Subsign celebrated 11 years of activity and on this occasion we put the spotlight on the people in our team. Next you can read a unique Spotlight interview, in which you can find out more about our subsigners, their passions and small insights about their work.
Jojo.
Subsign: First, can you tell us a few things about yourself?
Jojo: I absolutely love food and cooking, I could wear the same type of clothes every single day for the rest of my life and I enjoy music of different genres. Also, I work as a marketing strategist to pay for all of the previously mentioned hobbies.
Subsign: What does your workstation look like?
Jojo: I like stationeries, but most recently I have downgraded my collection only to a few pens and highlighters (Muji) that help me keep my notebook and notes (Leuchtturm1917) organized.
Subsign: Who do you follow for inspiration?
Jojo: If it comes to food, I follow a big range of insta accounts, but some of my favorites are Julius Roberts, Shaye Elliott, and Ethan Chlebowski.
Work related: Julian Cole, Sweathead.
Subsign: What advice would you give to someone starting out in your field of work?
Jojo: Be patient with yourself, there is a learning curve and whether you like it or not you will go through it.
Subsign: If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
Jojo: To never sleep, not because I want to be productive 24/7, but rather because I would like more time to be able to learn and explore different things.
Subsign: Can you recommend a book, a song and a movie, for our readers?
Jojo: Book: “Educated” – Tara Westover.
Song: “Believe” – Mumford and Sons.
Movie: “Easy A” – my favorite feel good movie.
Bogdan.
Subsign: First, can you tell us a few things about yourself?
Bogdan: Hi, hello, hey! I am Bogdan, I am a millennial that can speak and act like a Gen Zer when needed. At Subsign I daily use my curiosity and puzzle solving skills in the benefits of the organisation from the role of CEO.
Also big plant lover, so if you see a plant in our office it is probably one of my plant babies. 😀
Subsign: What does your workstation look like?
Bogdan: I call this the organised chaos aesthetic.
Subsign: Who do you follow for inspiration?
Bogdan: Franny, because I wish to find her inner peace and relaxation skills.
Subsign: What advice would you give to someone starting out in your field of work?
Bogdan: Become so good at your field that you are undeniable. This is achieved by continuous learning, obviously.
Subsign: If you could have a super power, what would it be?
Bogdan: The power of patience.
Subsign: Can you recommend a book, a song and a movie, for our readers?
Bogdan: Book: “V for Vendetta” by Alan Moore (you just knew it had to be a graphic novel).
Song: “Here’s A Little Something For Ya” by Beastie Boys.
Movie: “Life of Pi”, also the book.
Franny.
Subsign: What does your workstation look like?
Franny: The whole office is my workstation.
Subsign: Who do you follow for inspiration?
Franny: Anybody that has food, especially bananas.
Subsign: What advice would you give to someone starting out in your field of work?
Franny: Make sure they have an endless supply of good treats and do not accept a broken in half treat as an individual treat.
Subsign: If you could have a super power, what would it be?
Franny: To summon all the treats and snacks in the world in my bowl.
Subsign: Can you recommend a book, a song and a movie, for our readers?
Franny: Movie: “The Bluey Movie”.
Book: “Shoe Dog” by Phil Knight (got tricked, had zero dogs in it).
Song: “Who Let The Dogs Out”.
Ionuț Vlad.
Subsign: First, can you tell us a few things about yourself?
Ionuț Vlad: Hi, my name is Vlad, and I’m about 9 HB pencils in height. I’m not as well-known as the Count (Vlad Dracula, haha), but I bet I’ll beat him in graphic design. I really like beautiful things, good food, and creative people. At Subsign, I mostly do web design, but I also handle other design tasks.
Subsign: What does your workstation look like?
Ionuț Vlad: My workstation is quite simple. I don’t like to complicate things. One monitor and a little Mac are enough to get the tasks done.
Subsign: Who do you follow for inspiration?
Ionuț Vlad: Hmm, there are some people and some agencies out there that are solid points of inspiration. I will tell you some here: Chris Do, Pentagram, George Bokhua, Quim Marin.
Subsign: What advice would you give to someone starting out in your field of work?
Ionuț Vlad: Learn, practice, learn, practice, learn, practice.
Like in that Daft Punk song,
Around the world, around the world,
Around the world, around the world,
Around the world, around the world,
Around the world, around the world.
