I was really impressed when I visited Prop4G4nd4’s website for the first time. Great inspiration! A case study showcase in works for music events and happenings in Greece and abroad. Amazing vector design, earthy deep coloring, spectacular works of art.
PROP4G4ND4 studied graphic design & visual communications somewhere around Manchester, during the turn of the millennium. He has been awarded the EBGE prizes (Design awards in Greece) in the Poster & General Illustration categories in 2009. A music lover and a frequent traveler, constantly seeking stimulation in whatever form it may come. Born and based in Thessaloniki, he currently works as a freelancer.
Thank you for accepting my invitation! I was happy to learn you were from Greece, tell us where you grew up?
You’re welcome. I was born and grew up in Thessaloniki, in the neighbourhood of Analipsi.
Where did you study graphic design?
Did a one-year foundation course on Art & Design at my hometown; then took off to England for pursuing a Bachelor degree on Creative Imaging, at the University of Huddersfield.
Can you tell us about how you got started? did you always know what you wanted to do?
It feels like indeed I always knew this was the kind of profession I’d like to follow. I was one of those kids who were told they could sketch well; then on later years I started digging more into the field, fell in love with it and went on to study graphic design.
How did you get you first job as a designer?
After returning to Greece, there was a period of uncertainty – seeking for either a further degree (Masters) or an internship.
Due to some unfortunate circumstances neither happened any time soon.
Needing to work immediately, I took the graphic designer position in a hotel booking enterprise, which eventually turned out to be all about web design and coding. Then a long army service followed, and after that I landed a job at a local ad agency, again mainly focused on web. During the off times among the above, I was undertaking works as a freelancer in print media design.
What attracted you to designing entertainment promotional posters?
I guess it happened as a natural outcome of my social activities. The majority of my posters concern events related to music, which I have an avid interest in. Many of the projects I deal with concern features of artists whose work I personally admire and follow. Working around this field has somehow been a preference, since I’m more eager to put effort on a subject I love and enjoy; it’s a motivation.
You have this rich powerful signature style, what or who inspired your work?
Thank you. Truth is there’s plenty of inspiration sources out there, for me it’s not a matter of strictly visual ones. I’d like to think it’s a blend of various things I’ve seen, read or heard.. maybe even encounters with interesting people. If we cut it down to certain artists, there are still too many to list. I’d rather tell you that it’s strongly been the ones who lived and developed their arts in the early 20th century, particularly in the eastern part of Europe.
The first word is Wow! after discovering your art. Have you exhibited your work in Greece or Internationally?
Well thank you again! ~ Working on the poster medium has given me a chance to instantly exhibit my work in its natural habitat, the streets of a city. From another aspect, my first public display of works was a group exhibition with two fellow designers & friends around five years ago, at the Art House bar in Thessaloniki. Then I had around 20 pieces exhibited at the French Institute of Athens back in 2010. My biggest exhibition so far was also my first international one; it took place in Tel Aviv, Israel this past May.
What is your take on the design scene in Greece today?
I believe it’s more vibrant than ever before. Oddly enough, this bitter environment that Greece has become lately, seems to trigger plenty of creative output and that’s very encouraging, at least on a cultural level.
Technology has given individual designers the opportunity to create for themselves like never before, tell us how this has impacted your designs?
It’s no doubt a fascinating tool; not only for how it affects our ways and means of working, but also the platforms it offers for exposing our work. For what I’m concerned, everything that surrounds the execution of a brief is aided by technology. My design process is most of the times digital only. However, we have to keep the right pace and not let it become overwhelming. This world is moving so fast now and unfortunately technology turns out to be improving some parts of our lives at the expense of others.
Do you design other types of advertising campaigns, for example book or album covers?
Of course. I do pretty much everything and anything around traditional print design, occasionally some web stuff too.
What would you advice new designers?
Probably something I try to follow myself: Don’t just get done with it. Always seek for that extra bit that can boost up the quality of our work.
What are your plans for the future?
Less work, more bucks, same passion. Don’t believe anything else they tell you 😉
Thank you very much for the passion and inspiration! We look forward to your next projects!
Enjoy below more works of art, just a small collection of prop4g4nd4’s portfolio.
Awesome work here!
Excellent!!!
you works are amazing 🙂 !!!!