TNC Archive 2020
"You can see my portfolio. From the poster for “Lord of War” to “Léon: The Professional”, you will see that there is a big change in style and composition."
Rafa Orrico
Graphic Designer
rafaorrico.com
Nov 27, 2020
Spanish Version
Rafa Orrico came to Graphic Design when he was 25 and since then he's not looked back. Orrico's work is fresh, engaging and uniquely captures the heart and creative spirit of the subjects he presents.
Hi Rafa, thanks for talking to The New Current, how are you doing in these strange times?
A pleasure talking to you! Well, as you say, these are very strange times! The worst thing I have is not being able to see my family as much as I would like. We live in the same country, but in different cities, and due to the restrictions that the government has put in place to stop the coronavirus, we haven't seen each other for a few months.
Earlier this year he created a series of posters for the #StayHome theme of the PosterJam Challenge, what was behind his poster designs?
PosterJam is dedicated to challenging designers from around the world. It consists in that they propose a word and the designers have to represent it on a poster, in the way they want. During the quarantine (from March to May), they chose the word “Home” due to the world situation in which we found ourselves; most of us were confined to our homes.
In the end, in three of the designs I made, I wanted to synthetically reflect that need to be at home, to keep ourselves, our loved ones and others safe. In all three you can see a rectangle, which represents the home.
For graphic designers, how important are opportunities like PosterJam's Challenge?
Well, the truth is that it is a very good thing. PosterJam challenges help designers practice, learn, and push themselves with every new word they come up with. With each new challenge you try to improve yourself, so the evolution is constant.
Your work has a very unique, fresh and welcoming style, what has been the best comment you have received so far about your work?
Well, to tell the truth, I remember one in particular, which caught my attention. A colleague who also does alternative movie signage said, “Man, you have an amazing conceptual mind!”
I really liked that comment because I always try to work very well on the conceptual part of each design. I spend a lot of time thinking, until I see that this concept can work well and I know how I can apply it.
Can you tell me a bit about your work, how did you get into graphic design?
I got into graphic design when I was 25 (I'm 32 now). Two years before I started the degree in Advertising and Public Relations in Valencia. But I did not like it. I saw it as too theoretical and I was looking for the most creative part. Suddenly, corporate identity contests began to arrive (logo design for companies) and I began to introduce myself to everyone, along with a friend. I enjoyed working on the designs more than in my classes. So I decided to find out what I had to study to work designing logos, hahaha. And so I discovered graphic design and changed my career. I did a four-year Graphic Design degree at the Valencia School of Art and Design (EASD).
Has your style and approach to your poster designs changed a lot since you started?
Of course! You can see my portfolio. From the poster of “lord of War” to that of “Léon: The Professional”, you will see that there is a big change in style and composition. No one is born knowing, knowing only gives you the study and especially the practice. I have had to invest many hours at home to learn, and I still have many more hours left, because in design (graphics, fashion, interiors, products, etc.) you have to be constantly learning and working.
How do you choose the films you are going to create posters for?
Well, I think I have three different ways to choose a movie:
1- Movies that I love. I really enjoy designing posters for my favourite movies.
2- Suddenly an idea about a movie comes to mind. I don't have to be watching her at the time. I just see an image in my head and quickly have to write it down so I don't forget.
3- While I watch a movie, ideas of a possible design come to mind.
What inspires your work?
The style that I love and inspires me is that of Polish and Czech posters from the 20th century. The designers took a lot of risk when it came to representing the film on the posters. Abstract, dark illustrations, different typographic compositions. I love it and I think I've learned a lot from them. Although I have much more to learn.
What was the first movie poster you worked on and do you have a favourite poster you've done?
My first alternative movie poster was for “Lord of War”. It was for a career exercise. In 2014/2015.
I have several posters that I like more than the rest;
- The Queen's Gambit
- Trainspotting
- Inglorious Bastards
- Groundhog Day
- Marriage Story
Have you always had a passion for art?
The truth is, no. I didn't pay attention to art before. It was as a result of entering the world of design that I began to value it.
Are there any movies you have planned posters for in the future?
I have a very long list with movies and their possible designs:
- Back to the Future
- Planet of the Apes
- Ratched
- La La Land
- Les Misérables
- The Greatest Showman
- The Wolf of Wall Street
- The Lord of the Rings
- And many more!
And finally, what do you want people to take away from your work?
I wish people would think I know how to capture the background of movies. That my posters represent them correctly. And above all that you love my work, haha!