Daniel Aristizabal: Why his sketchbook is this art director’s most valuable possession

All of Daniel Aristizabal's whimsical 3D illustrations come from humble beginnings: paper and pen.

tkeqgv6yhwqwmkkuo1xj 1
tkeqgv6yhwqwmkkuo1xj

Nonsense is the key for me.

Who are you and what do you make?

I’m Daniel Aristizábal, a graphic designer and art director from Medellín, Colombia. I studied graphic design in Medellín and Motion graphic in Barcelona. My work focuses on surrealism, experimentation, typography, colors and odd stuff. I love cats and crappy 80’s and 90’s movies. I hate crowded places, and I’m a frustrated stand-up comedian.

What are the most important tools of your trade?

I’m in the process of procuring a new workspace; where I am right now I feel a little bit tight. The notepads are the most important tool of my workspace, more than the 3D software I believe. I doodle all day, so having different pads around helps me to put on paper all kinds of incoherences that I have on my mind. One doodle from Monday can be mixed with a word that I wrote down on Saturday. There’s a lot of chaos in the way my mind does all the connections, but I like it that way. Results can be really cool if you let your mind have a free pass all the time. Nonsense is the key for me.

vlapnx82ok6uavux6rt4
rcob6477ldklntvhe9r2

How do you choose the objects that make up your 3D art works?

I think 3D in the same way I think illustration. I start to doodle around a concept. Words, sketches, random thoughts. Whatever pops into my mind, I draw it on my notepads. After that I know what elements I need to create on Cinema 4D. A lot of the stuff I use is based on imagery and objects that I had when I was a little kid—finally I’m able to get that out into the world.

How do cosmology, space, and time influence your work?

I’ve been obsessed with space and quantum physics since I was a little kid. The idea of other dimensions and strange matter really shaped the way I see the world. Actually, before I went to graphic design school I was planning to study physics, but at the end I choose this path. I think it’s been the right one so far. Currently I’m reading a lot about the holographic principle, and about deep learning computers. I’m also watching a ton of 90’s Nickelodeon shows on YouTube.

behance.net/danielaristizabal
@darias88

A4 1 4

A Guide to Improving Your Photography Skills

Elevate your photography with our free resource guide. Gain exclusive access to insider tips, tricks, and tools for perfecting your craft, building your online portfolio, and growing your business.

Name
Subscribe to the newsletter Field Label

Latest

en_USEN