JB: Could you please introduce yourself?

MP: My name is Mario Pinheiro, I’m 35 years old and I live in Porto, Portugal.

JB: How did you get started with graphic design?

MP: I got into illustration first, specially after finding Carson Ellis‘ work in 2003. I was studying architecture at the time and sketching was a very important tool in the designing process. The Portuguese architect Siza Vieira’s said that drawing is an important tool to learn how to see, not just to look. His drawings are great and so are Ellis‘. So, drawing was the starting point. In 2009 I enrolled on the MA in Illustration at Kingston University (School of Communication Design), London, and from that point on both illustration and graphic design started to grow hand in hand.

 

My name is Mario Pinheiro, I'm 35 years old and I live in Porto, Portugal. I got into illustration first, specially after finding Carson Ellis' work in 2003. I was studying architecture at the time and sketching was a very important tool in the designing process. I like to travel and had the chance to visit a good amount of countries, mostly backpacking. Always found interesting things, places and people in each one, from New York to Istambul, from Norway to Cape Green. To be a favorite place to live, though, it has to be by the sea, with friendly people and an active sociocultural scene.

JB: Is there any favorite spot/country and why

MP: I like to travel and had the chance to visit a good amount of countries, mostly backpacking. Always found interesting things, places and people in each one, from New York to Istambul, from Norway to Cape Green. To be a favorite place to live, though, it has to be by the sea, with friendly people and an active sociocultural scene.
I’m still living in Portugal, so this is definitely one of the favorites. Places close-by I would easily go back to: Azores (Portuguese islands), Morocco, Ireland, nortern coast of Spain, Brittany and Normandy (in France).

JB: What makes you happy?

JB: Friends and family, the outdoors/nature, ethics. Positive attitude, training, rest, veggie food. The list goes on.Mario's apartment in Porto.Mario's apartment in Porto.

 

 

JB: What projects are you currently working on?

MP: Two logo design and stationery projects, a couple children’s picture book projects (going slowly, hopefully finished by the end of the year), graphics for apparel.

JB: What do you do for a living?

MP: In-house communication design and freelance work for global clients.

JB: How did you come up with your illustration style?

MP: Drawing plays a big role. Making it by hand and striving for simplicity and delicateness. Still working hard to make that distinctive zone clearer and trying to have fun with it along the way.Mario created this awesome artwork for us.Mario created this awesome artwork for us.

 

JB: Where do you see yourself in five years?

MP: Living long and living strong.
Despite the plans I might have at the moment, taking whatever I’ll get and trying to make the most of it.

JB: Tell us something about your home, Portugal?

MP: 1149 years old; Good weather; Cool surf spots along the coast; Ocean, rivers, mountains and islands (Azores and Madeira); Welcoming. A nice place to visit, go on a road trip, or live in.

JB: How does a typical day in the life of Mario Pinheiro looks like?

MP: Work routine, surfing/martial arts, socializing, rest.

My name is Mario Pinheiro, I'm 35 years old and I live in Porto, Portugal. I got into illustration first, specially after finding Carson Ellis' work in 2003. I was studying architecture at the time and sketching was a very important tool in the designing process. I like to travel and had the chance to visit a good amount of countries, mostly backpacking. Always found interesting things, places and people in each one, from New York to Istambul, from Norway to Cape Green. To be a favorite place to live, though, it has to be by the sea, with friendly people and an active sociocultural scene.

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JB: What springs to mind for the following keywords?

Social Media — A way to follow work we admire and maybe getting in touch with the people who make it. A way to see what friends are up to when we don’t get together that often.

Music — Ever-present.

Role Model — Be inspired by others but don’t grow on their shadow.

Flow — Action and meditation merged. Psychologist M. Csikszentmihaly tried to put it in words.

Inspiration — Passion, beauty and depth.

Adventure — Yes, please.

 

Find out more about Mario Pinheiro here