Interview with Hélder Dias

Hélder Dias is a Graphic Designer by profession and heart, graduated from ESEIG (currently ESMAD), lives and works in the great Porto. His passion ranges from typography and editorial design to branding and illustration, passing through many other creative fields.  With a strong opinion about design and a posture of constant learning between practice and theory, he strives to explore unique concepts that suit each client, thus responding to the most varied needs of visual communication. Nothing is left to chance.

Can you remember the first image or images you saw that made you think about working as a graphic designer?

 It is a little difficult to find an exact answer, it would be more a set of images or a set of influences that have built a path to get to graphic design. From an early age I have been interested in all kinds of graphic materials such as magazines, packaging, posters, books, etc. Basically, all kinds of media that could carry some kind of graphic exercise of communication. From this set of factors allied with a problem-solving mentality, I became aware that the discipline of graphic design would be a choice.

How has your style changed over the years? 

At least until now, I think that the evolution that will stand out the most will also have the normal relation with the technological evolution, that is, the experimentation and use of new tools and the fruits of that. But I think there are some lines that I am exploring and that continue to guide what I develop, which are the use and exploration of typography and the tendency to develop strong, punchy compositions, with little restraint and letting the message and concept give dimension to the whole. I consider this to be the skeleton of the matter and it ends up being reflected in pieces, some more eloquently and others less so, ranging from labels, posters, visual identity programs, covers etc.

What is the most exciting part in the process of your work? 

Losing myself in exploring and experimenting with error, finally finding some order amidst the chaos and creating a satisfying end result.

You live in Porto, Portugal. Do you think the city has an impact on your work? 

Yes, it definitely has an impact. For several factors, but the main ones are undoubtedly the graphic design community, the landscape and the history. The first factor ranges from those involved in teaching to professionals in the area, in the second factor for its contrast between local tradition and a more urban component where we find things like architecture, graffiti and other forms of artistic and cultural manifestation. This atmosphere of Porto and the north of the country, no doubt, marks my work and the way I approach it.

Are you a “yes” or a “no” man?

I think a bit of both, but more of a yes. I like to say yes to new opportunities and experiences.

What’s the best piece of advice you have heard and repeat to others?

Practice hard, don’t give up on your goals, stay true to yourself.

Interview with Matteo Bertin

Matteo Bertin is an italian based art director who designs experiences to improve communication among people. Because of his experimental approach to design his studio is packed with movable types and old printing machines.
Matteo believes that focusing on the design method rather than the final result can be the right choice to guarantee better and long-lasting products.

Interview with Miró Ingmar Tiebe aka MIRUEL

Miró Ingmar Tiebe aka MIRUEL is an illustrator from Hamburg, Germany. In his works he is always looking for more variety in his style. He is influenced by the stylistics of Art Nouveau and many science fiction artists of the 70’s and 80’s, as well as contemporary graphic design and long walks through nature, where he likes to observe the forms of plants and landscapes. By combining all these differences in his work, he aims to creates new visual forms of expression and dynamics in illustration.