Silva's work is part of the Integrative Project from the Bachelor's Degree, an announcement that graduation is just around the corner.
How did you feel about the fact that Gato Peludo's children's music CD has been nominated for the Graffiti Awards?
With great surprise and joy. For both me and the people at Gato Peludo, receiving a nomination is an honor in itself. Not only did it take a lot of hard work, but it also has the distinction of being an independently released album.
What was it like to design the illustrations?
It was an experience I thoroughly enjoyed, a phase during which I felt I had really matured as a designer. Overall, I was able to create a system of pieces that, even today, I’m more than satisfied with. As for the illustrations themselves, it was an interesting challenge to interpret the content of each theme and then translate it into an image. Every theme has its own rhythm and distinct feel—these are details that gradually give you a sense of how you want those illustrations to be perceived. The style of the line work is a good example of that.
Did you have any experience designing images for children?
Not exactly, but that's what drew me to Gato Peludo. I felt it was a great opportunity to create pieces that were different from what I'd been doing in previous semesters.
What inspired you to design the images?
The goal was to create a piece in which the child not only holds a simple 12 x 12-centimeter transparent CD case, but one that also serves as a book. Each track on the album is preceded by an illustration. The inspiration came from the concepts of melancholy, tenderness, and darkness, but there is also a surrealist style in most of the compositions. These concepts then determined that the illustrations would be in black and white.
Is the design of these illustrations, in particular, related to any of the courses in the Bachelor's Degree in Graphic Design?
They are part of the Integrative Project, an eighth-semester course that brings together three design disciplines taught at the school (Graphic Design, Industrial Design, and Fashion Design).
Are you currently working?
I work as a freelancer on individual projects. Lately, I’ve been doing most of my work under the name Silva Bros, a brand I created together with my brother, Leo Silva, out of a desire to blend illustration with design.
Have you had any previous work experience?
Yes, I have designed and continue to design marquees for state-run casinos. Also, while I was in the United States, I worked as a cook at the KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) restaurant chain.
What semester of your degree program are you in?
I'm not taking any more classes right now. I still have a few exams left to take, and once I pass them, I'll be able to finish my degree.
What has the race been like for you so far?
Discernment.