Subsign: If you could have a super power, what would it be?
Ionuț Vlad: To wake up early in the morning.
Subsign: Can you recommend a book, a song and a movie, for our readers?
Ionuț Vlad: Sure. The book is “Design for the real world” by Victor Papanek.
A song: “Vodoo” by Gorgon City.
A movie: “Snatch” by Guy Ritchie.
Teodora.
Subsign: First, can you tell us a few things about yourself?
Teodora: I like to surround myself with beautiful things full of stories. I love books, old movies, Mediterranean food, newspapers and magazines (all things journalism) and I have the personality of a grandmother from Firenze. The thing I’m good at is writing. Also, my name is Teodora and I’m addicted to Instagram. :)) So, I do social media management and copywriting at Subsign, and sometimes write articles for the blog, which means I’ve found the formula that combines my hobbies in a professional way.
Subsign: What does your workstation look like?
Teodora: I’m a maximalist, but at the same time I really like order, and I always try to have only the essentials around me. I also like to write down my tasks on paper and check them off at the end of the day for a daily extra serotonin boost. My monitor background is a vintage image of Capri, because mentally I’m in the 60s eating pasta in the shade of a lemon tree.
Subsign: Who do you follow for inspiration?
Teodora: I mainly follow all the Vogue accounts and read articles on Medium. Also, on the linguistics side, I love Dan Alexe‘s posts and for a bit of humorous inspiration, Viorel Ilișoi‘s. Also, in the copywriting niche, I really like the content of Alex Cattoni at CopyPosse and for visual trends, I follow DEATH TO STOCK.
Subsign: What advice would you give to someone starting out in your field of work?
Teodora: Trust yourself. If you are good at something, focus on that thing and stick to it. If we’re talking about copywriting, make sure you master the grammar and then enjoy writing.
Subsign: If you could have a super power, what would it be?
Teodora: Mind control.
Teodora: Any book by Elena Ferrante, but especially the “The Neapolitan Novels”.
Achille Togliani – “Parlami d’amore Mariù”, which has been living for free in my mind for many years.
“Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”, or any Sophia Loren movie actually.
Alex Plamadă.
Subsign: First, can you tell us a few things about yourself?
Alex: I’m all about seizing opportunities and diving headfirst into the world of business with enthusiasm! They say I bring that special ‘X factor’ to problem-solving, and I’m proud to serve as the Managing Partner of Subsign, where I lead the sales and account management activities.
But hey, life’s not all about work, right? Outside the office, you’ll often find me on exciting adventures, exploring new corners of the globe and connecting with incredible individuals. Whether it’s jetting off to a new destination, revving up my motorcycle for a scenic ride, or engaging in a spirited game of tennis, I’m always seeking out meaningful experiences to enrich my life.
Oh, and did I mention my passion for giving back? I find immense joy in lending a helping hand whenever I can, whether it’s through volunteering or supporting initiatives like abtinut.ro. It’s a non-profit project close to my heart, dedicated to spreading the word about the therapeutic benefits of writing letters, expressing your thoughts and overall well-being.
So, if you ever want to chat about business strategies, swap travel stories, or simply share a laugh over a cup of coffee, count me in!
Subsign: What does your workstation look like?
Alex: My workstation is everywhere.
Subsign: Who do you follow for inspiration?
Alex: moneymag, Bending Spoons, foundr, NOS PRAESENTI, Adoratorio® Studio, Business Insider, “Vast&Curious Podcast”.
Subsign: What advice would you give to someone starting out in your field of work?
Alex: When diving into the world of business, it’s all about keeping an open mind and seeing the bigger picture. Embrace the journey of continuous learning – it’s what keeps things exciting and helps you grow! Remember to bounce back from setbacks with resilience, and don’t forget to set those goals and keep yourself organised along the way.
Oh, and speaking of the journey, don’t be afraid to stumble now and then – that’s how we learn! Take those mistakes in stride and use them as stepping stones toward success. Having the right mentors by your side from the get-go can make all the difference.
So, keep that positive attitude shining, stay open to new experiences, and don’t forget to enjoy the ride!
Subsign: If you could have a super power, what would it be?
Alex: Mind-reading.
Subsign: Can you recommend a book, a song and a movie, for our readers?
Alex: Book: “The Old Man and the Sea” by Ernest Hemingway.
