, competitor benchmarking, and reader behaviour research, we identified the need for a minimalist design that prioritized readability and content hierarchy.

2. Concept & Information Architecture
Based on the findings, we developed a site structure that made articles easy to explore by theme, author, and publication date. The focus was on intuitive navigation, quick access to featured pieces, and seamless integration of monetization elements without disrupting the user experience.

3. UX/UI Design
We created low-fidelity wireframes to test layout ideas and refine usability. These evolved into high-fidelity prototypes featuring a clean, elegant interface aligned with Letras Libres’ identity. Typography and spacing were carefully chosen to enhance legibility and visual balance.

4. Review & Iteration
Design concepts were presented to the client for feedback and refined collaboratively to ensure alignment with editorial and business objectives.

5. Final Presentation & Approval
The final design was presented as a cohesive digital experience. Upon approval, the assets and design system were handed off for development and implementation.

Solution (Describe your solution/deliverables and how project goals and objectives were achieved.)

The final solution was a clean, elegant, and content-focused website that highlights the quality and depth of Letras Libres’ articles. The design emphasizes simplicity, allowing text and imagery to take center stage while maintaining a refined visual identity consistent with the magazine’s identity and reputation in Mexico and Spain.

We implemented a clear navigation system and advanced categorization tools to help readers easily discover topics of interest. Monetization features —such as integrated ads, sponsored content, and subscription options— were incorporated without disrupting the reading flow.

To strengthen Letras Libres’ digital presence, the website was designed to connect with social media channels, newsletters, and partnerships, creating a unified ecosystem that extends the magazine’s reach and engagement. The project successfully achieved its goals: improving usability, reinforcing brand prestige, and offering readers an immersive and enjoyable digital reading experience.