talenthouse - ALL CREATIVE

Here at Talenthouse we love reminders of what participating in an Invite can do for an artist’s career, especially when it comes to removing obstacles to letting creativity flow. Members agree about the difficulties in making one’s art known to audiences, but with the willingness to challenge one’s limits and apply one’s skills, career-propelling connections are made all the time in our community. Such has been the case of Antonio Cotos Facal, Winner of the Creative Invite Design a Helmet for HardnutZ. In this interview, Antonio discusses his endurance as an artist, his excitement as a winner, and his future projects.

When he discovered Talenthouse, Antonio knew that he must make the most of its stream of opportunities. To date, he has taken part in 16 Creative Invites since last January. Ambitious and disciplined, Antonio admits that the creative process is hard, but he emphasizes that it is rewarding “when one successfully creates a design, taking into account which public or which brand it is aimed at.”

This 28 year old Galician artist has now fulfilled one of his dreams: design for a sports brand. Thanks to his studies in electronics and the arts plus the confidence to put them to work, he combined his two passions to make a living from them. His ensuing experience working in furniture design afforded him a new creative possibility: product design.

It follows naturally that Antonio would love to design for sports brands such as DC, Burton or yet again for HardnutZ. He would be honored to see great riders or skaters do their thing while sporting his designs on their gear – or threads, since he’s also interested in textile design.

Antonio's award-winning design.

TH: What’s the most important lesson you have learned in your career?
Antonio: You never know what’s the best to do – life has its good and bad things, and one has to learn how to cope with difficulties and keep on going. And when one overcomes an obstacle, then comes the reward.

TH: What things do you never leave at home?
Antonio: Nowadays, the mobile telephone is essential. I like writing down my ideas and having the possibility to draw a sketch of my ideas in whatever the place…

Design detail from Antonio's submission.

TH: How would you describe your winner design to someone who couldn’t see?
Antonio: I would like this person to touch the relief of the design. I would describe it as a simple design, with funny skulls one on top of another, ideal for both men and women. It’s elegant and plain, with a purple detail on one of the skulls, a fact that makes the helmet useful in case of rescue in the snow.

TH: Who has been your biggest influence?
Antonio: Nando Costa, Stefan Sagmeister, the Cuban Council agency…I like Andy Warhol, I think Scott Brownrigg is really good, I admired Steve Jobs. However, I think great talents are everywhere. I mean, if everyone would have the opportunity and the means to fulfill their ideas, we would probably be surprised. [Editor's note: Talenthouse aims to surprise!]

TH: What are the 5 main features of a great design or work of art?
Antonio: It has to be simple, with a suitable format. It has to reach the public, to be useful and it must transmit something.

TH: If you would have to work with only a color (apart from black and white), which one would you choose?
Antonio: Any shade ranging from blue to purple.

One of Antonio’s outstanding qualities is that he maintains interests in so many different art disciplines. We are sure that his passion and perseverance will lead him to fulfill his dreams and are glad to have exchanged ideas with him along the way.

Congratulations, Antonio! We wish you further success and are looking forward to more of your creations.