@abastosdesign

Instagram: @abastosdesign

1. What’s your story? Where are you from?

I am from the north of Portugal, where I work as a freelancer. My passion for arts is present since I can remember. Music, illustrated books and cartoons had a major impact. So I started drawing, painting and taking piano classes at an early age. Later on, I decided to study graphic design.

2. Tell us about your aesthetic.

I am passionate about minimalism, geometric shapes, solid colours, and I adore playing with bold colours and shadows. And I think that that mirrors on my work.

3. What is your favourite medium and why?

My favourite medium is digital, I am fascinated with vector! I guess this is due to my designer vein. I still work on paper but is usually for initial sketches and ideas. Vector give me the freedom to adapt colours, shapes, sizes at any time, it is a very versatile medium. 

4. What is your artistic process like?

My approach is kind of methodic, my designer vein speaking again! It all starts with an idea or request, then research, brainstorm and trying to figure it out different concepts to convey the idea or message, followed by sketching ideas on paper and finally going digital. Sometimes, however, I can visualize all in my head, and I skip all the steps right into digital drawing.

5. Who and/or what inspires your work? 

I seek inspiration in life, music, books, design, feelings, people, nature... the list goes on and on. 

6. What role does art play in your life? How does it change the way you view the world?

Art is a significant component of my life, it is like a therapy, makes me reflect, provokes amazement and delight. One thing that I absolutely love about illustration is the sense of freedom, of being able to break rules and conventions.

7. Where did you study?

I studied at ESAD, Escola Superior de Artes e Design in Matosinhos - Portugal, where I got my degree in Communication Design.

8. Where do you see yourself in five years?

I see myself doing more editorial illustrations.

9. What about in ten?

Alive and breathing! And, having more time to explore new ideas and styles, while continuing my journey.

10. What do you hope to achieve with your art?

When it's personal work, I do it to achieve that state of flow when the time doesn't matter, release tension and for pure pleasure. When I am working on commissions, I wish to translate the purpose into the illustration gracefully. Either way, I hope that someone will relate to it.

11. Now, tell us a little more about you as a person: what is your favourite food?

Potatoes. Fried, boiled, roasted, potato mash, you name it!

12. Favourite book?

The Eight by Katherine Neville.

13. Favourite genre of music? 

My music taste is pretty eclectic, goes from Electronic, Indie, Classical to Hip Hop music. I have explored so much this world that it's impossible to highlight just one genre! It depends on the mood and intention.

14. What are your hobbies? 

My hobbies are hiking, balcony gardening, reading and Japanese binding.

15. If you weren’t an artist, what would you be?

Probably a landscape designer, writer or an architect. Oh wait, that is still art, right?