![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Talikg-heads-psycho-killer.jpg\")
Image\u00a0courtesy of Krzysztof Iwanski<\/p>\n Image\u00a0courtesy of Krzysztof Iwanski<\/p>\n
Drawing inspiration from several artistic styles,\u00a0Krzysztof Iwanski combines equal parts Neo-Plasticism, Constructivism and Bauhaus, translating them into a new visual language. A touch of bold hard fonts reminiscent of the communist era create finished works\u00a0the artist defines as more human, more organic.
\nMuch inspiration is taken from the artist\u2019s hometown of L\u00f3dz, a place once dubbed the \u201cPolish Manchester\u201d during the socialist era. Left behind as a seemingly forgotten post-industrial landscape, the city experienced a sharp decline after the fall of communism. Like many previously iron clad towns, the remaining open space acts as a blank canvas that attracts artists from around the world, providing the type of freedom that nurtures innovation. However, Iwanski doesn\u2019t\u00a0necessarily consider his work\u00a0a result of his country\u2019s history. He\u2019d rather see himself as an explorer, using former communist aesthetics to delve deep into the world of Constructivism \u2013 a world he views as one of the last defined styles in design history.<\/p>\n
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Black-flag.jpg\")
Image\u00a0courtesy of Krzysztof Iwanski<\/p>\n
While Iwanski has successfully\u00a0made a name for himself in the design world, he continually stresses that fellow designers\u00a0remember the roots of the craft\u00a0in order to do justice to its creative process and history. Iwanski uses constructive typography, which he considers the root of his work, as the foundation for visual exploration. \u201cWhat fascinates me about the Bauhaus school and constructivism is the sense of structure and the way fonts build a certain order,\u201d\u00a0says Iwanski. The artist also often compares typeface to music. \u201cLets imagine the font is a strong bass line similar to that heard in most modern music,” he adds. “It\u2019s always present and it leads you through the landscape of sounds. You want to know if the band is good? Just listen to the bass, which is how I see the role of font in design.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Between-fiction_and_reality.jpg\")
Image\u00a0courtesy of Krzysztof Iwanski<\/p>\n
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Blind-Tiger.jpg\")
Image\u00a0courtesy of Krzysztof Iwanski<\/p>\n
While aesthetics associated with Poland\u2019s communist era did make an imprint in his mind, Iwanski utilises their bold typefaces not as a reminder of the past, but the present feelings they evoke. \u201cAs far as I can remember,” he says, “I would look at letters\u00a0and associate\u00a0certain emotions behind them. For me, they were more than just shapes.\u201d
\nThe bass line of Iwanski\u2019s work is found within these emotional interpretations, translated into the clear intentions behind his work. Often hand printed, this process gives him full control over the creative process while simultaneously pushing for more focus. \u201cScreen-printing ultimately simplifies my designs,” he explains. “It moves me away from unnecessary frills and allows me to focus on what is important for the project.\u201d Iwanski thrives on the raw creative process and its feeling of permanence. This ultimately makes his work feel purposeful, referencing the clear cut images that defined early twentieth\u00a0century design.
\nIwanski doesn\u2019t let the inescapable popularity of digital design worry him. Instead, he sees the democratisation of design as a natural part of visual evolution. \u201cDesign has become more important for everyone,” he continues. “Showing itself in places such as fashion, politics, blogs and even birthday invitations. In general we are more socially aware of design, realising the role typefaces play and why specific\u00a0colours cause certain emotions.\u201d This might seem like a negative aspect that dilutes the creative process for some, but Iwanski uses it to bridge both worlds. In his mind the dream behind Bauhaus is slowly coming true.<\/p>\n
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/PIL-religion.jpg\")
Image\u00a0courtesy of Krzysztof Iwanski<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Sasha-Boole.jpg\")
Image\u00a0courtesy of Krzysztof Iwanski<\/p>\n