Andrei Nicolescu

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Conceptual

Editorial

Fashion

Graphic

People

Retro

Person in red coat holding black umbrella with blue light beams by Andrei Nicolescu

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Hand holding Mermoz magazine with abstract blue cover by Andrei Nicolescu

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Pink geometric building structures under bright blue sky by Andrei Nicolescu

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Film poster for Cadence showing a large saxophone and a person on the bell by Andrei Nicolescu

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Striking contrasts in graphic design - it all comes down to style!

Based in Bucharest, Andrei grew up constantly drawing on scraps of paper and spare notebooks with his father’s architectural studio as a backdrop. Architecture is one key influence, and it’s the field he trained in, but he’s always harboured a love of comics and cartoons. With an eye for impactful compositions and a sense of design in his work, he’s developed a unique style all his own. Clients enjoy commissioning Andrei due to his ability to take a brief and instinctively transform it into a fascinating visual idea, and he’s worked with major brands around the world. Some of his favourite influences include Wes Anderson films, fantasy art, Darwyn Cooke and major 20th century aesthetic movements such as Brutalism and Art Nouveau.

Approach

With a background using pencils and markers, today Andrei works digitally using Photoshop and Illustrator, infusing his work with vibrant colours and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. He’s adding 3D and animation to his repertoire with tools such as Spline, Cinema 4D and After Effects.

Key software

Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.

Style

Andrei’s unique style is compelling, emotive and thought provoking. Well-designed compositions and hints of retro textures are sometimes coupled with a touch of deconstructivism – reassembling ideas, physical things, people and their feelings.

Languages

Romanian, English, French.

Impressions

Interview

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Interview

What led you to become an illustrator? I’ve always drawn and grew up surrounded by art so it only seemed natural to me.Did you study illustration in college? No, I studied architecture but this made me more of aware of a larger view of art. I learned a lot about composition, colours, styles and techniques but also about art history.Where did you grow up? In Bucharest, Romania.Do you have a childhood memory relating to art that you hold dear? I remember my dad making these still life pastel drawings for me and also creating a makeshift Batman mask.Where do you live now and what drew you there? Haven’t moved so far but I would like to work from different places in the future.Describe your studio for us It’s just a small corner of our apartment with plenty of sunshine. But I’m surrounded by artbooks just in my reach for some inspiration.Do you have a studio pet?Yeah our dog, Pixel. We named him from our passion for all things design! He mostly sleeps during the day when I work from home, but comes for pets during longer hours of work.Who or What is your biggest inspiration? I would say that visually it's the films of Wes Anderson. The daring use of colour and the attention to detail in creating materials and fantastic set-pieces.If you could collaborate with another artist or creative of any genre, living or dead, who would it be?I would love to create a film poster for Wes Anderson or create an album cover or merch for Nothing but Thieves.What’s your favourite way to spend a day off?Just relaxing, catching up on some podcasts or reading comics and enjoying some time outside with Pixel.What's your most prized possession and why?For sentimental reasons it’s a collection of art & architecture books from my dad.What causes are you passionate about?As an illustrator it has to be creator’s rights, especially facing the proliferation of AI use. But as a person living in Bucharest I would like to help a cause that deals with making the city more amenable to pedestrians, children and the elderly. My girlfriend and I also like to support local community initiatives or fund drives.Do you collect anything? Mostly artbooks and comics. I’ve just started a very small collection of vinyl records.What's your favourite podcast?I don’t know if they would define it as a podcast but it’s a couple of comic focused YouTube channels: Inkscribes and Comics Rot your Brain. I just love delving into insights of the creative process and artist’s evolution.What is the first record you bought? Must have been Metallica’s 'St Anger' actually. I was just attracted to the art of Pushead. This was just after I was introduced to classic rock from the mixtapes one of my school friends had made for me.Who is your art hero? It’s James Jean with the way that he was able to transform from an independent artist working in comics to a world renowned artist working on major films with Guillermo del Toro. And I just like his very inventive use of colour and characters.Who is your design hero? There are many to choose from, currently I have a soft spot for Bedow Studio from Sweden and the teams behind POV Design Festival in Hungary, Comet & CM Supply.Who is your music hero? With so many reinventions I think Beck. I’ve listened to all his records and I’m constantly amazed by not just the quality but how different they are from one another, and how he’s always searching for something new.What was your favourite assignment ever?The portrait triptych for Little White Lies on 'Challengers'. It was always one of my dreams to do editorial illustration for Little White Lies and I got the right one for a Luca Guadagnino film.What is your favourite book?It’s hard to decide but I quite enjoyed 'Klara and the Sun' from Kazuo Ishiguro. It’s a very heartfelt story and a sci-fi dressed in everyday nuances, not tech jargon. But I also love 'Shogun' by James Clavell and the sci-fi nerd in me won’t ever give up my Philip K Dick story collection.What is your favourite quote?'Be yourself; everyone else is already taken', from Oscar Wilde.What movie can you watch over and over?Movies are my comfort food! Right now it’s 'The Prestige' from Christopher Nolan and Wes Anderson’s 'The Grand Budapest Hotel'.What is the last show you binged?I just finished 'Shogun' the mini-series.What was the last exhibition you saw and loved?A local art fair with illustrators and artists. I loved the creativity on display. Every year it seems the Bucharest art scene is evolving and moving forward.If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go? I’m pretty easy to please as I would revisit Barcelona and maybe move there this time.If a client paid you enough money to take a year off and create whatever you want – an open brief - no constraints - what would you create?I’d probably take a stab at a comic book or graphic novel. Is there a type of job you haven't done yet, but would love to do?I’d like to work on some form of animation. How has your work or practice evolved over time?I’ve moved on from traditional work and my style has evolved to be more realistic with a lot more experimental use of colour. I’ve been fortunate enough to get projects that also help me expand my scope and to understand the world in more deeper ways, speaking of news outlets and journals.If you were not an illustrator, what would you be? Definitely an architect - that was option number one after all. An architect that looks for great art to adorn on walls in his projects.Is there a work lesson you’ve had to learn the hard way?As a freelancer, always ask for an advance, I’ve learnt this by having clients not pay after the project was completed. And always read through contracts, always.What is the most challenging part of being an illustrator?Personally it’s a constant feel that one needs to be creative and invent new things, new concepts and visuals all the time. It can get tiring but I’ve found that just reading a book, listening to some music, grabbing a comic book can get the creative juices flowing and that no one’s creative all the time, everything is a remix after all and you just have to have a different perspective. The more personal the perspective the better.What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given? Trust your instincts.What career advice would you give your younger self?Just keeping doing what you are doing, things will get better.What do you listen to when you work?I have a very eclectic playlist ranging from electronica to 70s & 80s soft rock and synthpop, grunge and dance to more obscure instrumental music.