Antonio Tepic

Specialized in Design.

Antonio Tepic

About Antonio Tepic

  • Winner of the A' Design Award.
  • Specialized in Design.
  • Original Design.
  • Creative, Diligent and Innovative.
  • All Designs

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Interview with Antonio Tepic

Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
Studied at the Faculty of Graphic Arts at the University of Zagreb, in the direction of design of graphic products, then I was interested in design and prepress more than for printing.
Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
Inkubator ideja is an award winning creative studio for visual communication, specialising in branding & identities. We also offer other brand-related services such as advertising, packaging, marketing material.
What is "design" for you?
Design covers many areas, if we talk about graphic design, it's a visual communication, a creative way of transmitting information, emotions, raising awareness, stimulating thinking.
What kinds of works do you like designing most?
Depends on the client's requirements, about the product/services they provide and the target group, is not the same working for large companies and/or small crafts. Mostly enjoy the realization of a good idea, sometimes it is a logo and sometimes an ad, a business card, a poster.
What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
Find it difficult to single out just one work, but if I have to, that would be an Ada-pack business card that has been multiplied awarded.
What was the first thing you designed for a company?
A brochure and a stand up banner for an IT company that was presented and participated in the conference.
What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
Web design and multimedia provide a lot of features and information, but somehow I more prefer printing, feeling of the texture of paper under the fingers, smell of paint, special printing and finishing techniques.
When do you feel the most creative?
When it's a nice sunny day :) I like to have time to designing. But some works I did much better under the pressure of deadlines.
Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
By the message which sending to the audience, if the design is in accordance with the needs to be met. Is it informative, professional, entertaining, attractive?
When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
Is it the design an appropriate to product / service that it offers, promotes?
From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
Encourage them to think and act, without forcing their opinion, but rather guide them to that.
How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
Interaction, definitely, because they can provide a new user experience.
When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
A few years ago I participated in group exhibitions with some of my works. I did not think about future exhibitions, I have to admit that you've caught me with a question.
Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
It no have rules, inspiration can come from anywhere, movies, books, works by other designers / artists, exhibitions.
Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
Zagreb, Croatia, EU. I do not think the place of living affects my design, maybe someone from the side could better evaluate that.
What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
The first step is to review the portfolio and the second is to understand the design process. Also the designer you are interested in, needs to be actively listening, better understand the needs of the client and, accordingly, offer the best solution.
Can you talk a little about your design process?
Design process phases are researching, sketching, elaborating, implementing and realizing.
What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
A computer which I use for work, sound system, smartphone, favourite pencil, planner.
Can you describe a day in your life?
When I work on a project, my day is marked by thinking and creating, with pauses (for lunch, dinner).
Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
Try to be original in your working, find a new solution to the problem, constantly educate yourself and work on, how to become a better person and the designer too.
From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
Design can be the best job in the world, but there are hard moments when I work with some people which don't know what they want, they don't understand what design is, and what is the purpose of it.
Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
The software I use is an Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Brackets and hardware which I use is Apple iMac.
Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
When I have time, first I think and then I work, when there is no time, then it is a combination of thinking and working.
How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
No rules, sometimes takes several hours, sometimes a few days, mostly depends on ideas and inspiration.
What was your most important job experience?
More time to spend on design / project explanation than leave client to the guessing.
Who are some of your clients?
My clients are diverse, from large international companies to small local business, but all of them are connected with wish to have a beautiful design pieces.
What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
When the client has no objection and he accepts with enthusiasm the solution offered. This is the best proof of a good job.
What are your future plans? What is next for you?
Extend services on the web and app design and creation. Till now I do this in cooperation with others, but have plans to become as independent as possible.
Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
Develop design by myself in most cases, but I also cooperated with other designers in the process of creation.
Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
I don't like talking about work-in-progress projects, because I don't know how they would look when I finish.
How can people contact you?
The best way is to fill out contact forms on a website or send an email.
Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
Feel free to contact us, we look forward to future successful cooperation.

