Leo Porto
Founder · Co Founder · Co-founder · Creative Director
10 articles · Feb 2018 — Feb 2026
Quotes
“We want our clients to be able to articulate themselves clearly.”
“Identities are made to be reinterpreted, contextualised, and constantly evolved.”
“Bonde started from the desire to connect Brazilian creatives living in NY.”
“We wanted to create a visual identity that was easily recognisable and that felt Brazilian in some way without resorting to Brazilian visual clichés.”
“We are hoping to expand Bonde into a bigger platform and to reach a broader audience.”
Articles & interviews
- Porta Rocha are here to challenge industry standards and create seats at the table for designers
It's Nice That · Feb 17, 2026
At November’s Nicer Tuesdays event in London, Brooklyn-based studio Porto Rocha, led by founders Leo Porto and Felipe Rocha, shared their mission to challenge industry standards and expand representation in design. The duo discussed their key projects and the studio’s growth from New York to London, emphasizing inclusivity and global ambition.
Porto Rochabranding - "November's Nicer Tuesdays: Get Tickets for Porto Rocha, Jennie Baptiste Talks"
It's Nice That · Oct 15, 2025
It’s Nice That announces the November 2025 edition of its Nicer Tuesdays event in London, featuring talks from Porto Rocha, Jennie Baptiste, Boomranng Studio, and Alice Isaac. The lineup spans design, photography, and collage, with discussions on identity, culture, and creative process. The event will be held at EartH Hackney with music by Epidemic Sound and sponsorship from El Rayo and Lovecorn.
- PORTO ROCHA and MASP Collaborate on Rebranding with Frontify
The Brand Identity · Sep 4, 2025
The article explores the collaboration between design studio PORTO ROCHA and the Museu de Arte de São Paulo (MASP) on the museum’s rebrand, facilitated by Frontify. It highlights how shared cultural understanding, trust, and open dialogue guided the sensitive modernization of a national institution’s identity. The project retained MASP’s iconic red while introducing a refined logo, new symbol, and flexible visual system aligned with the museum’s expansion.
- Design Founder Shares Anxiety Over Fitting In
It's Nice That · Jun 17, 2025
In this POV column for It’s Nice That, Felipe Rocha, co-founder of Porto Rocha, reflects on his experiences as a Brazilian designer leading a New York studio and the pressures of fitting into the mold of a 'design founder.' He discusses issues of belonging, confidence, and inclusion within the creative industry, calling for broader acceptance of diverse voices and leadership styles. The piece highlights how cultural and linguistic differences shape perceptions of professionalism and authority in design.
- "Top 25 Inspiring Creative Studios of 2025 Unveiled"
Creative Boom · Jun 16, 2025
Creative Boom’s 2025 roundup highlights 25 studios shaping the global design landscape. From Porto Rocha’s socially conscious branding to DixonBaxi’s strategic systems and Hey Studio’s joyful minimalism, the list celebrates studios that combine creativity with purpose. The article underscores a shift toward collaboration, diversity, and design leadership across continents.
- Hotlist 2025: 25 Most Popular Design Studios Voted by Peers
Creative Boom · Oct 28, 2024
Creative Boom’s 'Hotlist 2025' highlights 25 of the most admired design studios worldwide, as voted by industry peers. The article celebrates leading agencies such as Pentagram, PORTO ROCHA, Ragged Edge, and &Walsh for their innovative branding and design work across sectors from tech to fashion. It aims to inspire creatives by showcasing studios that are shaping contemporary design culture.
- Presented by Brandpad: how to handover an identity system to your client in the digital world
The Brand Identity · Apr 13, 2023 · Interview
The article, part of The Brand Identity’s 'The Finishing Line' series presented by Brandpad, explores how modern studios like Ragged Edge, PORTO ROCHA, and Regular Practice approach handing over brand identities to clients in a digital-first world. Designers discuss the shift from static PDF guidelines to interactive, motion-friendly digital systems that empower clients to manage and evolve their brands. The conversation highlights collaboration, ownership, and adaptability as key to successful brand implementation.
- The Freelancers: Natalee Ranii-Dropcho on realising her niche, hiking mountains and staying curious
The Brand Identity · Nov 25, 2022 · Interview
The Brand Identity’s interview with New York-based creative director Natalee Ranii-Dropcho explores her freelance journey, multidisciplinary approach to brand storytelling, and her role at PORTO ROCHA. She discusses balancing strategy and copywriting, building the Kin Euphorics brand, and co-developing the Design Threads report. The conversation highlights her philosophy of curiosity, autonomy, and embracing plurality in creative work.
- The Designers: PORTO ROCHA’s Maddy Angstreich on remote working, learning to code, and more
The Brand Identity · Apr 9, 2021 · Interview
This interview with designer Maddy Angstreich explores her transition to working at New York-based studio PORTO ROCHA, her experiences with remote collaboration, and her evolving relationship with design, illustration, and coding. She reflects on her education, internships at Gretel, and projects like Laboratory for Suburbia and Food Court Magazine. The conversation highlights her curiosity-driven approach and the supportive culture at PORTO ROCHA.
- Felipe Rocha and Leo Porto
The Brand Identity · Feb 15, 2018 · Interview
The Brand Identity interviews Brazilian designers Leo Porto and Felipe Rocha about their collaborative projects, including the creation of Bonde — a platform connecting Brazilian creatives in New York. They discuss their career paths, the design thinking behind Bonde’s identity, and their approach to projects like Melissa’s Flygrl campaign. The conversation highlights their shared values around community, diversity, and cultural representation in design.