'My Portugal' is our newsletter series celebrating Portuguese culture through conversations with friends of Portugalia Marketplace. This month, we are highlighting Bráulio Amado, graphic designer and illustrator.

Bráulio Amado is a Portuguese graphic designer and illustrator who has lived in New York City since 2010. His portfolio includes work for artists such as Harry Styles, Robyn, Frank Ocean, The Rolling Stones, HAIM, and Lucia Moniz.

Portugalia Marketplace: When did you first realize you wanted to make things visually? Was there a particular person, teacher, or moment in Portugal that pushed you toward this path?

Bráulio Amado: My aunt is a painter, so we had a lot of her paintings on the walls of the apartment I grew up. I think that definitely inspired me to start creating because I could see how much fun my aunt was having — and she would teach me how to do it as well. But I was never a good painter, honestly! Once I got a computer and started playing with it, I felt way more comfortable with creating things. I would do these silly fan-websites for bands I liked. And then other bands asked me to make their websites. And then their record covers. And then it all snowballed into what I do now.

PM: What are the similar threads between design and immigration? How has living in New York impacted your work?

BA: Just being exposed to so much new stuff! Portugal is a small country, so arriving in NYC as a 22-year-old kid was mindblowing. All the art I used to follow over the internet all of a sudden was in front of me. I met so many people with similar interests, and even more people that showed me stuff I never heard of. I think design and immigration both imply some sort of action, movement. Throwing yourself into something new that might be out of your comfort zone, where you have to learn and mix that with your own experiences.

PM: You've worked across posters, record covers, editorial illustration, and now even apparel. How does your creative process begin – with an idea, an image, a feeling? Does your process change much depending on the medium, or is it the same instinct applied differently?

BA: It all starts with understanding the briefing, researching and sketching ideas as loosely as possible to make sure it’s answering whatever I’m being asked to do. I like to get the concept right first and then think about what style or execution will help to communicate the idea. Once I get my hands dirty on execution, sometimes the medium can offer new ideas that I try to follow, but normally I’m focused on making sure the idea is there. If it’s something purely abstract, then it’s way more free and I’m just experimenting and trying things until it feels right.

PM: Portuguese design history is deeply tied to beautiful, classical geometry (azulejos, for example). Was your early style a deliberate rebellion against the traditional design aesthetics you saw around you in Portugal? Is Portugal visually or culturally present in your work now?

BA: Not a rebellion at all, I actually love tiles and I think I use a lot of tiling and repetition in my work maybe because of that. I like to think there’s some Portuguese style in my work. I definitely am inspired by Portuguese art — maybe I’m not intentionally trying to make my work Portuguese but I like to think there’s some Portuguese spirit in what I do.

PM: Are there Portuguese artists, designers, or illustrators – past or current – whose work you keep coming back to?

 

BA: So many! I love Paula Rego. Diogo Potes is still one of my favorite all time graphic designers. I have a tattoo by Mantraste and by Julio Dolbeth on my arm. I’m listening to Maria Reis as I answer this interview.

 

PM: Do you stay connected to the design or art scene back home? Is there anything happening in Portugal right now that excites you?

BA: I still do a lot of artwork for Portuguese bands and friends. And all my family still lives there so I go often and try to keep up with everything that’s happening there. I feel like during summer everything stops a bit because it’s beach time, so not sure I can think of anything 'exciting' happening right now… besides the World Cup. Go Portugal!*

*This interview was given before the Round of 16. Still... Go Portugal! 

I just love the name and the packaging, but it's also really good oil.