D[X]I, a formation of two individuals, means what?
It means "diseño por/para la industria". From the beginning we wanted people to realise the importance of design, which involves more aspects than merely the aesthetics ones.

Would you define D[X]I as an artist group or as an agency or simply as publishers?
We might define ourselves like a bit of all three things or, after some thought, none of them. Such words do not have to be "condemned" to these definitions. It seems that everything that includes the word "artistic" has been given an added value. On one hand, there are many-hypertrophied self-esteem in the world of art, and on the other hand, some kind of inferiority complex regarding the applied arts. Nevertheless, nowadays the borders between disciplines are quiet stumped. Anyway, returning to the question, we might say that, in any case, we are a group of people able to generate creative projects.

When and how did the D[X]I career begin?
I think the idea and desire to make a magazine was always in our minds. Both of us were enthusiastic about the possibility to launch a new magazine which talks about design in our own language and our own way of seeing; which believes in experimentation, creates discussion and gives the opportunity to show the work of a new generation of designers and artists who have different opinions and who want to tell their stories. The project started in Valencia, in the year 2000. We started with a menial issue # 0, with just a few pages. We were not yet sure we would continue.

What did you do before D[X]I? Did you know each other long before starting?
What did we do before D[X]I… Well, studying and working. Both of us have studied design and fine arts. Silvia already finished at the Faculty of Arts and Alex studied Industrial Design on the same university, where we both met. Alex studied graphical design before and already had working-experience in this field. We met at the design school and not much later we met at a club in Valencia, from where we started being friends.

We didn't loose any time before doing the first issue. We felt like doing something and getting active. We were getting bored of our fellow friends, mainly because we were the 'oldies' of the school. However, this was not the only reason we were also united, because we are all bikers. Furthermore we subscribed to the gym together. Although we still don't know why only one of us got muscles! whereas the other remained 'spongy' (and we won't say who!)

Is D[X]I for sale? Why not? How do you finance D[X]I?
No, it is a free of charge publication. We're considering the possibility of fixing a price to it further on. Initially we decided that the magazine had to be free of charge because we wanted to make it more approachable. We thought it would be easier to spread it better this way. It was important to give an incentive to design by promoting its culture, especially here in Spain, where design is still consider as a new profession. We don't have an old tradition as in UK, Germany or Italy… especially with regards to industrial design. We finance the magazine with the support of some sponsors and thanks to the advertisers. Experimentation, creativity, interaction, freedom... These concepts are also the same ideals that lead and motivate us to create a new media: another way of making a magazine. In this sense, D[X]I came out as an innovative publication that proposes other points of view in terms of design. We built the hope to create a sort of movement, some reaction from the people. In the 90's, everybody was talking about hypothetical "X generation". At that time we were not teenagers anymore, so we did have nothing to do with the apathy of that new generation.

What is the mission of D[X]I? For whom is it published and what are the messages?
The magazine is not only aimed at designers, architects or artists. It is also dedicated to all the people interested by the subjects we talk about. Eager people… to sum up.

Where do you get your inspirations and your nourishment?
We get inspired by everything, in simple things. We love reading books & magazines, going to the movies, exhibitions, travelling. Both of us are painters as well. Alex has taken part in some theatre opera. Silvia has been keen on writing since she was a child.

Can one say that you have created your profession out of your hobby?
Yes, we think so. At least this is what we want to keep on doing. We expect something more from our job than just a simple way of getting money to pay the bills. Furthermore, due to the magazine we've managed to reaffirm our vision of design culture. Creating the magazine give us freedom and much personal satisfaction, but it also entails certain sacrifices. We have had to resign most of our free time in order to complete it.

Do you enjoy the amount of popularity you have achieved in the mean while? Being the publisher of a design magazine does that help you in your daily work with design clients?
We don't consider ourselves popular... but if that had been the case, we would not have taken it in a bad way. Since nothing is free, we suppose that it has a value that others recognize you in work; but with regards to vanity, which in a manner of speaking is always hungry, it is convenient to put ego onto a diet occasionally… it is necessary to prevent these type of things from distorting the reality or distracting ourselves. Finally the most important thing is to remain satisfied that which one does, in the way that you have decided to do it.

What other books and magazines are valuable for you?
Books: Akal (Art Essays) // Gustavo Gili, 010 Publishers, Herman Blume, Actar... (Design) // Magazines: We use to gather all kind of magazines, not only the known ones, such as Tank, I-D, The Face, Wallpaper, Big, ... but also the independent/low budget ones. (By the way, what are the most interesting publications in Germany from your point of view?)

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