Elo makes fun and playful digital collages, his work really caught my eye. What I like about it especially is that he's not afraid to combine multiple time periods in his pieces. I see a definite Victorian style as well as a retro 60s look in his work.

Elo Designer
www.elodesigns.com
I'm from San Diego, California

Describe your work in 10 words or less.

Art with an edge and no limits.

What do you like to work with (magazines, photographs, vintage)? Be specific!

I like to work with a little bit of everything. Old magazines, stock images, vignette images, and vintage vector drawings. I also make my own textures and brushes. I think that's why they called it collage right? because you can put all those pieces together when creating a composition.

How long have you been creating collages and what made you start?

Well, when I came out of graphic school about 2 years ago, I thought graphic arts would be more of a creative world and not so repetitive. I thought I would be able to create and express my ideas freely. I was wrong and I knew I had to do something to express my artistic side to the world. Although I took lots of drawing classes, I still suck at it (laughs). But I have great illustration ideas. I think creating photo illustrations (collage) was an answer to my frustrations for not being able to create beautiful drawings or perfect sketches. Collage has been a great part of my life since I was a kid even before I went to design school.

Are you solely an artist, or do you work in another profession?

I am a graphic designer with a degree. I love to do packaging designs, work on concepts and new identities. I've got some awards on packaging and I think that is one of my main passions in design. I'm always more demanding than my clients, and I never put out a logo or a design until I'm 100% happy with it. Even when my clients say that they are happy with my designs, I still ask a little bit of more time to push it a little bit further.

Do you have any formal art training?

Yes I do. I have a graphic arts degree and a web design certificate.

Explain your favourite techniques.

My favorite techniques are no techniques. When you do collage you have put stuff together, understand balance, understand the golden ratio, how to match colors, understand "The Gestalt Principles." You have to know when it's time to add or subtract but that is all more technical. But they all help!

Describe your favourite piece ever created.

My art pieces are like my babies (laughs) I hate to see them go. But it's awarding when you see someone wearing what you have designed. I did an art exhibition and I saw people buying them. Only 4 were left but I still wanted to keep them all. I actually don't have a favorite one. I still have tons that I didn't like and thought wouldn't be worth showing. It's like when a singer creates a new album. You edit and put only the best to the public. I like all the ones out there!

What other artists do you admire?

In pop art I like Andy Warhol, in graphic arts I like Karin Hashid and Michael Graves. They are all genius!

Thanks Elo!