Design Feast Series: Designer’s Quest(ionnaire)

Rejane Dal Bello

Graphic Designer

Posters for Adam Sinfonietta. Designed at Studio Dumbar.

Primary design concentration:

Visual Identity

Most preferred tools for designing:

Head

Banners for European Design Awards. Designed at Studio Dumbar.

How and why did you choose to become a designer?

I guess it chose me. I never knew that I could be a designer, or that design existed. This was in the 90s, and in Brazil, design was not a buzzword, far from it. I grew up in a medical family, so I did not have a cultural upbringing, but I always drew, I did not know I had a talent to pursue. What really changed was when I went for a exchange program in the USA for 1 year. I lived with an American family and lived an American teenager’s life. In high school, I took an art class, and at the end of the year, we had a show of all the work, and mine was selected as “best of the year.” That was a big deal, since I never thought this could be something, and I guess it was the time that I opened my mind, that I could do something toward art. So I came back to Brazil and had to take a university entrance test, and before I did, an older friend of mine saw all my collages and drawings and asked me, “Why don’t you do graphic design?” I replied, “What is graphic design?”

What are some of the challenges you encounter as a designer and how do you deal with them?

The creative process is really an insecure moment for me. The unknown time. Will it be ok? Will i find a solution? Would it look good? It is all totally a process of faith, and you face yourself every time—at least with me. To deal with it, I started to document my creative process from every project in a sketch book format, and from there, I look at it and “reflect” on so many projects that most of them never see the day of light and also can analyse and remember what I have done and get energy for the next assignment, since these books are the proof that we come out of the other side, every time.

Visual identity for Ag2r La Mondiale. Designed at Studio Dumbar.

What is your definition of an “elegant solution,” that is, good design?

When content and form are in alignment together.

From skills to values, what makes a designer successful?

I would not know. Also, would depend on what you do understand about the word “successful.” I think if you are true to what you love to do, this is being successful. I think it is hard for everyone and anyone at any time, so sticking to what you love and not following just the trend is what makes you successful, because ultimately it is what makes you tick and wake up everyday and work.

Covers designed for Alea Magazine’s book series.

How do you stay motivated and grow personally and professionally as a designer?

I moved a lot. I think this made me motivated. Knowing new cultures, languages, people and exploring different perspectives of life. But this is just my experience, it does not mean that it is what makes people grow. You can grow and stay put at a place. I have to make myself feel that I am out of my comfort zone from time to time, and it is scary, but mostly necessary. Once we grow our mind, we also grow experiences as a designer, I believe so.

For those aspiring to become a designer, whatever the discipline, what is your advice?

Love what you do. To want to survive the ups and down during the design process.

What is your quest in design, from a professional practice, education or evolution standpoint?

Right now, to put into practice a social project called “Dr. Giraffe.” I have been working on it for the last 3 years. My goal is to have it become a social sustainable business. Hopefully this year, I will be able to launch it. This is a big deal for me and for my studio. I am still figuring out how I want to deal with it. I don’t have the ambition of a big studio. I enjoy doing the work and being part of it all the way. Don’t know how this will play out. I am still in the middle of the process and figuring it out, since it has been 2 years from when I opened my studio.

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