Subsign: First, can you tell us a few things about yourself?
Leo: I’m a Brazilian designer and illustrator with a lifelong love for bringing ideas to life through artistry and creativity. My journey into the world of design began in childhood, where I discovered the joy of putting my imagination on paper.
I hold a degree in graphic design, and now I’m spreading my creative wings as a freelancer, serving clients from all around the globe. Currently, I call the vibrant city of Porto Alegre in the beautiful south of Brazil my home, where I’ve found the perfect balance between my work and my fulfilling personal life.
Subsign: What was your childhood like? Do you think your childhood experiences have influenced your present creative endeavors?
Leo: My childhood was filled with fun and imagination. I really liked drawing by hand, making comics and playing football. Anime was my favorite style! I really liked creating my own characters. I didn’t have friends, so most of my time was playing with my younger brother and also drawing. Yes, those experiences definitely influenced my creativity today. They taught me to think outside the box and embrace my imagination, which I still use in my creative work now.
Subsign: What was your childhood like? Do you think your childhood experiences have influenced your present creative endeavors?
Leo: I’ve always harbored a deep-seated passion for the world of art and creativity. Drawing has been a constant in my life, and my fascination with all things artistic led me to believe that there was no other path for me. I really had no other options. I was determined that I would work with art. As a teenager, I stumbled upon the design, and it was love at first sight. This influenced my choice on the University.
Subsign: What does your workstation look like?
Leo: My workstation is minimalist. I have:
– Monitor: x2 Dell 4k. One for work and the other for playing the game Fortnite (240hz);
– Audio: Airpods Max and Airpods;
– Mouse: Logitech MX Vertical for work, and mouse G Pro for gaming;
– Keyboard: Apple Keyboard;
– Drawing: Ipad Pro and Wacon Intuos;
– Table: Geniodesks Pro (elevation);
– Chair: Herman Miller x Logitech G Embody;
– Computer: Windows. Case NZXT H7 Flow, Lian Li water cooler, 64gb ram, 2tb Nvme, i9 13th Generation;
– Graphic cards: Nvidia RTX 3090ti.
Subsign: Do you have a work style? How would you describe it?
Leo: I don’t think I have a defined style. I’m always looking for new inspiration and this changes my work. I do a lot of 2D and 3D illustration, and the style changes a lot because I always try to adapt the visual design to what my clients are looking for.
Subsign: Can you share with us how your creative process works?
Leo: My creative process involves a few steps. I start by first interpreting the brief and understanding the clients’ needs. I explain to him my process, approval steps, workflow and deadlines. After this is defined, starting with the project I look for references to inspire me to create the first prototypes. This involves a few rounds of brainstorming and ideas until the best solutions are found. If the project is in 2D, I finish it in color. But if the project is in 3D, this involves some additional steps such as modeling, texturing, rigging/or animation.
Subsign: What is your favorite work you have done so far?
Leo: I have a lot of projects that I love, and it’s hard to choose just 1. I love the recent illustrations I did for Apple and Instagram, for example. But I would say that the 3D illustrations I made for Google are my favorite. I collaborated with Google, creating a set of 12 illustrations/wallpapers and 12 animations for ChromeOS system. The collection is called “Imaginary”. It was a big challenging project, with many design steps and approvals. The wallpapers are available to everyone who owns Chromebooks, globally.
Subsign: Who do you follow for inspiration?
Leo: I look for inspiration on websites like Behance and Dribble. I’m very active in these communities and I’m always discovering new trends there. I’m looking for fashion, illustration, product design, among other categories. I am currently the Brazilian with the most followers on Behance and Dribbble. Both communities are really good, you always get inspired going into these galleries.
Subsign: What advice would you give to someone starting out in the creative field of work?
Leo: My advice to someone starting out in the creative field would be to embrace your passion fully. Immerse yourself in your chosen creative outlet, whether it’s art, design, writing, or any other form. Don’t fear mistakes; they’re stepping stones to improvement. Collaborate with fellow creatives to expand your horizons, and always stay true to your unique voice and vision. Study hard and practice!
Subsign: If you could have a super power, what would it be?
Leo: If I could possess a superpower, I’d choose the power of “Design Telepathy.” This ability would enable me to understand a client’s vision and requirements with absolute clarity, even if they struggle to articulate it themselves. I’d instantly grasp their aesthetic preferences, goals, and expectations, allowing me to create designs that perfectly align with their desires. This superpower would foster seamless communication!
Subsign: Can you recommend a book, a song and a movie, for our readers?
Leo: Of course! Based on my opinion:
The book I would like to recommend is by the fantastic Dieter Rams: “Ten Principles for Good Design”.
A song I really like listening to while working is “Dammit”, by Blink-182. I love the Californian pop punk musical style!
Regarding the movie, I recommend “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”. The animation in this movie is insane!
Subsign: If you could throw any kind of party, what would it be like and what special occasion would you choose?
Leo: I’m someone who isn’t typically a fan of parties, haha! However, if I had to throw a party, I’d choose to celebrate my 10-year journey as a professional designer and artist with a vibrant and lively art exhibition party.
Subsign: What famous people would you invite to the party and why?
Leo: I would invite artists who have inspired and inspire me during my journey, such as: Peter Tarka (3d artist), Gabriel Bá (Comic Book artist), Donald Mustard (Creative Director Fortnite), Tite Kubo (Manga artist), Alberto Mielgo (animation director). Just to name a few!
Thank you, Leo, for being a part of our Spotlight!
If you know an artist that should be in the spotlight, contact us at teodora@subsign.co.
For more of Leo‘s work, you can follow his work on the links: Leo on Instagram, Leo on Dribble, Leo on Behance.
