We chat with Graphic Designer Tomás Gouveia about his transition from study to full-time work; attention to detail, and how he likes to approach any project with minimal but detailed designs; plus he dishes out a bit of a pep talk for those graduating this year.
Where did you study and what were some of your first jobs?
I studied Communication Design at Faculdade de Belas-Artes, Universidade de Lisboa (College of Fine Arts, University of Lisbon). I started freelancing while in college — developing logos and publications — but I was still trying to figure out how everything worked. After graduating from Belas-Artes, I designed some books for their research center, which then led to an invitation to work full time as a graphic designer at their communication office.
Give us the elevator pitch on what you do.
I am a graphic designer focused on editorial design and brand identity. My experience has been within the cultural and artistic field — from institutions to individual clients — designing identities and publications for events and exhibitions. Visually, I like to approach any project with minimal but detailed designs, creating objects that speak for themselves through color and typography, simply focused on the message that we want to communicate.
Who are your top five design crushes globally right now?
What's the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Always pay attention to details. That was the best advice I've ever received, that details do matter. People tend to overlook them and sometimes it is easy to go beyond those little details that make a design piece — whatever the medium — great. How was this done? And more importantly, why was it done like this? The details are there for us if we look carefully. I think this has to be the best advice I’ve ever received because it really influenced my work.
Always pay attention to details. That was the best advice I've ever received, that details do matter.
What advice would you give students graduating in 2019?
I could give the same advice from the previous question, but I'd be repeating myself. So, I'd say to find what works for you. The world is full of great professionals, whether it is in art or design, so you have to be very persuasive and find your place in a very fast-forward, competitive scene. It is very chaotic, but at the same time, it makes you want to do more and more. Find what makes you happy and work out the best for you, because if you are happy and motivated about what you do, the rest will come along.
2019 for you in a sentence.
The preface of a blank book!
Where to find Tomás Gouveia online.
Website: tomasgouveia.com
Instagram: @tomasgouveia
