citylikeyou — Salamanca / Xavi Garcia

Graphic designer from Salamanca, whose work reconciles classical motifs with the global concourse. After studying at Central Saint Martins, London, and with experience in New York City and Barcelona, Xavi now works from his hometown, a medieval city of golden stone located in the mid-West of Spain.

http://www.equisgarcia.com

Designer

Current city: Salamanca

equisgarcia.com

Salamanca / Place

Walls in some of the buildings surrounding the University are fully covered with this medieval form of graffiti called Vitor. Meaning victory, and dating as far back as the 14th century, they celebrate a student's graduation with a Doctorate. Traditionally painted using bull's blood (now with a less-controversial, less-charming synthetic pigment) it's interesting to see all the different variations on the same theme.

Salamanca / River

I enjoy riding my bike alongside the river, or sitting barefoot on the grass with a good read. Views include (within 100 meters) a Roman bridge, a Gothic-Baroque cathedral and a Modernist house with a mind-blowing stained-glass façade. A walk at night (with all these buildings illuminated) is mesmerizing, and in summertime it is also possible to rent a little boat and navigate the river.

Salamanca / Place

This medieval vault (attributed to Fernando Gallego) is one of my favorite places in the city to think. Set in a dark chamber, with only this piece on display and soft classical music playing on the background, colors seems to start changing every minute you spend there. By the time you leave the room, you will feel like you just returned from a different era.

Salamanca / Museum

In a city with such a big presence of historical landmarks, the fact that the contemporary museum is housed in the former city jail seems rather ironic—a lounge bar is also quite fittingly located on the jail's patio. Conserving most of the old elements from its former use, the space is always worth visiting, even if it's only to interact with this wonderful permanent installation by Mona Hatoum. The piece, located in room 4, repurposes the cell's doors to form a revolving door without exit.

Salamanca / Village

These two small mountain villages make for the perfect city escape in either summer or winter. I like to wander around the narrow, cobbled streets, cosy up in one of the many restaurants and cafés and look at the local craftsmen work in their shops. Not far away there's a mountain topped with a monastery—a great place to enjoy of a good dose of fresh air and serenity. Amazing views of the area don't hurt either.

Berlin / Designer

Hayo Gebauer is an industrial designer whose works reflect on the mundane object. A quirky fascination for order or subtle references to known archetypes are among the shape defining details. He lives in Berlin and works on self-initiated and commissioned projects.

Munich / Designer

Furniture and object designer.

Berlin / Designer

Terhedebrügge is a Berlin based design studio founded by graphic designer Antonia Terhedebrügge and furniture designer Silvia Terhedebrügge. With their work they connect two and three dimensional layers and combining it with a quite clear, conceptual and graphical arise. They do furniture projects as well as graphic design projects - in cooperation with manufactures, cultural institutions, brands, industry, designers and friends.

Zürich / Designer

Swiss Industrial Designer working in Zurich and Los Angeles.

Los Angeles / Designer

Matt Asato-Adams is a graphic designer and researcher interested in the relationship between the body, the self, and technology. He recently graduated from ArtCenter College of Design with a BFA in Graphic Design. His practice often investigates the intersection of culture, design, and technology; taking the form of publication design, spatial media, and performance. By embracing the accidental nuances with experimentation and process, he uses design as a tool for speculation and inquiry. His work has been shown at ArtCenter College of Design's 5th floor gallery, Wind Tunnel Gallery, and Prenzlauer Studio / Kunst-Kollektiv.

More Designers