Song: “Quel motivetto…” by Nicola Arigliano.
Movie: “The Reader”.
Dana.
Subsign: First, can you tell us a few things about yourself?
Dana: Hello, I’m Daniela, but most people just call me Mother Dana, as that’s typically how I interact with everyone around me. This approach influences how I work – I observe, anticipate, and fulfil needs, even ones you might not be aware of. Everything I do is infused with care, compassion, and a gentle touch. I’m a mother to an amazing 8-year-old girl, a wife, an entrepreneur, and a lover of coffee, food, wine, and gin & tonic – anything sensory really. I have a particular fondness for art, especially Renaissance art. I used to reside in London until love led me back to Romania; no regrets, but I do miss the city often. Additionally, I handle project management for all projects at Subsign. 🙂
Subsign: What does your workstation look like?
Dana: I pride myself on being highly organised, so everything at my workstation has its place. You’ll always find a water bottle, a coffee mug, and a teacup, along with my agenda and trusty pen.
Subsign: Who do you follow for inspiration?
Dana: Nature is my ultimate muse. I love observing its ever-changing, interconnected beauty. I’m an avid reader, absorbing knowledge from various sources and forming my own ideas. People around me inspire me greatly. I’m constantly listening, asking questions, and observing – they provide my greatest inspiration.
Subsign: What advice would you give to someone starting out in your field of work?
Dana: Be a keen listener, observe everything around you, and strive to make connections.
Subsign: If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
Dana: I’d love the ability to time travel.
Subsign: Can you recommend a book, a song, and a movie for our readers?
Dana: Hmm, I tend to consume media based on my current needs, so it’s hard to recommend just one.
Mădă.
Subsign: First, can you tell us a few things about yourself?
Mădă: I love spending time in nature, sipping my coffee somewhere in the woods, planting tomatoes and flowers, and sharing love with animals, especially with my dogs. Recently, I’ve developed a passion for small porcelain pieces with stories. I’m also one of the Social Media Managers at Subsign.
Subsign: What does your workstation look like?
Mădă: I love order. But surely on my desk you’ll always find a coffee mug, a bag of pretzels, and my collection of Kinder surprises toys.
Subsign: Who do you follow for inspiration?
Mădă: I wander my mind and heart through accounts that speak to me about cooking, travelling, porcelains, and the Romanian countryside. I forgot to mention that I also have a passion for the story of the Romanian village and country life.
GRETA, Philocaly, PhotoTour in Romania, Anca Dușe, Mihaela Sava.
Subsign: What advice would you give to someone starting out in your field of work?
Mădă: At first glance, it seems easy, but it requires patience, continuous learning, and testing.
Subsign: If you could have a super power, what would it be?
Mădă: Hmm, I wish I had different superpowers. One of them would be to stop time.
Subsign: Can you recommend a book, a song and a movie, for our readers?
Mădă:Book: “The Book Thief”.
Song: “Wonderful Life” by Katie Melua.
Movie: “The Nun”.
Rareș.
Subsign: First, can you tell us a few things about yourself?
Rareș: I’m Rares and I’m a WordPress developer. I do all kinds of things really, but mainly design implementation. I’m in love with all sorts of games and I don’t know for sure that my wife likes that, but the ability to travel to so many different worlds feeeeds my brain.
Subsign: What does your workstation look like?
Rareș: I usually like for it to be minimalistic, so you’ll find only my mouse, keyboard and car keys.
Subsign: Who do you follow for inspiration?
Rareș: Social media is kind of dead for me as I am for it, so at the current time, my inspiration comes from movies, books and games.
Subsign: What advice would you give to someone starting out in your field of work?
Rareș: Don’t do it. The robots will kill us (kidding). Just try (not learn) as many things as possible until you find something you really love to do.
Subsign: If you could have a super power, what would it be?
Rareș: Easely time travel, cuz if you can control time, you can undo any bad grades from back in school.
Subsign: Can you recommend a book, a song and a movie, for our readers?
Rareș: I’m an adept of throwing evil rings in lava or fighting dementors so, of course I recommend “LOTR” and “HP” in any form possible (except The rings of power series :D).
I’m an adept of throwing evil rings in lava or fighting dementors so, of course I recommend “Funky Shit” by The Prodigy, “Liberate” by Disturb and even a 3 hour set from Solomun.
Ioana.
