Interview with Gabriel Gareso

Born in Brazil, in 1982, Gabriel Gareso started his career working as a web designer back when he was still studying graphic design. More than five years later, his interest for the moving graphics led him to quit his job and pursue a career as a motion graphics artist. In the following ELATE*-Magazine-interview Gabriel Gareso talks about his inspiration and plans for the future.

ELATE*: Please introduce yourself:

Gabriel Souza: I was born in Brasilia, Brazil, in 1982. Before I decided to pursue a career as a motion graphics artist I worked as a web designer for more than five years. Last year I decided to quit my job and went to New Zealand to focus on my studies and experience another culture. Ten months later I came back to Brazil and started working as a freelance art director and designer. My graphic design background and my work experience as a web designer gave me a good jump start on my new career.

ELATE*: What inspires you?

Gabriel Souza: It can be anything. Usually I just try to leave everything interesting I see floating around inside my head waiting for the right project to come in. I just can’t deny my main source of “interesting things” is the internet. ffffound.com is my home page. Places like TALENTARENA.com, Behance.net and graphic-exchange.com are also great when you want to check other designers works. Then I go showering. Best creative moment for me.

ELATE*: What sort of tools do you use for your art-work?

Gabriel Souza: Pencil, paper, my macbook pro and an old WACOM. Software-wise my main tools are After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator, Cinema 4D and sometimes Flash. On my to-do list there are some projects involving some more traditional/hands-on techniques.

ELATE*: Do you focus on any specific elements/themes/circumstances?

Gabriel Souza: I try not to. As a designer, I like to think of myself as a problem solver and I think defining which elements/themes/circumstances to choose for a specific brief is an important part of the process.

ELATE*: What is your favourite motive?

Gabriel Souza: The next one. I’m attracted to funny/happy motives, but one of my main characteristics is that I always like to work on something completely different every time. I’m yet to decide if this is a good thing or not, because while it tends to keep my work fresh and unpredictable it keeps me from mastering a certain type of style/motive.

ELATE*: What are your plans for the future?

Gabriel Souza: For the next couple of years my plans are to keep working as a freelancer. During that time I’ll evaluate how I am doing and decide if I’ll keep working this way or not. Working as a freelancer has given me the freedom I want. It pays better and gives me some free time to work on personal projects every now and then.

ELATE*: What do you do in your spare time?

Gabriel Souza: I spend time with my girlfriend and friends. I like to go to the movies, play soccer, go out for drinks and go traveling everytime I have the chance to do so.

ELATE*: Besides of motion design, what other jobs did you encounter?

Gabriel Souza: As I used to work as a web designer I still have some website art direction jobs coming in.

ELATE*: Where do you like spending the spare time the most?

Gabriel Souza: Anywhere with my girlfriend.

ELATE*: Your last redundant purchase?

Gabriel Souza: I’m recovering myself from all the expenses I had last year in New Zealand and in a recent travel to NYC. I am rebuilding my savings account… “Buy” is not my favorite verb at the moment