Alan de Sousa Silva
Graphic Designer / Brand Designer / UI Designer
São Paulo, Brazil
Q What do you do?
“I’m a multidisciplinary designer based in São Paulo/Brazil. This means that I’m able to work in many fields from digital to graphic, product, branding, editorial, a bit of motion and any other subject that excites me.”
I'm an architecture fan and art lover, so I'm constantly inspired by those fields. If I could I'd definitely develop all projects from scratch until the end (as the modernist artists and architects that designed from pens to cities. A bit megalomaniac? who knows ahaha). My work is mostly typographic-driven, which happens to be my passion from day one studying design. I love to create contemporary and edgy designs, even though my modernist vein is always pulsing.
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
I was born in a poor region in the suburbs of São Paulo, so my path until here was not easy. I got lots of luck and perseverance in reaching a high-quality output. I discovered design after a programming technical course. It was clear that my programming skills were lacking but designing the visuals for the systems and websites flew easiest for me. So I've decided to apply for a Design bachelor which was only possible thanks to a scholarship given by the Brazilian government. From 2012 on I've worked in companies, design studios, and agencies, which gave me a spectrum of skills from the corporate designs to the loosest and experimental. I ran a design studio for about four years. At this time I had the opportunity to not only lead the projects but also manage the clients and all bureaucratic matters. In 2021 I've decided to take another path: I would like to design globally. From that year on I've started working for contractors all over the world, for example, Canva Australia, Heywear in NYC, Evercast in Arizona, and Blindside in Berlin. The world became my oyster and I plan to continue expanding and evolving.
Q How do you stand out in your field?
I seek to be always updated on what's going on in each and every field. I keep trends on my record and study the classics to achieve a timeless creation. My standards are high, so I'm always looking for a way to potentialize the project I'm working on. Usually clients like my work and the kind atmosphere I bring to the work environment. On the daily basis, I tend to dream and fantasize with the ones I'm working with so we all can feel part of the project. Collectively we are stronger.
Q What are you working on right now?
There is this national beauty brand focused on POC skin types that I'm working on. In Brazil, we are still lacking beauty brands that contemplate the variety of skin tones and particularities since we are strongly mixed-race countries. We are still building a lot of the business but the first sprint is completed which was creating the brand platform and first designs. This process led me in weekly sessions to discover define and design the most inclusive beauty brand our country will have. The latest years have been marked by a lot of racial-focused projects, which is a great way for me to use my work in favor of the ones who are socially excluded or potentialize black-owned businesses. This brings me joy and fulfillment.
Q What’s your style?
My style is contemporary, fresh, timeless, and elegant. I tend to incorporate elements of inclusivity since I don't see myself (a mixed-race LGBTQ) nor the spectrum of POC portrayed in the most creative works. I tend to experiment a bit in each and every project in order to extend and expand the possibilities of racial representations. Edgy designs are the ones that I like the most, but I'm very versatile in translating styles. The project that represents a lot of it is this one. It is a branding project for O Uso de Si Mesmo (the use of yourself), a studio for physical practices that understands your body movements and relocates the unnecessary efforts that causes a body dysfunction, such as pain and discomfort while operating certain activities. The challenge here is to portray the idea that body techniques are not reserved only for muscular bodies. All people are welcome to discover their bodies while enhancing their capacity to stand without discomfort. As the slogan says: body practices for all bodies.
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
I'm a big fan of 3D motion. It's a nice style that is composed of typography, 3D shapes, and a smooth animation creating infinite loops. I've started practicing it but I still need more time and experience to improve it. I also appreciate photography not only portraying people but also the still life, creating a scenario where the objects are placed in a beautiful way. Those two skills are on my radar to be explored in-depth soon.
Q What is frustrating you right now?
I confess that at the beginning of my career I was indeed frustrated by how the industry works and how I couldn’t find a space where I could really explore and refine my ideas. Today I've let this feeling go away in order to enjoy the maximum I can offer to a project. I have accepted the idea that when you light up an object it will always project a shadow, so every moment of joy and pleasure will always come with a negative side (the shadow) and I'll have to deal with it in the best way possible.
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
As gastronomy has taught me: mise en place. Prepare all the documentation, research, methodology, and references so that when we meet we can decide the best direction for the project. I also believe that we can collaborate on each other's work, so I can start something and give it to someone else to give their touch or vice versa. This way we can all collaborate and feel like owning the project.
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
You're not too dreamy, there is a place and time to use your repertory. As a designer you're able to create everything, just try it once. Don't push yourself too hard, everything is a construction. Time and effort are your best allies. Ask for help, talk to people, and exchange knowledge. Don't stay at places that undermine you. You have talent, or at least you are building this bright future. Be kind and don't take anything personally. You are still a fantastic person besides all the tough words you will listen to.
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
I would definitely listen carefully and let them freely speak about their passion. When we talk about something we really like we get excited and one thing pulls another one. I would ask them what hacks they use, what shortcuts they know, and of course how the line of thought is built in their minds.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
I'm looking for opportunities that push me even further in my abilities. I have come to a stage where I can develop, manage and design a project from the very beginning until the end of it and my sense is more accurate in delivering a certain project proposal. I wish to be as good as my references, as sharp as the most brilliant minds of design, and I'm sure this comes with a lot of practice and an open-minded collaboration. What if we go even further? What if put out something new into the world? What if we shake the habit and promote the freshest, futuristic, and inclusive thoughts? Let's make something greater than we have ever done.
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
My favorite collaborations are with clients/teams that are really open-minded. They are aware of the power of visual communication, they are not afraid to risk or test ideas. When in a team, I love collaborative work where we can find a way to bring everyone's point of view to the table and discuss what's best for the project. A place where we can discuss our social, ecological, and political impacts, or how can we can balance our impact. Interactions where every person feels heard and visible. Non-violent communication is also a must. A direct but kind verbal and written communication that makes everyone feel safe to discuss and bring their perspectives without feeling judged or oppressed.
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
You can reach me at ola@alanwrks.com with an introductory text about your project. Feel free to use your most comfortable approach, I love when people are comfortable, that makes everything flow easier.
Q Who is a creative you admire?
Elaine Ramos, former Cosac Naify director, current owner of UBU and member of the AGI
instagram @elainerc
Vinicius Teodoro, Design Director at Wieden Kennedy and founder at Dialeto studio
Giulia Fagundes, LAD Young talent (she is an icon, she is a legend and she is the moment)
instagram @giuliafagundes______
Lucas Rampazzo, Julia Masagão, Alles Blau Studio (my all time inspiration)
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
Staying weird and being aesthetic as f**k
This member profile was originally published in June 2022.