About José Neira Délano
In 1987 José Neira received a Master of Fine Arts degree in graphic design from Yale University thanks to the International Student Scholarship awarded by the University
In 1986 he attended the Summer Program in Graphic Design in Brissago, Switzerland, organized by the Basel Kunstgewerbeschule and Yale University.
At Yale University, he studied with some of the key figures that have influenced the field of graphic design worldwide: Paul Rand, Dorothea and Armin Hofmann, Wolfgang Weingart, Shigeo Fukuda, Mathew Carter, Edward Tufte, Richard Wurman, Germano Faccetti, Bradbury Thompson, Alvin Eisenman (program director), Philip Burton, Douglass Scott, Christopher Pullman, among other influential professors.
In 1984 José Neira obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in graphic design from Purchase College, New York, where he received the Dean’s Commendation for Excellence in Design (Dean of the School of Visual Arts, Edward Colker). During this period José studied with teachers Carol Bankerd and Larry Bach (design); Judith Bernstein, painting; Scott Richter, drawing; Murray Zimiles, drawing, and printmaking; Antonio Frasconi, printmaking; Jed Devine, photography, among other professors.
Between 1984-85 and 1987-91, respectively, he worked at the office of Robert P. Gersin Associates, New York on the visual standard system for Sears Roebuck & Co. At 212 Associates, New York, he worked on several projects for the private and public sectors: a signage system for Ohio U., a directory system for Rockefeller Center; map and tourist orientation material for the South Street Seaport; editorial design for the Asia Society and the DIA Art Foundation, among other organizations.
In 1992 he returned to Santiago and established Art & Function (later TesisDG) along with partner Suzanne De Loughry from New York. The company’s major client then was Ripley, the third-largest retail chain in Chile.
Today José Neira is dedicated to visual identity, branding, and editorial design for museums, cultural institutions, and the arts industries.
Relevant work in the past
Visual identity and branding in the private sector
Ripley retail stores, Monex Bank (acquired by CorpBanca, Chile), Botalcura Winery, La Junta Winery, Terrapura Winery, Trivento Winery, and Concha y Toro Winery (the last two brands in collaboration with designers J. M. Allard, F. Gálvez y R. Ramírez). Other branding projects included Las 200 Olive Oil, and Las Piedras Olive Oil.
José Neira has also designed the brands for the Center for Mathematical Modeling (CMM), and the National Lab for High Performance Computing (NLHPC), both centers within the Faculty of Physical Sciences and Mathematics at the University of Chile. Between 2018 and 2020 he designed the visual identity, branding, creative content, and website for SANDO, a casual food business venture in Bethel, Connecticut, USA.
Visual identity and branding for cultural organizations in Santiago, Chile
Estación Mapocho Cultural Center, Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art, La Moneda Cultural Center (at the outset), Artistic and Cultural Extension Center of the University of Chile (CEAC).
Editorial design and exhibits
Between 2003 and 2008, he completed several important book design projects for ENTEL (National Telecommunications Company); DIBAM (Library, Archives and Museums Direction, today the National Service of Cultural Patrimony), and the National Historic Museum.
For the Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art in Santiago, he has designed exhibits and catalogs, a client since 1998.
Between 2000 y 2010, in association with photographer Guy Wenborne, and architect Elizabeth Huyghe, José Neira completed several editorial projects for Huinay Foundation, a scientific research center operated by ENDESA, National Electric Co. (today ENEL Chile).
Other editorial projects were completed for the Faculty of Physical Sciences and Mathematics at the University of Chile: The Communications Office, the Center for Mathematical Modeling (CMM), and the Center for Advanced Research in Materials (CIMAT).
José Neira has designed books, catalogs, and exhibits for the Chilean artists Samy Benmayor, Bororo, Jorge Brantmayer, Josefina Guilisasti, and Pilar Ovalle.
In 2015 he designed the exhibition for the Chilean architect Teodoro Fernández, on the occasion of receiving the National Award in Architecture.
Packaging for wineries and other products
Concha y Toro Winery, Botalcura Winery, La Junta Winery, Terrapura Winery, Las 200 Olive Oil, Las Piedras Olive Oil, Fernando Almeda, oenologist, among other Chilean brands.
Wayfinding and signage
José Neira has been a consultant on public transportation research for the Center for Sustainable Development (CEDEUS) at the Catholic University of Chile.
He has also designed signage systems for the Faculty of Architecture, Design, and Urban Studies at the Catholic University of Chile, and for Botalcura Winery among other institutions.
Recent work
Between 2016 and 2024, he worked on the visual identity and communication material (printed and digital) for the Artistic and Cultural Extension Center at the University of Chile (CEAC), the coordinating office for the National Symphony Orchestra of Chile, the Symphonic Choir, the Chamber Choir, and the National Chilean Ballet. Work included design, creative, and art direction (photography and audiovisual material) for all music and dance programs and annual publications.
Published work and award nominations
In 2008, books and other printed material designed by José Neira (TesisDG) were featured in the book Latin American Graphic Design edited by Felipe Taborda and Julius Wiedemann (Taschen).
In Chile, he has received four nominations to the Altazor Awards in the National Arts.
Academic activity
Between 2014 and 2022, José Neira was an Adjunct Professor in the School of Design at The Catholic University of Chile. In collaboration with professors Paz Cox and Francisco Gálvez, he taught the 1st year studio course in visual communication and tutored 5th year students for their senior projects.
In the same school, he taught the 3rd and 4th year studio course (Quality II) where students undertake an exhibition problem in collaboration with museums in Santiago: Benjamín Vicuña Mackenna Museum and the Gabriela Mistral Museum of Education. In previous years José Neira has taught the 2nd year Interaction Design studio course, along with professors Pablo Hermansen and Martín Tironi, with whom he has conducted qualitative research on the theme of urban spaces as interfaces. In 2015, the paper The Prototype as a Cosmopolitical Place: Ethnographic Design Practice and Research at the National Zoo in Santiago, Chile was presented at the European Academy of Design Conference in Paris, under the title The Value of Design Research, and in 2016, at the Design Research Society, DRS2016, Brighton University, UK.
During 2012 and 2013, José Neira was a full-time Assistant Professor in the Design Department, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Studies at the University of Chile. He taught a 4th-year studio course on information design, tutored 5th-year students for their senior projects, and was a member of the committee for curricular reformation.
Between 2007 and 2009 he was Director of the Design School at Andrés Bello University in Santiago, Chile.
Between 1992 and 2004, José Neira was an Adjunct Professor at the School of Design in Finis Terrae University where he taught the 3rd and 4th-year studio courses in graphic design.