AFC Rebrand and Logo Design/Photo: courtesy of People Who Care
Where do you draw inspiration from?
I’m inspired by so many types of objects, experiences, concepts, moments and people: Black children smiling, the crisp morning air, traveling, speculative fiction, the patina on a piece of midcentury modern furniture, Afrofuturism, the taste of liberation and trans and gender-nonconforming people thriving.
Reunion Chicago Tote Bag/Photo: courtesy of People Who Care
Can you talk about your practice in the light of a global pandemic and sociopolitical crisis—what changed, what remains the same?
I identify as a dreamer, builder and problem-solver. My practice revolves around strategy. I like to create new formulas, solve equations and open portals that have been forgotten, overlooked or never seen before. The global pandemic, racism, shame and other harmful systems of oppression have not deterred my passion to mobilize ideas through a liberatory lens. It has strengthened my commitment to understanding that good design has the power to change the world while great design has the power to activate people.
OTV App Design, 2020/Photo: courtesy of People Who Care
Where do you see the future of design in the post-COVID world?
We are at a pivotal point where all of the traditional design elements that have been celebrated throughout history are being questioned and interrogated. Who created these principles? Why do these limitations exist? How do we dismantle these structures? My hope is that we continue to lean into this energy; deepening our understanding of the rich cultural landscape that exists beyond the concepts that have been taught and presented to us. The future of design will release the concept of perfectionism which is a product of supremacy culture. The future of design is in development. The future of design will be brave, unapologetic and divine.
Greek-born Vasia Rigou is a journalist, editor and multimedia content producer largely on the subjects of visual art, culture, architecture and design. She currently serves as an Editor at Newcity, Chicago’s leading culture publication, as Writer and Copy Editor at the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) HQ, and regularly contributes to international architecture and design magazines OnOffice and ICON. She has experience creating content for brands and building conference speeches and influential TEDx talks. Simply put: she’s fascinated by finding out the great stories behind the people, places and objects that surround us, and by sharing those stories with the world. When she’s not writing about art or looking at art—wine in hand—she makes lists for pretty much everything, drinks immense amounts of coffee and takes cross-country road trips every chance she gets.
