Designer Interviews: Berlin Posters
(Berlin bear with Brandenburger Tor and Fensehturm on it’s back)
Tell us a little bit about yourself. Which city do you live in? How did you get into design?
I’m 31 and I come from Krakow. Ever since I was a child i’ve loved all forms of artistic expression, especially those related to graphics, so becoming a graphic designer came to me very naturally.
Tell us a little bit about your design? What inspired it?
It may sound banal but when I was starting with the Berlin poster for 99designs, I thought I wanted to create something beautiful for that city, add my small contribution to that spot on the planet. The bear is such a great theme that I just had to use it. I decided I would also need to add elements of architecture. When creating the background, I accidentally came up with the wall texture, which I saw as a nice idea. In terms of colours, I wanted to show Berlin’s modern character so I built on those that I associate with the EU. I have fun memories about the whole creative process, it was just very smooth and painless.
What makes your city so special to you?
I’ve been living in Krakow since i was born so the city is special to me because of hundreds of experiences and memories related to it. I appreciate Krakow’s rich history and culture. Krakow native inhabitants are really proud of their city. I have met lots of foreigners visiting or living in Krakow and they have all been greatly impressed with this city.
What is your favourite spot in your city? Where do you draw inspiration from
There are plenty. If I were to choose one, the really magical place is the salt mine in Wieliczka right next to Krakow. You can feel there like you are in a film. The surreal underground corridors, game of lights and old scultpures in salt all add to its unique climate.
Where do you draw inspiration from?
What I like most about drawing is when the ideas are born. I have always liked to come up with ideas for books and stories, so I could say that the very chance to think of ideas is inspiring.
(party kids in front of Berghain)
I live in Guadalajara, Mexico and our city is surrounded by history and art. I always admired the work of my city Masters, like famous Visual Artist, Muralists and architects. I knew I was going to be a designer since I was a kid, so I’ve been involved in art and music all of my life, I went to the University of my city and had a Degree on Graphic Design and fine arts, currently I’m a full-time Freelancer and in my free times I play the guitar, and help young kids from poor backgrounds to get out of the streets participating in a Food service program every weekend.
Tell us a little bit about your design? What inspired it?
My poster’s design was based on a specific theme: Represent the Berlin City, and I chose the Berghain Club, I illustrated Club kids in line at the entrance of the building, wearing black, asymmetrical hair, EDM and Techno Music, but with a touch of friendly lines, happy faces and colors almost like a Cartoon or Kids book illustration. Trying to say that regardless of our age, design can be simple and fun like the earlier times of our lives.
What makes your city so special to you?
My hometown is 476 years old city, and it’s a place enclosed by Tradition and culture but also by Technology and Creativity. It’s the best representative city from Mexico, many people relate Mexico to Mariachi music, Spicy food, and Tequila, and all of that is originally from my city.
What is your favourite spot in your city?
My favorite spot in Guadalajara is downtown, where you can find Huge Old Buildings filled by one of Mexico’s most renowned painters work, José Clemente Orozco. He was a brilliant Artist and many of his art and legacy is embodied in this city.
Where do you draw inspiration from?
I love working with kids, every Weekend I’m a volunteer in a food service program for vulnerable kids and teenagers, I spend time talking to them so I always have in mind how does a kid see the world, if you go through my portfolio artwork, you will see Creative and Full-Color designs, Bold and Free paintbrushes and unique Characters.
(3D poster)
Tell us a little bit about yourself. Which city do you live in?
Hi, I am known as Armoredfate, I was born and raised in Bandung, Indonesia. My real name is Bima Maha Wahyu. Only a few people realize this, but the acronym of my name is BMW. My father was a biker back then and one of his favorite motorcycle is BMW R25, which now has become my everyday bike. So, it’s like BMW ride a BMW. Paradox.
Tell us a little bit about your design? What inspired it?
Berlin. Germany’s largest city and among the best destinations in the world for tourists, but mention one reason that make Berlin becomes one of the most incredible places in the world? Yes, it is hard to choose one. Berlin is known as and for many things, arts, musics, architectural buildings, beers, histories. There’s no end of things to do in Berlin.
The 3D poster style is a mirror imaged of peoples in their perspectives. The greatest thing in Berlin depends where we stand. We have to go back look at things from a different angle. And it is a tri-tone colours scheme, Red, Blue and White symbolize Red Collar (Government Servants), Blue Collar (Working Class) and White Collar (Office Workers). So, Berlin it’s all about unity.
And what inspired it? Quite frankly, I did not really remember very, very detail of what was it at that time, but I wish this poster can inspire people somehow. The only thing I remember vividly is I asked my German friend about Berlin, then I start digging over it on the internet while playing “Do Not Consider Yourself Free’ by Embrace on my iTunes. So, I guess I inspired by architectural buildings in Berlin and Embrace’s song. The song is about people’s perspective. So, let me quote some part of the lyric that inspired me:
“So you can stay cool behind your window and choose the view you want to see, but as long as there are others held captive. Do not consider yourself free.”
How did you get into design?
Influenced by my father’s talent in graphics, my childhood time always spent by drawing anything and anywhere, long story short, I met ‘graffiti’ in eight/ninth grade, so when I was in senior high school, my friends and I formed a clique (group) of graffiti writers. My teacher punished me once at that time because I ‘throw-up’ all over tables and chairs in my classroom and ‘bomb’ three walls of the classroom. That was a dumb-thrilled action, but that era shaped me into who I am, more or less. I took it as my experience.
Afterwards, I continue my studies in Visual Communication Design at National Institute of Technology abbreviated as ITENAS, Bandung. A perfect place to enrich my knowledge about art and design. However, I always wanted to take study in Fine Arts and Psychology.
What makes your city so special to you?
Well, this city is truly enriched with nature’s gift. Nestled between three mountains, the ‘City of Flowers’ as Bandung is often referred to is well known for its cool calming weather. And Bandung is commonly referred to ‘Paris van Java’ for its rich heritage in arts and culture. The city is famous for its shopping districts, a wide variety of culinary and produces many best-known bands. For me, personally, what makes Bandung so special to me, because Bandung has lots community spaces, for gigs, gatherings and collective work.
What is your favourite spot in your city?
Park, forest, hill, record store, a bookstore with the green scenery surrounding them and has a small coffee shop inside. But, sometimes I just like to sit on the sidewalk along with my friends, we’re just observing random things or peoples. Just deducing things like Sherlock Holmes. Hahaha Yes, it’s weird, but still fun. People might call it as abnormal, but what is normal anyway.
Where do you draw inspiration from?
It’s easy. Do you want my secret? Try listening to Pink Floyd, I bet it will boost your creativity.
Yes, I often listen to their music, while staring at Claude Monet’s painting or just staring at iTunes Visualizer, plus having a couple packs of cigarette help speed up my brainstorming session.
In fact, inspiration mostly shows up in random places and times; when we’re daydreaming on the couch, as we caught your girlfriend cheating, we cried our eyes out with our heart is leaking out, even when we’re dropping the ‘bomb’ in the bathroom.
But, I strongly believe that everything can be an idea, an inspiration, a weapon eventually if you hold it right.
Additional Posters delivered:
