Freelance graphic designer Adrian Ciobanu has been a professional in the industry for over 10 years.
There's a lot of things you can learn in 10 years, but some others you can never forget. For Adrian, one of these is certainly the power and beauty of collaboration, of sharing your own project, of growing together as fellow creatives and professionals.
For this Member Spotlight, we are hearing from a resourceful freelancer who has more than a few tricks and dreams up his sleeve.
How did you get into the industry?
Since high school I started to study art, especially architecture. In college I followed this path and I realised that is what I like. To create a visual identity for different brands constantly motivates me.
I now live in Bucharest, Romania. I have several long-term collaborations with companies from Belgium, Spain and England and the rest of the time I also use freelancing platforms to look for new projects.
If you weren't in your current industry, what would you be doing?
I think I would have done interior design or painting. It's a great way to relax and discover new things.
Can you explain your creative process?
It takes me a long time to do the part with the documentation about the project. Then I put on paper some sketches based on the conclusions I found. Finally I will put them in context and present them.
How has technology affected the way you work?
It helped me a lot to improve my workflow. It makes it easier for me to create. I think that technology is not a bad thing, but sometimes it is good to use traditional art to understand where it all comes from.
What's your secret to staying inspired and motivated?
I look every day on Pinterest and Instagram for inspiration. What kind of trends exist or might follow. I also keep in touch with other graphic designers and when I'm not sure of the options I ask for opinions. Sometimes it's good to have other opinions because often you are caught up in the project, especially working on it a lot.
What's the work achievement you're most proud of?
I have many projects that I am proud of because I managed to find very good solutions. I think that my top branding projects would be for a client from Belgium, on the fitness training side. We already have a 10-year collaboration. Through his project I managed to learn a lot. We grew up together.
How do you recharge away from the office?
I like to cook or do different sports. It relaxes me because I try to have a balanced and healthy lifestyle.
What advice would you give to other aspiring creatives looking for work?
To start working on what projects through and not to think too much about money. Experience on a good project makes more than the money of the moment. Everything comes with time.
What's your one big hope for the future of the creative industries?
I hope that the creative bit of the industry will be more and more promoted and appreciated. And when I say that, I mean I wish for an education and programs that elaborate on the importance of branding for a business.
If you could change one thing about the industry, what would it be?
To help each other more. Many of the graphic designers work on their own and acquire an individual thinking. I think it's ok to share the process and thoughts because by teaching others, we can raise the bar.
