Federico Pallas: Closing the Circle
Graphic Designer and Art Director
by Elizabeth Lavis
|10 Jul 2024
Graphic Designer and Art Director Federico Pallas believes that the most essential part of a design is that it works. “Our job is materializing a concept that arises from a need,” he says. “If we close the circle, we’re doing our job well. There isn’t a single way to solve a problem, but not every solution resolves it.”
Discovering innovative ways to close the circle and solve the problem requires creativity and curiosity under pressure. “For me, creativity is the exercise of constantly questioning the object,” Pallas says. “It is being aware that things can be expressed in another way, so when you feel that you’re not finding something that works, you go back and look for other approaches.”
This process of questioning and seeking other solutions dovetails with Pallas’ advice for aspiring designers. “I don’t believe that there’s a thing as knowing something completely,” Pallas says. “Disciplines are dynamic, and learning requires constant training. There is always something to add or improve.”
Miami-based and Buenos Aires-born Pallas credits his hometown as an early influence on his work and design style. “Buenos Aires is a city with a unique cultural offering; very passionate and full of nuances. Then, there’s Miami, which is so different in many aspects but also diverse, with a lot of Latin life and energy, distinctive architecture, and unique colors.”
"Porto-Boutique & Porto-053", Federico Pallas
Pallas also draws inspiration from photography and traveling. “Travel has always played a crucial role in sparking my creativity, and photography has been a great companion, allowing me to observe the details, colors, atmospheres, and peculiarities of each place more closely,” he says.
Design inspiration and creativity are just two pieces of the overall puzzle. Pallas also has a system for building trust and rapport with clients to foster collaboration and increase the project’s success. “Client trust is one of the most important assets we have as designers,” he says. “I try to build that trust through ‘over-delivering,’ always giving a bit more, and adding extra value to the project.” He also notes that positioning yourself as a trusted advisor to a client is critical. He does that by offering technical resources and project recommendations based on experience. “The trust is built when those resources generate positive results,” he says.
Pallas begins new projects by asking many questions to delve into what the client really needs. “The first step is to create a brief with the client, review it, and ask some questions to establish objectives and timelines,” he says. Once I understand the client’s needs, the research stage follows.” This stage involves specific aspects of the design, like aesthetics, and is followed by a prototype stage.
The trick is to discover the ideal balance between function and aesthetics. “I believe the best way to achieve this balance is by developing a solid method. Keeping the project’s objectives and needs in mind is essential for pushing the boundaries of innovation,” Pallas says.
Pallas also believes in balancing his working life and free time. “I’ve been working independently from home for almost 15 years,” he says. “I have developed habits that allow me to be very productive for my clients and projects while also having time for myself and my family.”
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