Subsign: First, can you tell us a few things about yourself?
Ioana: When I am not dreaming of the warmth of summer or the soft feeling of sand between my toes, I put all my energy into my work as a graphic designer because I can call myself one of those lucky ducks for finding a place where I can express myself.
Subsign: What does your workstation look like?
Ioana: If I could describe in a few words my workstation it would be that it comes in handy. For the soul and for the body. Pictures of loved ones and trinkets that remind me of the sea for the ease of my mind and a lot of types of hydration methods to help me push through. Juice, coffee, water and vitamins.
Subsign: Who do you follow for inspiration?
Ioana: I usually don’t follow someone specific as much as I search for a specific type of work. I am a sucker for everything colorful that makes my eyes and heart go “Ahhhh, Noice!”
Subsign: What advice would you give to someone starting out in your field of work?
Ioana: My advice would be to have patience and trust themself and their work more. For it to work out you need to believe in the process, with all of the good and bad stuff. Even bad feedback can be a lesson to learn. It’s just the point of view.
Subsign: If you could have a super power, what would it be?
Ioana: To make everybody happier and myself included when things don’t go right. And also teleporting. Sometimes a good swim could solve millions of problems.
Subsign: Can you recommend a book, a song and a movie, for our readers?
Ioana: I would recommend –
Book: “The subtle art of not giving a F*ck”.
Song: “Don’t Look Back In Anger”, Oasis.
And a mini series called “The Durrells”.
Dimi.
Subsign: First, can you tell us a few things about yourself?
Dimi: I am the COO at Subsign, I deal with all sorts of administrative situations, whether it is about human resources, clients or financial prospecting. Using non fancy words, I am the guy whose job is not to let the brown stuff hit the fan. On a personal level, well, there is nothing much I can say about myself, I like a good conversation, can’t go through a day without a joke and I love cars. I would let other people say more.
Subsign: What does your workstation look like?
Dimi: Quite messy, almost all the time, to put into a friendly light, it is diverse and colorful :).
Subsign: Who do you follow for inspiration?
Dimi: Professionally, I respect anybody who has done something remarkable in their field of activity, and honestly, I am lucky enough to be part of a team that makes me look up to them rather often.
In my day to day life, I look up to kids, for the ability to instinctively wanting everything to be good and everybody to smile.
Subsign: What advice would you give to someone starting out in your field of work?
Dimi: Brace yourself for sleepless nights and friendly fights. This “chocolate” ain’t as easy as it looks, but that’s what makes it fun. 😉
If we are talking about my profession, well, there is no starting out really, it’s more of a case of “the job chose you” and less “you wanted the job” because there will always be a need for problem solving and somebody who is good at it. Trust me, do-ers make mistakes. I can think of 4 principles/actions: be humble, be a learner (u never know enough), be fair and surround yourself with good people.
On a personal level, well, this is way simpler: sleep (keeps your brain sharp), love (your family and friends, pets included), have a passion (collect stickers, watch movies, go to the theatre, spend your life savings on cars :))), etc.), do sports at least once a week (great reason for enjoying a pint of beer with some friends afterwards 🙂 ).
Subsign: If you could have a super power, what would it be?
Dimi: Writing digitally using my mind and, probably, I would enjoy having a darth vader voice in the morning.
Subsign: Can you recommend a book, a song and a movie, for our readers?
Dimi: Sooooo many books, I would say “Ten Patterns That Explain the Universe” By Brian Clegg, but, in order to keep it trendy, I will say “Greenlights” by Matthew McConaughey. Judge me, but I find Mr. Matthew M is one of those worth looking up to.
Well, a song is not going to be so easy to pick … .in memory of two of the greatest people that modern-contemporary art has seen, who unfortunately are no longer with us, “Chi Mai” by Ennio Morricone, the theme song of the movie “Le Professionnel” with Jean-Paul Belmondo.
The movie I wouldn’t stop living in is “La dolce vita” by Frederico Fellini, but the movie that I consider so relevant nowadays, still, has to be “…And Justice for All”, directed by Norman Jewison (with Al Pacino), which is a true, sad story about the inner human condition, told in a beautiful cinematic way.
Larisa.
Subsign: First, can you tell us a few things about yourself?
