Get to Know the Team: Gurí Pereyra
The full article was originally published by Nakama Labs on Medium. Read the full article here.
Welcome to our exciting series, where we invite you to delve into the vibrant world of Nakama and get to know the brilliant minds behind our groundbreaking endeavors!
In this unique journey, we will be presenting exclusive interviews with our team members, giving you a front-row seat to the passion, dedication, and expertise that fuels our innovation.
Hi Emi, what sparked your initial interest in and led to your involvement in Web3?
In the world of martial arts, it’s often said that the teacher appears when the student is ready, and I believe that creative challenges follow a similar pattern. Web3, or more specifically, producing content as a designer for Web3, emerged due to the same integration of this phenomenon into the creative field. I have to acknowledge that it introduces a set of ethics and communication aesthetics that can be quite disruptive to the skills one has developed. Nevertheless, it’s precisely this revolutionary aspect that drew me into this field.
How do you see design playing a role in Web3?
One must keep their eyes wide open, seize the moment, and realize that the mental images we create are a part of our own history. With the advent of Web3, I no longer see myself caught in a revolution, thanks to my past experiences in image creation. Nonetheless, it’s precisely that history that allows me to offer something unique. The key is not to limit ourselves to what we’ve learned but to meld all our visual experiences into a fresh and innovative form. Communication is an ongoing process, and it’s by embracing this inherent dynamism that I can make a more significant contribution. It involves drawing from the internal library we all carry and navigating the challenges of learning a new language.
What do you believe sets the design of Nakama apart and makes it so special?
In Japan, there’s a somewhat derogatory term: “gaijin,” used for foreigners who aren’t part of the local culture and are often viewed with suspicion. When working with Japanese or oriental graphics, we’ll always be considered “gaijin.” However, what if we approached it with full awareness that we’re not part of that rich culture? What if we used these elements while understanding that we might make mistakes in interpretation but without losing respect for their grace and beauty? This is where the concept of “nakama” comes into play — a sense of openness, friendship, and respect, even as foreigners in that culture.
Could you walk us through your approach to initiating the design process for a new asset?
Of course, and because words do not suffice, I have a behind-the-scenes video to share with you:
https://medium.com/media/97bcdd44f85e63c7b2de511ae0854d46/href
In the dynamic field of design, every designer faces unique challenges. Could you provide some insight into what you personally find to be the most challenging aspect of design?
Every work of art has an intrinsic challenge, but the fundamental questions remain the same:
Who am I creating it for? Why am I creating it? What am I talking about? What do my readers seek from it? What message do I aim to deliver? While the possibilities may appear limited, they can still be fascinating, and at times, a single tile can host an impressive dance move.
Can you name a designer who has influenced your work? It could be in terms of their design philosophy, aesthetics, or approach to problem-solving.
My influences are numerous and diverse, and I consider this to be almost a duty. From Caravaggio and his expressive perfection to Peruvian chicha graphics, through the texture of old comics printed on cheap paper, or the mastery of artists like James Jean, and even the cinema of figures like Tati or Roy Andersson, mixed with poorly painted signs one finds at a roadside diner. However, my main challenge lies in understanding what comes next, what vibrates or can make others vibrate from this instrument that resembles more a guitar filled with scars and stickers than a vocoder.
Given the demanding nature of design work, it’s important to tap into creativity. How do you stay creative on a daily basis?
Paradoxically, I believe that today, consistency is much more important than creativity. In a world where everyone is trying to be heard loudly, and the demand for content is overwhelming, our goal should be to endure, seeking the simplicity of an old pop song.