Rótulos & rotulistas: Exploring Mexican popular hand-painted signs and sign painters through Design Anthropology

Given the phenomenon occurring in the Cuauhtémoc neighborhood in Mexico City, where hand-painted signs called "rótulos" are being dismantled from informal and local commerce premises. This thesis conducts a Design Anthropological analysis of these rótulos and their context to shed light on their significance in Mexican popular culture and their influence on society's visual culture. By utilizing the tools and techniques employed in the field of Design Anthropology, this research aims to explore the cultural and social aspects intertwined with these iconic graphic elements. Through interviews and visual analysis, this study will examine rótulos from two perspectives, firstly, as a graphic sign, and secondly, as a profession, the rotulista. Furthermore, this study aims to contribute to the broader understanding of the popular visual culture in Mexico and the preservation of unique expressions that act as symbols of cultural and artistic significance within Mexican society.