Larisa: Always curious and ever-changing, I love exploring life and learning new things. I can never sit still, really. If you’re looking for me, you’ll find me either reading, doing yoga, biking around the city, volunteering somewhere, working on a new project or struggling to learn Brazilian Portuguese so I can pretend to have become a polyglot at last. That, or just chilling at home alone or with friends. I’m crazy passionate about the human mind and behavior, with a never-ending interest in all things psyche and eastern spirituality. As for what I do at Subsign, I make nice stuff that works. In other words, I do graphic design.
Subsign: What does your workstation look like?
Larisa: For some reason I’ve never been into decorating my spaces. I don’t have much, really. A weird kinder figurine (still not sure what it is), some cable and a coaster. One thing I can guarantee you’ll always find though is my thermos. It’s the law.
Subsign: Who do you follow for inspiration?
Larisa: If it’s in general, there’s just too many people where I draw inspiration from. If we’re talking design, then there’s a few: Chris Do (of course), Abi Connick, Kamila, Viviana Caponnetto.
Subsign: What advice would you give to someone starting out in your field of work?
Larisa: Make sure you love what you’re doing. Be open to learn and draw inspiration from others more skilled than you. Don’t take feedback personally, it’s not. Understand that you’ll not know A LOT of things and sometimes the only way to learn is through trial and error. You don’t know what you don’t know. Use grids! Systemic thinking is more essential than you might think at first glance. Also, your work may suck a bit in the beginning, but keep pushing and learning and you’ll end up with some really nice stuff. Have patience. 😀
Subsign: If you could have a super power, what would it be?
Larisa: The cheap travel that comes with teleportation is just unbeatable lol. Maybe also time and interdimensional teleportation besides the space one?
Subsign: Can you recommend a book, a song and a movie, for our readers?
Larisa: I would recommend:
Book: Many books and years later, “Flowers for Algernon” by Daniel Keyes still remains one of my favorites.
Song: Hard to pick, but lately I’ve been vibing to “Stay In My Lane” by S.I.A.T. Stuck in a Tree.
Movie: I’m not big on movies to be honest. I can recommend a Netflix special that I think is worth the watch though: “Inside” by Bo Burnham.
Alex Mihai.
Subsign: First, can you tell us a few things about yourself?
Alex Mihai: Hey there! I’m Alex Mihai,, a WordPress developer with a passion for building beautiful and functional websites. At Subsign, I wear many hats. I work on creating custom WordPress themes and plugins to fit our clients’ unique needs. I also maintain and update existing websites, ensuring they run smoothly and securely.
Subsign: What does your workstation look like?
Alex Mihai: My workstation is my sanctuary! It’s a place where creativity meets functionality. I have a 3-monitor setup for maximum coding efficiency, a comfy ergonomic chair to keep my back happy during long coding sessions, and a standing desk converter for those times when I need a change of pace.
Subsign: Who do you follow for inspiration?
Alex Mihai: I find inspiration all over the place! I follow talented WordPress developers on platforms like Twitter and GitHub, where they share their latest projects and insights. I also love to browse sites like Awwwards and CSS Design Awards to see the cutting edge of web design.
Subsign: What advice would you give to someone starting out in your field of work?
Alex Mihai: If you’re starting in WordPress development, here’s my advice:
1. Learn the Fundamentals: Get a solid grasp of HTML, CSS, PHP, and JavaScript. These are the building blocks of WordPress.
2. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions: The WordPress community is incredibly helpful. There are forums and groups where you can get help from experienced developers.
Subsign: If you could have a super power, what would it be?
Alex Mihai: If I could have a superpower, it would be the ability to instantly debug any code! No more head-scratching and endless troubleshooting sessions.
Subsign: Can you recommend a book, a song and a movie, for our readers?
Alex Mihai: Book: “Eloquent JavaScript” by Marijn Haverbeke – A fantastic book for learning the fundamentals of JavaScript.
Alex Mihai: Song: “Code Monkey” by Jonathan Coulton – A fun and catchy song that captures the essence of developer life.
Alex Mihai: Movie: “The Social Network” – Though it takes some liberties, it gives a glimpse into the world of tech startups and the drive to create something new.
Thanks to our subsigners!
We hope you enjoyed reading this Spotlight with our subsigners. But don’t worry, starting next month we’ll be back with interviews with our favorite artists, as usual.
Until then, if you know an artist that should be in the spotlight, contact us at teodora@subsign.co.
