I was looking for someone to make a logo for my blog. Fajne Chłopaki is a well known graphic studio in Poland which is famous for their vintage style that refers to the Polish graphics of the 60’s. They’ve been doing various design projects but the collaboration with a fashion brand Pan tu nie stał gave them a broad recognition. How they play with a form and composition of letters and images, this lightness and sense of humor is what I love the most about their work.

 

 

So, I picked up the phone and with a slightly trembling  voice I explained my idea to Łukasz. These guys were the reason why I went to Łódż for the first time in my life and I’m coming back regularly ever since.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fajne Chłopaki are two fellas named Łukasz & Łukasz and I’m not joking. Neither one of them has a typical art education but their interest and passion for graphic design in various forms brought them to where they are now. Łukasz Zbieranowski has had typography in his blood, so to say, having a father who worked in a printing house. While choosing a psychology for his studies he couldn’t foresee that he will be using his father’s printing machines in the future for his own graphic studio.

 

 

Łukasz Piskorek finished a political science with focus on PR  but was always keen on graffity and sticker art. Already as a student he did some graphic design projects.

“After my studies I went to Ireland for three years and there, by chance, I came across a book “How to be a designer without losing yourself” by Adrian Shaoughnessy. It opened my eyes and from this moment on I knew I wanted to become a professional graphic designer.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fajne Chłopaki have a very broad range of customers: publishing companies, music clubs, fashion brans, a radio, a university, the city of Łódz, branding projects and commercial assignments. What I want to know is with which clients they feel at ease and which projects bring their creativity up the most.

“We really appreciate that we can work with publishing companies like Czarne. It’s a privilege for us to design books . The other field where we feel totally free is designing posters which is our own initiative. Pure fun.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How is the relationship between the client and the designer? Is it difficult to stay true to yourself and make your client happy at the same time?

“In the ideal situation, during the creative process I listen to my stream of consciousness, forgetting the list of targets and things that have to be included in the project. Just be a medium between a client and the final result. That’s what I strive for. ” – reveals Łukasz Z.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“If an assignment has many restrictions the best way to deal with it is to make a list of elements that have to be included and start doodling. All information sink slowly in my brain and by doodling the end result will eventually appear.” – explains Łukasz P.

 

 

We talk a lot about handmade versus computer-made. Most of the graphic designers use computer and yet, you can still choose the other way.

“Lots of our projects are handmade although it is a tedious work. Sometimes it is the only way to reach the desired effect. You can’t strike the Alt-Delete button so everything has to be thought through well in advance. The designing process and the way of thinking is different than when a computer is your tool.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This observation got me thinking about how computer and other devices that we are constantly connected to influence our way of working, thinking and perceiving. They are great innovations which open exciting new possibilities but many people are increasingly longing for nature, slow living, handcraft and being off line. The art is to find a balance.

 

Visit Łukasz & Łukasz on fajnechlopaki.com

Top photo by Asia K.

All other images by Fajne Chłopaki