István Szugyiczky

István Szugyiczky is a Hungarian graphic designer who until recently lived in Barcelona.

Having graduated at the Hungarian Academy of Fine Arts in 2001 with an MA in graphic design, he has since then worked for several Hungarian design studios and agencies as senior designer and art director for clients like Microsoft, Cisco Systems, Aegon, Dresdner Bank, Korean Daewoo Bank, Volkswagen, Nikon, Adidas, Bacardi, Miller, Danone and Coca Cola.

István also made posters for charity organizations like Greenpeace or Unicef and featured in many social and environmental poster exhibitions all around the world.

Working as a freelance graphic designer nowadays, he is interested in illustrated typography, lettering and illustration.

The following is an interview with István by RS Creative Director, Michael Robinson.

1. What's your personal mantra?

I don’t really have a personal mantra, I just try to work in my own way but if this is also a kind of mantric will, this could be it then…

2. What does the role of Artist mean to you?

In my opinion it’s not good to take your own statue of this kind with you wherever you go. However, this self definition - just like everything else - can also be an experience in a certain way, even though I think it’s hardly ever good for the evolution of work. This term of ‘artist’ is rather for the public. Anyway, the important thing is the ability to make thoughts and points of view clear for everyone regardless of cultures… But it’s also important to receive and “decode” the possible feedbacks - not only the direct and personal ones, but the society’s reactions to the contemporary works. Interaction is essential, to get to know other cultures and ways of thinking. It’s a real heavyweight commonplace, but this is what it’s all about by the way.

3. What is the driving force behind your creativity?

The working process and the intention of creating something new in my case is generated by the motivation for finding new connections among things. Sometimes I try to use attributes of different graphic genres mostly as gestures. It’s exciting to show things differently, in new structures and relations. The challenge of experimenting and working in a different way is also a great motivation for me.

4. What transformative experiences have influenced your life and how has that manifested in your work?

I always used to read a lot and I find it interesting to transform my ideas generated by writings to visuals, but I feel the same way about music, too. The construction and the “personality” of things around us also influence the nature of my works.

5. How long does it take you on average to complete a piece of work, and do you ever do several pieces simultaneously?

It depends on the project and the deadline… Yes, I always work on or at least think about more themes at the same time. They usually help each other’s evolution.

6. Why should people check out your work?

Well, I try to do graphic design, not some kind of decoration. I’ve never liked to pose with some shiny stuff, because I think there are more possibilities in this field. Nowadays I focus on illustrative typography and on finding new ways in it. I usually combine very simple shapes with more complex ones using just a few colors, because I'm more into contrast.
The black and white compositions can have a sort of mystical atmosphere that I find inspiring. However I feel I will use a wider range of colors in the very near future. I have some new structures in my mind.

Besides I’ve always been interested in posters and illustrations too about social and environmental issues. I deeply believe in the power of the still picture and I can’t ignore the opportunity of transmitting very clear messages on global problems of this kind we all need to act against. 

7. How does your work affect Consciousness, and what are your views on the evolution of consciousness?

Consciousness in my opinion has to have a certain continuity, not an evolution really. It’s good if you can reach a point where you feel that you’ve found something you were searching for, but this shouldn’t affect your personality too much in terms of consciousness, because then you might begin to behave as an “artist”. Consciousness should never be manifested in the effort you make to reach a position in work or in the (design) society. I believe more in instinctual working process than in consciousness.