Interview with Illustrator Dimitris Evagelou the 10th place winner of the First Intl. Reggae Poster Contest

 

Dimitris Evagelou is a graphic artist – illustrator, born in Larisa-Greece in 1977. He studied sketching, painting and architectural design under the guidance of the Greek painter Michalis Vamvakaris for 3 years. Dimitris studied Graphics and Desktop Publishing at Omega Instistute in Athens and Design Graphics (BA Hons) at Staffordshire University School of Arts in UK.

He worked in several Advertising companies in Athens as graphic designer.

In 2005 he creates “Loopa” art bar in the small city of Volos, with the purpose of produc­ing and promoting illustrations and experimental graphic design and futhermore, organising various exhibitions. One year after he returns in the city of Larisa as a freelance designer where he begins his co-operation with some local theatrical groups (Yp’atmon Theatre and Theatro Tehnon), creating and designing the whole visual communication of the groups. Today, Dimitris, has his own studio (Design/Good studio) in the small city of Larisa. His work has been published many times in local newspapers or magazines and also in various inter­national creative blogs and websites.

Online porrtfolio at:
www.designgood.gr
www.be.net/dimitrisevagelou

Congratulations on your win in the Reggae Poster Contest 2012 (RPC). Tell us, how did you get into the design field?
Thanks for the invitation to enter my design, and it’s a great honor to have won a prize.
Well, what can I say about being a designer. I really don’t know. I always remember myself drawing and sketching everywhere. At the age of 18, I had to choose between being an artist or a designer. I chose the latter because I believe that graphic design is a fascinating world, where there are various fields in which you can experiment and work. That gives me much more freedom.

How did you find out about the RPC and, after seeing the results, what’s your impression?
I read about the RPC in a Greek graphic design magazine. At that time, I was experimenting on another similar project about a Dub festival and I was listening to Reggae and Dub music a lot. I wanted to get the right feeling for the posters. So when I read about this contest, I felt that I was ready to do it.

When did you become attracted to Reggae music?
I consider myself a music listener in general. Since 1993, I’ve been collecting records of various music styles. To tell the truth, I prefer listening to more contemporary music, like electronica, ambient, dub and techno. It helps me thinking forward and moving on.
Reggae has a special place in my heart. I listen to it when the sun comes out and it helps me approach the summer mood. I’m attracted to Reggae because it is fundamental. There is a lot of history in it.
I like the relaxed feeling that comes out of it and I love the rhythm, the bass lines and the riffs…

What’s it like seeing your work in the RPC top ten best Reggae posters?
It is really a great feeling. There was a large number of competitors and that makes me feel more proud. The fact that I’m still getting a lot of great comments and warm feedback from all over the world makes me so happy about it.

Describe your design philosophy and the meaning behind your winning poster?
My poster is an illustration of a Rasta man’s face. Lately, I am very attracted to drawing faces and portraits. I believe that portraits just “talk for themselves” and communicate with the viewer in a very mysterious way. I love the atmosphere of mystery. I used earth tone colors to give to my art work a more classical look which will help it stand out strong through time. In my opinion, those are the main elements that make it so powerful.
Do you consider yourself an artist or a designer?
That’s a difficult question. Graphic design contains both communication and art. If the project is only a communicative piece, then it is not graphic design. If your work contains only art, which means that you’re just expressing yourself, it’s not graphic design either. Well, for that reason, you could say I feel both artist and designer, depending on the project that I’m working on.

How would you summarize your experience with the First International Reggae Poster Contest? Did it live up to your expectations?
Of course it did. It was a great experience participating in the contest and the fact that my work is in the top 10 of 1,142 submissions from 80 countries, gives me the appropriate energy and recognition to move on. Especially, when your work is being judged by famous and talented designers such as Luba Lukova, Yossi Lemel and Andrew Lewis, it gives me an incredible incentive to continue growing.

What’s your thoughts on our objective to have the Reggae Hall of Fame museum built in Kingston, Jamaica?
Reggae music first developed in Jamaica in the 60s and it is more than just a music style. Reggae is a cultural Jamaican thing. It is important to have a Reggae Hall of Fame Museum for presenting the full-story and history of it.

What is your impression on Reggae Music in your country?
Reggae music is very popular in my country. Greece is a sunny and hot place on the Mediterranean sea with thousands of beautiful islands and great beaches. There is no better music than Reggae that you can listen to, in a relaxed place with such beauty.

Who are your favorite Reggae artists
Some of my favourites are King Tubby, Keith Hudson, Freddie McGregor, Errol Dunkley, Massive Dread, Tony Tuff, Rhythm & Sound and many many more…

Will you participate next year, in the Reggae Poster Contest 2013?
It depends. If I have a great idea or a nice artwork, I would love to participate again.

Thank you for being with us Dimitri. Let’s see below some more of your amazing illustrations!!!

 

 

Maria Papaefstathiou

VISUAL DESIGNER since 1996 and blogger since 2010. Living in Athens, Greece. She has been focusing her research on poster design and particularly on social poster design and portrait design. Her main poster project is a series of posters celebrating great personalities of traditional and popular culture in Greece and Jamaica. These include actors, singers, musicians, poets etc. This is an ongoing project. “I believe that design is a powerful tool that we designers can use to spark enthusiasm, change mindsets and bring positive actions to our world and our culture”. FOUNDER AND EDITOR OF GRAPHICART-NEWS.COM BLOG. She carefully curates high-quality designs, illustrations, and art, from all over the world that will teach and provoke other designers. Many consider her blog to be an exceptional educational tool. CO-FOUNDER OF THE INTERNATIONAL REGGAE POSTER CONTEST which was launched on December 2011, partnering, the creative activist Michael Thompson aka Freestylee. (www.reggaepostercontest.com)

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