Summary
Jack of most trades, master of some.
Son of a Gallé artist and a glass engraver, I am a Bucharest based illustrator, graphic designer and creative shaman, going by the alias of CUTĂRICĂ, real name Vlad Mihai.
Spent some time in advertising agencies as an art director while drawing energy from personal projects.
Currently loving being a freelance illustrator on top of working as an art director for a film marketing agency.
Full bio
I never was into drawing that much, always liked math and economy; was just an occasional doodler.
After reading a most interesting book in highschool, I came to Bucharest commited to having my own office as a copywriter in a fancy ad agency. When applying for Advice, an NGO that prepares and helps young creatives step into the industry, everybody complimented my drawing skills, so I decided to give this art director thing a try. Turns out I liked it a lot, and a few months later I helped found the standalone creative department, becoming the first creative director in 10 years of Advice’s history. During this time I have tended and grown 13 creative teams and took part in organizing 7 creative schools and 3 advertising conferences for students.
In mid 2011 I was the youngest to be included in Headvertising‘s experiment in gathering a fresh creative team for creating experimental content for their brands. Come to think of it, I was the youngest art director at every agency I worked for. See my full resumé here.
In late 2011 I started my own creative studio with 4 friends. It did not last long, but it was a great time spent fishing awesome ideas together and crafting a few great projects.
In early 2012 I launched SHAMANS, an online magazine about polyvalent creators. The project is paused at the moment (but to be resumed some time soon), not having enough time and fuel for it.
In late 2012 I created Plaiurile, an open platform, a collection of contributing work from graphic designers and illustrators, branding cities and places from Romania.
I worked for international and local clients like Ferrero (Kinder), Samsung, Tic Tac, Red Cross, Holsten NA, Dacia, Romtelecom, BCR, Praktiker, Kinodiseea, BCR, Discovery Romania, Prigat, Absolut Vodka, Grolsch, Mighty Wallet.
Currently studying Communication and PR at SNSPA.
One summer I killed 2000 snails, and I recently threw this rock downhill.
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Mentions
> APAGE on the apocalypse
> Radio Guerilla on Rezumate Romanesti
> SUB25 on Rezumate Romanesti and more
> IQads on some projects and more
> ScrieLiber on myself
> Decat o Revista on Rezumate Romanesti
> Smark on youth built brands
> IQads on freelancing, and here again.
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Thank you
Inspired by pop culture and habits, folklore and myths, religion and tradition, science and everyday objects, steampunk stuff and music lyrics.
