Polish graphic designer and illustrator Karol Banach describes his style as crazy, colorful and geometric – and I couldn’t have described it better myself. His playful characters and whimsical settings are what drew me to his work, and seemingly many others as his work is in extremely high demand at the moment. Having worked for major brands like the Washington Post, Ikea, Samsung, and Adobe, as well as winning numerous awards both locally and internationally, Banach’s resume is impressive, especially when you considering he only finished his studies two years ago.
Drawing inspiration from his everyday experiences and surroundings, as well as classical painters as Picasso and Basquiat, Banach’s style is surreal yet approachable. Mixing patterns and elementary shapes with kooky, rich color schemes, what first seems outrageous and out of hand, becomes harmonious, like organized chaos. Banach has achieved what many creatives desire, having a recognizable style without becoming a one-trick-pony. With a seemingly never-drying well of inspiration, ambition, and imagination, I am sure we’ll keep seeing more and more of Karol Banach and his playful illustrations in the future.
If you are wondering how Banach achieves his style and creates his work, see the over-the-shoulder videos he made for Adobe as a rare sneak-peek into the process of how an illustration is done.
Images © Karol Banach