Atipo is a small multidisciplinary studio founded in early 2010 by Raúl García del Pomar and Ismael Gonzalez and based in Gijón (Spain). After several years of working for others in branding consultancy, web and graphic designing, they launched their own personal project where they develop amazingly creative works.
Their strong background in fine arts has led them to combine and work in different disciplines like typography, photography, painting, illustrations and videos. Their each work is produced with experimentation and expertise. Our curiosity to know more about the studio and its creators led us to contact them for a small interview. Catch it below:
Their strong background in fine arts has led them to combine and work in different disciplines like typography, photography, painting, illustrations and videos. Their each work is produced with experimentation and expertise. Our curiosity to know more about the studio and its creators led us to contact them for a small interview. Catch it below:
We met each other in Fine Arts in Salamanca University. There we graduated in Graphic Design and Audiovisuals in the year 2000. After working for several years in different studies and different cities, developing graphic design projects, web and branding, in 2009 we decided to create our own studio in Gijón (northern Spain).
Tell us about your studio 'Atipo'. When did you form it? What disciplines does it offer?
The idea emerged in 2009 but until 2010 did not materialize. Starting our own project in a small town amid a global economic crisis was complicated but also seemed like us as a motivational challenge. We started with a business plan, then we reformed our own studio and in the month of March, we started working there. We are a multidisciplinary studio, we work on branding, typography, editorial design, video, illustration, web...
What was the first project by 'Atipo'? How was the experience?
The first projects were collaborations with companies in which we had worked in. Our first direct work was a series of illustrations for "smartick", an online education website. We keep doing projects for them, the last one is an animation, they will use as a corporate presentation.
The first projects were collaborations with companies in which we had worked in. Our first direct work was a series of illustrations for "smartick", an online education website. We keep doing projects for them, the last one is an animation, they will use as a corporate presentation.
I found 'Fontface' the most interesting and innovative project of all. How did you come up with it? What is the idea behind it?
Our idea, in our first year of studies, was to combine real works with self-initiated projects and Fontface is one of them. We really like typography, we think it is the base of design and it has a great communication power. We wanted to make typographical posters, even knowing the fact that there are many very good works in this field, so we knew it was necessary to look for another creative point of view. One day, we saw the work of the photographer Erwin Olaf, particularly the "Paradis porting" portraits series, the idea flashed to us. We believed that make-up as a means and a face like backing could be a typography new expression mode.
We have chosen four typographies from four outstanding designers and we tried to combine the expression of gesture and text, and also make a brief journey through the typography history. Coming from an old style Roman, like Caslon, going through a slab serif, like Clarendon, a grotesque, like Helvetica, to didone, like Carousel. We chose the characters that summarize the main features of each typeface, and most importantly, they operated as a mask on the model's face.
Throughout the summer of 2010, we did four photo shoots. We looked for an almost painterly result, where the imperfections add expressiveness to the proposal. The characters were drawn directly without any technical assistance, taking only reference to a sketch on the laptop screen. All the process necessary for the realization of work, concept, makeup, photography and video, has been carried out by members of the studio.
What are your projects mostly influenced by? Is there any specific target audience you work for?
Our references cover a lot of people, studies and disciplines, it's hard to make a list.
What are your dreams and visions for 'Atipo' as a whole?
Taking Atipo everywhere and to everybody.
Taking Atipo everywhere and to everybody.
What is it that you want to deliver to the world?
Ideas for products and communication which emphasizes on simplicity, sustainability, warmth and wit.
What is the next project by 'Atipo'?
At the moment we are working on the branding for a local company related to food, a website for a decorator and furniture designer, and various personal projects related to typography and video.
Is there any dream project common to both of you?
No, we prefer surprises.
Well, that sums up our short interview with two inspiring artists, Raul and Ismael of Atipo. We look forward to more such creative and wonderful projects by you guys. Thank You so much and All the very best!
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How do I contact Atipo?
You can get in touch with them through their website, http://www.atipo.es/. For more information you can also visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Atipo/157140127665118. Hope this helps. :)