Australia based artist Luca Ionescu applied his crazy mix of technology and art to the creation of the 3D rendered 'Neon Dreams' design.
Bio
Luca currently operates Like Minded Studios where he has created incredible stuff for clients like Nike, Zoo York, MTV, VH1, ONeil, Etnies, Absolut Vodka, Reebok and Coca-Cola. He also co-runs and publishes Refill Magazine along with curating the Refill Seven Laser Skate Deck exhibition.
Luca currently operates Like Minded Studios where he has created incredible stuff for clients like Nike, Zoo York, MTV, VH1, ONeil, Etnies, Absolut Vodka, Reebok and Coca-Cola. He also co-runs and publishes Refill Magazine along with curating the Refill Seven Laser Skate Deck exhibition.
We caught up with Luca - over the phone of course - we're way too low budget for a trip to Oz, and learned about his background, design inspirations and that amazing Skull.
Q: Tell us something about your background?
I come from the eastern land of Romania. I was raised in the land of OZ, and now deliver the typographic message worldwide.
Q: How does the world REFILL?
Through the global network known as Synchronicity.
Q: How do you define synchronicity?
Synchronicity is the way we are all connected globally. It is why so many community websites pop. They are networks driven by synchronicity, showing how we are all connected within six degrees of freedom. It is the way people inspire each other.
Q: What is Refill magazine?
Refill magazine started locally in Sydney in 2003. There were no magazines to bring artists together, globally. And there was all of this fresh work and new ways of doing things. I wanted to document the global art scene and bring that global flavor to my local audience. It was a period of self-discovery, bringing the design community together, creating something collaborative and being able to give something back to the community. Creating a physical magazine was important because it’s something tangible – something you can hold. It’s a quality magazine, versus an abstract digital media presence. With print, the smell of the ink and the feel of the paper complement the artists’ work well. We grew up on prints and books; it’s traditional. However, we embrace digital media as well and there will be a stronger online presence for the Refill re-launch, with daily community exchanges and artist interviews. This will be paired with a quarterly release of the physical magazine.
Q: What is Like Minded Studio?
Like Minded Studio is an umbrella for four artists. We each have different skill sets that complement well and we do work for various clients and agencies, ranging from answering briefs on a commercial level to t-shirt design. Sometimes we bring other artists on-board for individual projects.
Q: What is one word you would use to describe yourself, and why?
Progressive. I am always changing and evolving as a creative and applying that to my work. I like to use older, traditional techniques and bring a new translation to traditional design work.
Q: Describe 3 inspiring encounters you have had as a designer and magazine publisher.
1. My first inspiring encounter was discovering the work of the Designers Republic while I was a design student. This snowballed into a hunt for more knowledge and who was behind the work. I discovered one of the men responsible for much of the goodness was Michael C Place. His amazing layout skills and typographic work includes brilliant use of one of my favorite typefaces at the time, Helvetica. He motivated me to keep producing what I loved doing most: design. I got in touch with Michael and since then he has been both a friend and a source of inspiration.
2. My second inspiring encounter was meeting Futura 2000 in 2002. He triggered what was to become one of my greatest learning journeys via Refill Magazine. The concept behind Refill Magazine was for me to learn about and showcase artists such as Futura. Since launching Refill, we have showcased several hundred artists and have tried to enrich the Sydney art and design community by cross-pollinating with international artists through exhibitions, collaborations and the like.
3. I would have to say my most recent inspirational experience was meeting my beautiful partner Bianga and the birth of our son, which without I wouldn’t be producing the work I am today. The love I feel for my family and which they give me is an endless source of inspiration for my work.
Q: Tell us about the story of “Neon Dreams”
It was originally a white skull on my homepage. It represented me. Faceless, it was the bare framework or structure that clients would come to my studio for work on. It was a starting point, from which I would flesh out my designs.
I redesigned the skull in titanium for a client, and while playing with it in my 3D rendering program, was excited about the look of all of these multicolored lights reflecting off of the surface. It is a stand-alone piece but could also be developed into a series, which I’ve considered. It represents Like Minded Studio’s love for design and that we’re here for the long haul, and we’re going to let the work shine. But it’s also open to interpretation, and overall it’s just a cool-looking skull.
Q: Snapshot the Sydney scene for our friends around the world.
Sydney has a lot of talent to offer. For a small sample, keep your eyes on www.refillmag.com and http://www.likemindedstudio.com. My agent, Rebecca Wolkenstein also represents a group of amazing photographers and artists who I am honored to be on books with.
Friends and Family:
• DMOTE
• JONATHAN ZAWADA
• SUPPLY
• MONSTER CHILDREN
• THE HEIGHTS
• TERENCE CHIN
• KELVIN HO
• FOOTAGE
• VIA ALLEY
• MODULAR
• NUMSKULL
Q: What are you working on right now?
Something I love. View some of it here.
