Discover the interview of Michail Kontopyrakis – Studio Soleil:
How did you become designer?
I discovered the potentials and the beauty of graphic design as a profession just after the graduation of my first faculty, that had little to do with creativity and I was quite disappointed!
I have a very deep love for the values that can be expressed through graphic design: the combination of colors, typography and photography, move me deeply. It seemed that my love for freedrawing, literature and expressing ideas, could finally become part of a profession. Since then I am eager to work hard in order to become better in my field!
How would you define your vision of design, your style?
I could describe myself as a designer that in near to what we call folk-modern and pop-modern style. I love some principles of modernism, and I find lot of inspiration in the simple but sophisticated way that the traditional art of many areas in the world is expressing emotions, crucial events, myths and faith. I love shapes because can make design memorable. The designs that I personally admire, have both an attractive part, sometimes decorative, and a dark side as well: A touch of tragedy or a deformed and supernatural element.
For the future, what are your professional projects?
I would like to transform Studio Soleil more to a creative hub than a typical design studio, with people that can work together because of a common pleasure: creativity and love for research.
My personal projects, include a series illustrations based on poems, songs and texts against the war, that is the darkest and more unreasonable side of humanity. I can’t wait to start working on that!
What do you like the most in your job?
Through my job, I learn a lot about other professions as well, something that is really wonderful!
I am trying to learn as deep as I can about each project that I have to accomplish. I still remember amazing conversations with clients: scientists, psychologists, artists or fashion designers.
Another think that I love is that I never felt bored, any client, and any kind of mood and emotion could turn to something inspiring for a new design. My favourite, unforgettable moments, are those when I feel that I exceeded my expectations!