Because we believe in the power of graphic design to spread powerful ideas and meaningful messages, we love using our skills to develop self-initiated projects that positively impact our community.
Nicole Tencha, the studio’s founder, and her friend Sofia Sappia, both Argentinians living in the Netherlands, share a deep passion for literature. They have always cherished reading in their native language and the feel of holding a physical book, but in their new country accessing books in Spanish proved difficult. They soon realized they weren’t alone—there was a small and ever-changing Spanish-speaking population in their city that faced the same challenge.
Together, they envisioned a collective library created by and for this community, one that would foster book sharing and broaden access to Spanish-language literature. Their idea was simple: if everyone shared the few books they brought when moving abroad, these scattered collections could come together and grow into a rich, shared resource, making everyone feel a little more at home.
This idea became Nuestra Biblioteca, a library with a unique and innovative structure. Instead of existing in one place, it is a "fragmented library," with books distributed across various homes. A shared online catalog ties these collections together, forming an ever-growing, collaborative library.
After defining the concept and setting up the structure, we designed the visual identity and developed a promotional system to spread the word.
The visual concept was inspired by the Dutch buurtbiebs, those traditional small book cabinets placed on sidewalks and at house entrances to encourage book sharing and exchange in the neighborhood.
As more books and people join the library, the richer the exchange becomes. That is why participation is entirely free. Today, more people can enjoy the pleasure of holding a book in their native language while experiencing the joy of sharing their own books with others who love reading just as much.