Changethethought

Alright, I really have no idea who this guy is. If you scroll to the end of his illustrations there is a picture that I can only assume is a portrait of the artist. His work consists of simple stylized vector illustrations that I personally find very interesting because they meld vibrant color and trendy design with a human element that results in something that resonates. He is also a Brazilian and being married to one, I have an admitted weak spot for all things filed under ‘Brasil’.

So who is he? I don’t know, his website is under the adress Rubenslp but his email is Falecom and you can view his work here.

written by Christopher | tags: Brazil, Falecom, Illustration, Rubenslp, Vector Art

I have written about Nelson Balaban, AKA Xtrabold in the past. He is an 18 year (yeah my jaw dropped too) old self-taught graphic artist currently based in Curitiba, Brazil. He currently works independently as a full-time freelancer because who really needs very much money when your 18.

For the past few months he has been featured in books and magazines spanning the globe and has received recognition from many members of the design community both in print and online. Computer Arts magazine (UK) recognized him as one of the hottest new talents for 2007/2008 in their “Young Guns” column.

His work possesses all the youth and vigor you would expect and is also highly digital as you would expect. It’s nice to see a few simple graphic works intertwined with his digital collages because you always wonder if young self taught designers such as Nelson are able to back their thick Photoshop work up with subtle typography. I am always leary of jumping on the bandwagon with young designers. Maybe it is just jealousy, but I have always been bothered by the fact that creative publications love to engage in youth worship just as much as the entertainment industry. Restraint, control and the respect for a good idea as opposed to a cool image usually come over time and the appreciation of such things tends to develop as experience and wisdom are slowly attained. Style often has very little to do with substance and is usually only relevant to shifting trends. The irony in style is that it often serves to alienate those ‘not in-the-know’ while something more simple and subtle can usually reach a much broader audience and stand the test of time, regardless of changing trends. I think a good designer should have an ability to shape-shift fluidly between potentially complex trendy styles and more restrained timeless subtlety. Being able to do so has a lot to do with longevity in the creative business and the ability keep earning a living.

After art directing at an agency off and on for a number of years, you look and seek out certain styles from young designers to accomplish a specific look for a client. It is always a toss up however as to how someone young and style heavy will handle a highly conceptual project. For someone of Nelson’s talent none of this may matter because he is able to create such jarring images making him a definite standout among his peers. His images are so original that I am sure he will have no trouble finding work. Hopefully he is being paid well and not being taken advantage of. At such a young age, and starting at such an already amazing level of talent, he is pretty close to a sure thing no matter which way you slice it. What the hell does a 30 year old codger like me know anyway, right?

written by Christopher | tags: Brazil, Graphic Design, Illustration, Nelson Balaban, Xtrabold

Guilherme Falcão Pelegrino (G,fp), is a 23 year old Graphic Designer who lives in São Paulo, Brasil. He creates works for both print and screen. He also does freelance work, as part of the PLAN B collective, where he helps create personal projects such as zines, posters, buttons and many other things.

written by Christopher | tags: Brazil, Graphic Design, Guilherme Falcão Pelegrino

Kako | A.K.A. Kakofonia is an Illustrator/Graphic Artist based out of São Paulo, Brasil. I have been on his email list for a couple years now when he noticed I was on a trip to Brasil with my wife (who is from Brasil) and hoped we would be stopping in São Paulo to visit. Unfortunately we never made it there. He has kept sending me emails however, and his work has gotten better and better. His process of transferring pen and ink illustrations into digital prints yields amazing results. He finally completed his website and there is some really inspiring work on display. He has some exceptional prints for sale as well. Congratulations Kako.

written by Christopher | tags: Brazil, Graphic Design, Illustration, Kakofonia

Silencio is the Graphic Design work and Art Direction of Brazilian Atila Meireles. The home page of the site has to be seen to be believed, but it made me wish I had thought of a floating hippo. How could anything that starts with a sleeping floating hippo be bad? The work doesn’t disappoint either.

written by Christopher | tags: Brasil, Brazil, Graphic Design, Silencio Atila Meireles

The very young, (born in 85) and highly talented Will Murai creates gorgeous illustrations from his very small locale Arujá in Brazil. His work has mass appeal beyond his restrictive borders however, which you can see in his roster of clients. He deserves the accolades and at his age, I am sure he is just getting started.

written by Christopher | tags: Art, Brasil, Brazil, Illustration, Will Murai

There is some nice work in the portfolio of Brazilian Graphic Designer/Illustrator Carlo Giovani. What are they feeding those Brazilians?

written by Christopher | tags: Brazil, Carlo Giovani, Graphic Design, Illustration

João Paulo Alvares Ruas is a Brazilian Illustrator/Artist working for LOBO, in São Paulo, Brasil. His work is really amazing and it appears by some of his descriptions that he works pretty fast. Definitely a natural-born-talent. His work is needless-to-say, inspiringly imaginative.

written by Christopher | tags: Art, Brazil, Illustration, LOBO

Brazilian Illustrator Ana Tokutake has updated her portfolio with some colorful and interesting work.

written by Christopher | tags: Brasil, Brazil, Illustration

There is a wealth of colorful and slick design work in the portfolio of Brazilian Nitrocorpz. I would kill to do some work for Stussy. I wore the hell out of Stussy clothing as a teenager and have always had an affinity for that brand.

Is it just me or do Brazilians have some kind of unique approach to color where they are just unbound to go out on a limb and do something unexpected? There has been some really interesting design emerging from Brazil lately.

written by Christopher | tags: Brasil, Brazil, Design, Typography