The Man in The Hat—Fernando Resende—is an artist with a passion for hand drawing and textures. He gives us some epic advice on how being true to your self can be beneficial to producing genuine work that reflects your personal and professional history. Plus we get an insight into his top five global design crushes and where he thinks the design industry is heading.
Give us the elevator pitch on what you do.
I would say that I am an artist with passion for hand drawing and textures. Looking at my portfolio, it's easy for me to see that my style has been shaped over the years and that I found my true identity somewhere between the ideas of modern design and the retro/vintage visual inspiration.
Over the last few years I have been working with graphic design applied to fashion which proved to be a great upgrade for my work and awakened me to new approaches about dealing with graphic elements and typography.
In a way, my design is a reflection of all the visual culture that I have acquired in the different places I went through since the 90's, all the music I fell in love with, all the images that marked me and all the people that somehow inspired me.
If I look at the work I did ten years ago, I see there's a huge difference compared to what I'm doing now. If I do the same exercise 10 years from now, I will certainly feel the same and that is a good thing. It is a sign of personal and professional growth/change and a proof that my work continues to reflect what I am. That's what really matters...
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
The best piece advice I received as a professional was: “Do not wear the shoes of others and do not try to be what you are not.”
Being true to ourselves is the key to be able to create a genuine work that reflects our personal and professional history.
What are some of the best and worse parts of your job, day-to-day?
Waking up every day to do something that I love and that fulfills me is clearly the most positive aspect. The feeling that I get when I see my work printed, published or on the clothes of someone who crosses me in the street gives me a satisfaction that is hard to explain. It is a creation of mine that somehow achieved the purpose of touching another person.
Of course there are negative aspects in a designer's job. Our work is frequently belittled or underestimated. There are many people who still see us as the guys who make some scratches and play in Photoshop. The work of designer involves many hours of study, research, practice and improvement but unfortunately many people have a hard time respecting what we do.
There will always be a nephew of someone who knows some things about Photoshop and manage something for a lower price. Unfair competition will always be one of our greatest struggles.
Who are your top five design crushes globally right now?
For me, on the top of the list, is clearly Jon Contino. His design is pure gold, really genuine and truly honest and intense.
Then I would say that I love the work of Glenn Wolk ; BMD (Bella Matribus Detestas) Design Studio; Wes Lang.
Do not wear the shoes of others and do not try to be what you are not.
What advice would you give students graduating in 2019?
Just be true to yourself and do not wait for the dream job (which may not even exist) to show up suddenly. Keep researching, learning, working, creating, improving and go after your aspirations (and inspirations) whatever and wherever they might be. Just keep rocking...!
Where do you think design is heading in the next five years and how will you adapt?
I do not think there will be major changes in design techniques in the coming years. The great change in design comes hand in hand with the needs and desires of societies and people. It was always like that and will continue to be ... more and more!
In the short term I think the changes will be based on social concerns. Themes such as equality, politics and the environment changes will be increasingly prominent in the work of designers.
It is important for us to know that we have a big responsibility to understand the changes and use the tools at our disposal to face the problems and fight for a fair and free world where freedom of expression and thought are a reality for all.
Where to find The Man in The Hat online.
Instagram: @themaninthe_hat
