Red Orange

Based in San Francisco, California, Alex Varanese grew up with an interest in video games which naturally lead him to study graphic design and software engineering. In the beginning of his career, he concentrated in programming but until recently, returning to his passion in design.

His style is distinct with usage of 3D modeling, vector elements, and Photoshop design combined and layered with typography, and of course, his signature and favorite color palette of red-orange but claims to apply much "retro" yellowing to his work turning his treatment to more of an orange hue. He quoted, "95% of my work starts with an object, scene or abstract design of some kind." With such hard work, his talent has gain noticed, leading him to work with Chevy, Drambuie, Nike, Fortune, and Surface Magazine.

Known for his strong branding, Alex Varanese is open to flexibility and diversity by stating, "I don't expect my client work to necessarily conform to the style of my personal work, however, it's fine if they want to go in a different direction." Alex Varanese continues to work on larger projects as well as motion-based work with a focus on narrative and storytelling, but expect his first publication near the end of this year.

Nature vs. Industry

I enjoy the depth and complexity of these designs, taking the usual elements and recreating something new and different into fun and eye-catching compositions. Graduated from Savannah College of Art and Design in 2000, Patrick Haemmerlein incorporates his photography and collage skills in his designs. The subject matter is usually "nature vs. industry". The images of nature are a collection of photos from his hometown in Upstate New York, while the industrial elements are gathered images from Los Angeles where Patrick Haemmerlein is currently residing. Check out his website for his photography and collage artwork, as well as his commercial work.

The Streets Of New Belgrade

Graphic designers are a dime a dozen, but finding a designer with a unique style, as well as a strong brand that relates to the clients are harder to find. Jana Jelovac's style is very distinct and bold. It's playful, creative and consistent. It's refreshing to find a designer who have found their vision and their voice, and making their mark in the world of commercialism.

Jana Jelovac stated to Monzuki, "I am a graduated interior designer. Somewhere about my third year of University of Applied Arts in Belgrade, I've realized that graphic design and everything related to it was something that really moves me, and since I have finished the studies, I have decided never to work as an interior designer and that graphic design is all I want to do in my life."

She explains about being experimental and not worry too much about the commercial side of business, as she states, "...just letting yourself go." Many designers are copying something that's been done, rather than using art to change things.

Jana Jelovac's inspiration comes from music, i.e., Unkle, Tricky, etc., and Jean-Michel Basquiat. She quoted, "Jean-Michel Basquiat, one of my favorite artist of the twentieth century, people often judge him with some silly reasons, but I sincerely believe that he was main engine of free-spoken street-ghetto art for every 'raw' artist including me. I was born, raised and spent my childhood in part of Belgrade called New Belgrade, the Block's so I must say that I am very familiar with ghetto life and 'street vibe', so I don't try to suppress it but to use it often in my works."

Unreasonable

Hélder Costa states, "I want people to look at my work and see a story." Personally, I like the symmetrical designs of these wonderful work of art from Hélder which reminds me of the Rorschach inkblot test. Below the surface of these images, is a story fabricated in my own mind.

Hélder studied advertising and multimedia, and he is currently working as a freelance designer. He specializes in graphic design for the music industry for record labels and music promoters. He states, "My inspirations come from everywhere, from designs, from illustrations, from movies, from music, from people, from dreams..." He explains to Monzuki his process by experimenting and letting his intuition do the rest. Hélder Costa is from the city of Porto, Portugal.

Patterns By Design

Philippe Intraligi is a graphic designer who loves pattern design. He was inspired by his grand father who was a traditional graphic designer from old school. Upon graduating from University of Applied Sciences in Düsseldorf, Germany, he worked at many places from advertising agencies to design firms, becoming a stronger designer each step of the way, learning from the creative directors. Philippe, aka Studio Intraligi, is now working as a freelancer in New York with international clients in fashion design, corporate branding, logos and illustrations.

Ciudad De México A Portland

Alberto Cerriteño is an amazing illustrator who loves to draw which gives him an major advantage as a graphic designer, yet both skills complements each other. His style is very distinct and unique using rich colors and textures in his work. He keeps a collection of sketches and textures nearby as he designs and his art supplies when he need to create elements for his projects. I like his work cause it is consistent, creative, and beautiful.

He graduated from Universidad del Valle de Mexico, Campus Lomas Verdes with a degree in graphic design. As a native of Mexico City, he is naturally influenced by the culture. Although his style is not a direct translation, you can see cultural traces by the usage of traditional textures and floral patterns.

In 2005, Alberto decided to move to Portland, Oregon in order to provide a family-friendly environment for his family. For Alberto, family is priority but it is inevitable that work will find him. Besides being a father, he is busy with designing for print, web and animation, as well as developing his character design by drawing. Alberto is currently freelancing as a designer and a director, as well as promoting his beautiful illustration.