Designer of the Day Interview with Antonio Tepic

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
Over 20 years, working in various fields of visual communication. During my career, worked for diverse brands from different industries on various projects. To mention a few international, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi electric, Nivea, Rockwool, Elle decor, and some local as Zvečevo, Fina (Croatian financial agency), Kraš, OMW, RBA leasing.
How did you become a designer?
During my study on Graphic Faculty (University of Zagreb), design of graphics product course, found a first job in the small graphic studio. For beginning, worked as a DTP operator on photo retouching and tone correction and also prepress newspaper for publishing. On that way, I came in contact with some great ads, which placed in the newspaper. That was a trigger for me, then I decide to develop myself as a designer in visual communication.
What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
That mostly depends on project which I am working on, definitely is most important which message is to be delivered. If I work on the new project, then is necessary to pay special attention to choosing the right colors and typography for product/service, because they are an important part of communication and making an impression. Like to sketching when I look for ideas (and developed it), many times I started with one idea and then finished with something totally different from the initial idea.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
I feel excited and happy about new projects, new challenges, new problems to solve. And on the end of the project, fulfillment pervades me.
What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?
Non-design skills which help me in designing are: researching (to better understand brand), planning (creating strategy), communicate (maybe most important), illustrate (used for showing ideas) and last but no least, technical capability to realize the project.
What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?
Growth path for my design business will be front-end development, how could to have more control in the building process (the details make up the whole). In accordance with that, the future plan for me, is improving as a visual designer. That means spreading my knowledge and technical skills in web/mobile development.
What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
Work, work and more work. Work is the best way to gain experience, don't be afraid to be creative, always trying to find better idea or point of view. Maybe your ideas will not be appreciated in the beginning, but with experience comes wisdom and better understanding needs.
You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?
Be prepared for investment a lot of time to learn and perfecting, that will not come overnight, but with consistency you can make a big thing. Persistence is most important in achieving goals, so why should be different in the design business?
What is your day to day look like?
Good mood is important to my everyday job, so during working hours I like to listen music, read the new blog posts or look for inspiration on the internet. Also, taking breaks and resting a brain is crucial to preserve ideal working temperature. Every four hours I take a break and make a move away from the project, to better see the bigger picture.
How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?
Sticking with my own design style, rather spend the time to develop a timeless design following design principles, than blindly follows trends. I can find my inspiration anywhere, depends on the moment.
How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?
Watching whether the design fulfills the purpose, whether visual and textually presenting the right information. It's not enough that the design is just nice, it must be functional first of all.
How do you decide if your design is ready?
When I accomplish the set goals, with choosing a colors, typography, photo. In accordance with the message we want to convey for a particular product or service.
What is your biggest design work?
Every project I work on is special to me, in some way, but if I have to choose the one, that would be a business card Ada-pack, which is awarded a few times. This project is special because of the using the different materials and printing techniques, Ada-pack business card promotes communication and open interest for service which offer. the inspiration for the design I found in gift wrapping services, which is promoted by direct communication material. Currently working on my own website, I am excited because I developing and acquiring a new knowledge and skills at the same time, so I can offer to my other or new clients new services.
Who is your favourite designer?
I would love to have a chance to talk with Herb Lubalin, I think he has left a great influence on design with his ideas and works, which is easy to love at a glance.
Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?
Yes, music is an important part of making a working atmosphere for me, but they should be enjoyable and unobtrusive. More influence on me have a others design, than the place where I live (Zagreb, Croatia,EU), but this is my personal thought. If we talk about visual communications, it is an important aspect of transmitting certain messages, with which we want to draw public attention to a particular problem, to encourage them to interact and resolve the same.
Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?
On most projects I worked alone, but also I am cooperating with different designers or/and illustrators on complex or bigger project. When I look for a partner or an associate, is important to me to find a person who will be responsible, professional, dedicated to the job. I like a relaxed atmosphere, but understand that isn't always possible. Openness and willingness to listen (accept) others' opinions is characteristic of a good designer.
What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?
Yes, I work pro bono when I have enough time and when I can help in achieving goals. Worked for non profit association, the few times I supported other artists (musician) with my work. I think that is a good practice, supporting a local society with pro bono work, of course if they is possible.
What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?
Apart from the award and recognition of the profession, I would certainly emphasize the public relations and the opportunity to present myself and my work to the general public. I think that the competitions are important, I believe that every designer who gets an award is stimulating in the sense of continuing with their work and development. In this case, the award is the proof of the right path.

Extended Interview with Antonio Tepic

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
Studied at the Faculty of Graphic Arts at the University of Zagreb, in the direction of design of graphic products, then I was interested in design and prepress more than for printing.
What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
Selection of colors, typography, photography, composition, clarity of expression.
You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?
Because of the benefits and experience of their users, investing in design shows that your product / service is essential and necessary in everyday life.
What is your biggest design work?
An endless calendar, a simple and practical solution, very pragmatic.
Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?
Let them be open to new experiences, knowledge, try to look at the problem from another point of view.

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