Alex Trochut: Family Ties

Alex Trochut doesn't pick sides...at least when it comes to deciding whether he'd prefer to work in type, illustration or design. This claim is both surprising and not-so-surprising, considering that he's the grandson of Joan Trochut, developer of Super-Veloz, a modular ornamental and typographic system in the 1940s, and conversely because he's the first family member since his grandfather to choose the route of designer. An equal adoration for each of his chosen creative fields is evident in the creation of his unique, expressive works.

Much like Ale De Carvalho and many more of his contemporaries, he finds that even though the finished product may not always present itself, following his instinct pushes him through to the end result. "I guess when you are motivated for an idea you have a perception of it, although you can't really see it, but you have that intuition. That first feeling of this undefined idea is what helps me to stay on track and discover the idea throught the process of working on it."

He finds the upside of making to his work for clients -- in education. "I guess all designers have to make sacrifices for outsider [client] opinions, and that is really frustrating sometimes. You can always learn something from that, though. In my case, there's been nothing to make a fuss of yet. [You have to] believe in what you do and be open to changes."

Trochut finds much inspiration from the input and collaboration of others -- as well as new problem-solving techniques. "I like working with and for other creative minds, is always a good way to evolve and have inputs from the outside and not from inside yourself, is always refreshing. Having someone else giving you directions will always take you to new places, and that will always provide you new solutions to face new problems."

Looking forward, he's using negative counterpoints as a motivational source. "I'd like to keep learning and have fun with what I'm doing, losing motivation, finding myself empty is something that scares me. I believe [that fear] also makes me move forward and not feel comfortable at any point."