We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Catarina Jordão ("CJ").
Catarina Jordão is a Portuguese and young graphic designer based in Barcelona. Graduated in Multimedia design in Portugal she decided to explore the graphic world and move to Barcelona to do a Master on Communication and Editorial Design at ELISAVA. As a part of a new generation of designers she describes her design has "beautifully simple but always based on a great concept". Her approach specially on Identity and Editorial Design is driven by strong ideas and the desire to create unique work.
Catarina Jordão Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Catarina Jordão.
Designer Interview of Catarina Jordão:
DI: Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
CJ : When I was 6 years old I had painting classes. This classes had a huge influence on me but I had no idea what I wanted to do for living until I was 20. Although I always knew that I wanted to do something creative, part of my family was against my choice of pursuing an art related career and my adolescence was a journey to find what I wanted to do and who I wanted to be. I had to convince my family and make them accept my choices. I graduated in Portugal in 2011 on Multimedia Design, but I knew that it wasn't quite what I wanted and in 2012 I moved to Barcelona where I studied a Master on communication and editorial design. From that point I knew that that was what I wanted to do and I have been working as a graphic designer in Barcelona ever since.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
CJ : I am specialized in Editorial and graphic design. My approach is driven by strong ideas and the desire to create unique work.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
CJ : I truly love editorial. I really like to think of new ways of recreating books and magazines. How to turn paper into a fun an interesting way of applying reading content and to destroy the "dull" idea of reading a book.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
CJ : Not sure about this question. My favorite design among my work? or among other people's works?
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
CJ : I think it was a vinyl drawing to decorate a wall at an office. It was quite fun. Probably someone's working beside it right now.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
CJ : My favorite material is paper. Nowadays internet, e-books and computers are on everyones life's but for me the paper generation it's not dead. We just have to make this projects special and reinvent paper. For me designing it's not only seeing it's also touching and smelling and that's a feeling that we are losing on design lately.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
CJ : When I am relaxed. After I workout, after visiting a bookshop or when I'm having a cup of tea. Ideas come to me naturally forcing myself to have them never works.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
CJ : When I am designing something I always focus on the idea, the concept. For me it's the crucial point and I often think if I wasn't designing it would I like it or would I buy it. I always try to design something that I would feel proud of and I could relate to.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
CJ : Depends on the project. But I like to have fun with my projects when I do so I am excited, inspired, amused and happy. Unfortunately there is no such thing as a project without stress.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
CJ : I often feel the sin of pride. : ) I also feel happy that I have achieved the goal of transforming something in my head to something physical and that everyone can enjoy it.
DI: What makes a design successful?
CJ : If it works and how special it is.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
CJ : Always the idea, the concept. You can disagree about the esthetic part of a project but if the design works, the concept it's well achieved and communicates what it is supposed to say it is a good design.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
CJ : For me the term "designer" it's the synonym of a creative citizen. Therefore it's the designer responsibility to imagine a better world and society and to improve it with our ideas. Designing it's a great way to communicate and to educate.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
CJ : I think is evolving in a good way. People and clients are more aware of the importance of design and how it can produce a good impact.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
CJ : My inspiration often comes a long when I think on how would I enjoy the design if I was the customer. I often think on what would make me like this project and I usually like to do something with humor or with something different.
DI: How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
CJ : I like to make things that are unique, I like to have new approaches of things.
DI: Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
CJ : I'm Portuguese but I currently live in Barcelona.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
CJ : Attention to details. Details are what make things special and have the power to transform something ordinary into something unique.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
CJ : Capacity to listen and to communicate. Being creative but with a twist. Love and respect for what you do.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
CJ : I usually develop my designs by myself. But I also like to work on teams.
DI: How can people contact you?
CJ : People can contact me through my email: ana.catarina.jordao@gmail.com or my behance: catarinajordao