Australia based artist Luca Ionescu applied his crazy mix of technology and art to the creation of the 3D rendered 'Neon Dreams' design.
Bio
Luca currently operates Like Minded Studios where he has created incredible stuff for clients like Nike, Zoo York, MTV, VH1, ONeil, Etnies, Absolut Vodka, Reebok and Coca-Cola. He also co-runs and publishes Refill Magazine along with curating the Refill Seven Laser Skate Deck exhibition.
Luca currently operates Like Minded Studios where he has created incredible stuff for clients like Nike, Zoo York, MTV, VH1, ONeil, Etnies, Absolut Vodka, Reebok and Coca-Cola. He also co-runs and publishes Refill Magazine along with curating the Refill Seven Laser Skate Deck exhibition.
We caught up with Luca - over the phone of course - we're way too low budget for a trip to Oz, and learned about his background, design inspirations and that amazing Skull.
Q: Tell us something about your background?
I come from the eastern land of Romania. I was raised in the land of OZ, and now deliver the typographic message worldwide.
Q: How does the world REFILL?
Through the global network known as Synchronicity.
Q: How do you define synchronicity?
Synchronicity is the way we are all connected globally. It is why so many community websites pop. They are networks driven by synchronicity, showing how we are all connected within six degrees of freedom. It is the way people inspire each other.
Q: What is Refill magazine?
Refill magazine started locally in Sydney in 2003. There were no magazines to bring artists together, globally. And there was all of this fresh work and new ways of doing things. I wanted to document the global art scene and bring that global flavor to my local audience. It was a period of self-discovery, bringing the design community together, creating something collaborative and being able to give something back to the community. Creating a physical magazine was important because it’s something tangible – something you can hold. It’s a quality magazine, versus an abstract digital media presence. With print, the smell of the ink and the feel of the paper complement the artists’ work well. We grew up on prints and books; it’s traditional. However, we embrace digital media as well and there will be a stronger online presence for the Refill re-launch, with daily community exchanges and artist interviews. This will be paired with a quarterly release of the physical magazine.
Q: What is Like Minded Studio?
Like Minded Studio is an umbrella for four artists. We each have different skill sets that complement well and we do work for various clients and agencies, ranging from answering briefs on a commercial level to t-shirt design. Sometimes we bring other artists on-board for individual projects.
Q: What is one word you would use to describe yourself, and why?
Progressive. I am always changing and evolving as a creative and applying that to my work. I like to use older, traditional techniques and bring a new translation to traditional design work.
Q: Describe 3 inspiring encounters you have had as a designer and magazine publisher.
1. My first inspiring encounter was discovering the work of the Designers Republic while I was a design student. This snowballed into a hunt for more knowledge and who was behind the work. I discovered one of the men responsible for much of the goodness was Michael C Place. His amazing layout skills and typographic work includes brilliant use of one of my favorite typefaces at the time, Helvetica. He motivated me to keep producing what I loved doing most: design. I got in touch with Michael and since then he has been both a friend and a source of inspiration.
2. My second inspiring encounter was meeting Futura 2000 in 2002. He triggered what was to become one of my greatest learning journeys via Refill Magazine. The concept behind Refill Magazine was for me to learn about and showcase artists such as Futura. Since launching Refill, we have showcased several hundred artists and have tried to enrich the Sydney art and design community by cross-pollinating with international artists through exhibitions, collaborations and the like.
3. I would have to say my most recent inspirational experience was meeting my beautiful partner Bianga and the birth of our son, which without I wouldn’t be producing the work I am today. The love I feel for my family and which they give me is an endless source of inspiration for my work.
Q: Tell us about the story of “Neon Dreams”
It was originally a white skull on my homepage. It represented me. Faceless, it was the bare framework or structure that clients would come to my studio for work on. It was a starting point, from which I would flesh out my designs.
I redesigned the skull in titanium for a client, and while playing with it in my 3D rendering program, was excited about the look of all of these multicolored lights reflecting off of the surface. It is a stand-alone piece but could also be developed into a series, which I’ve considered. It represents Like Minded Studio’s love for design and that we’re here for the long haul, and we’re going to let the work shine. But it’s also open to interpretation, and overall it’s just a cool-looking skull.
Q: Snapshot the Sydney scene for our friends around the world.
Sydney has a lot of talent to offer. For a small sample, keep your eyes on www.refillmag.com and http://www.likemindedstudio.com. My agent, Rebecca Wolkenstein also represents a group of amazing photographers and artists who I am honored to be on books with.
Friends and Family:
• DMOTE
• JONATHAN ZAWADA
• SUPPLY
• MONSTER CHILDREN
• THE HEIGHTS
• TERENCE CHIN
• KELVIN HO
• FOOTAGE
• VIA ALLEY
• MODULAR
• NUMSKULL
Q: What are you working on right now?
Something I love. View some of it here.
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