ZUU Hello my name´s Rui Parada and I´m a Graphic Designer and Illustrator based in O´Porto, Portugal. I´ve a Graduation in Communication Design and I´m currently in a master by Barcelona University. I´m a graphic designer, passioned by illustration. One year ago I started my own Characters project called ZUU. My characters are based in animal behaviours and in imaginary friends! The spirit of the cartoons and the BD is present to create a cool environment and relationships between the characters. Each one have his own name, personality and feelings. Sometimes they have strange behaviours...
NWP Who are your main inspirations? / What are your influences?
ZUU Usually my work is very spontaneously. I´ll get inspiration with art, nature, animals, human behaviours, from life in general..
NWP How do you keep motivated and interested?
ZUU Doodling more and more… I just wish that my day has 48 hours …
ZUU In this moment I´m envolving in some good projects. One is a collective exhibition in Lisbon with 6 portuguese doodlers and graffiters. We will do some great stuff, just wait to see…
I´m developing a new urban line of clothes and merchandising to update my web shop.
I´m already in a project to give my characters “real life”, soon more about it….check my website, for fresh news!
NWP What do you know about your country’s design/designers?
ZUU There´s very good talents in Portugal, graphic, interior, architects... We have a lot of good designers and maybe less of opportunities, design is still fighting for his place in Portugal. Some of this bright brains are going to work in other countries...What is not a bad ideia, cause a designer must be, in reality, a person of the world, always searching, learning…
NWP Any words you would like to pass it to new comer designers?
ZUU Open your eyes, look for the difference, believe in yourself and of course…Work, work and work !
NWP What is your most favorite commercial design of our own?
ZUU All my work come from my mind, my ideas are always popping up, some are already concretized, some are still on project…of course I feel warm for ZUU project, but more important than choosing one piece of my work, is knowing that the best is still coming!
NWP Name 8 designers you like it most?
ZUU Fons Schiedon, Motomichi, Jon Burgerman, Dave Kinsey, Nate Williams, Ian Stevenson, Jeremyville, Wayne Horse
NWP Any final comments:
ZUU Let your dreams flow with good work, inspiration is all around you !!!
Check all the artists from the NewWebPick Issue 14 here