We talk a lot about what type of design work we value on our site — functional, memorable and above all, original. A few months ago we decided to put our money where our mouth is and began a $9,999 contest in search of the prized Platypus, a designer whose work exemplifies the qualities we seek.
Without further adieu, meet dialfredo — the man behind the bespectacled, duck-billed character we all came to know.
Jose Alfredo Garcia Flores – Guzmán, Mexico
99designs handle: dialfredo
Projects won: 9
Alfredo lives and works in Guzmán, a picturesque city known as the “Athens of Jalisco” for its rich artistic history. Alfredo’s design skills flourished in this environment, beginning with doodles and evolving into a distinctive brand of simple, retro emblems.
“A blank sheet of paper contains so many possibilities to discover,” he says.
His designs, such as his logo for Oceanic Studios and Cassowary Press, bring maximum emotion and intrigue out of carefully detailed, monochrome images. A form as whimsical and imaginative as a giant bird in high-heeled shoes is sufficient — no need for loud colors, 3D effects or fancy gradients.
“I like working with one color or at most two,” Alfredo says. “I imagine a story that has movement, that is functional in form and has meaning.”
Alfredo’s unique style brought him success right away on 99designs; he won the first contest he entered in June, 2011. Still, Alfredo did not in the least expect that he could be The Platypus. He found out the same way everyone else did — by casually checking the blog.
“I read the article many times and thought, ‘could this be serious?’ I couldn’t sleep all night because of the impression,” he recalls.
Our questions for Alfredo seemed to be endless but there was one we simply had to know: what did he plan to do with his $9,999 prize?
It turns out Alfredo has a passion for photography in addition to graphic design and has some big, exciting projects in mind. “I would like to hold an exhibition of photographs of the human figure, animals and textures… experimenting with poses, lighting and abstraction.” He hopes to develop his design work through these photographic explorations, as well.
Five years down the road, Alfredo simply hopes “to have a stable job and to continue participating in this [99designs] community.”
He has a few words of advice for his fellow designers: “Do not lose your sense of wonder. Take some time between designing to take a walk, play sports or shoot pool.” Other than that, “perseverance, patience and discipline.”
We wish Alfredo another congratulations and invite you to do the same in the comments!
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Brilliant work ! So clean and so “delicious” :)
Best luck to you !!!
Felicidades Alfredo!!!!! Bien merecido!! Coincido con Maka y me siento feliz de que un paisano muestre su talento y su calidad al mundo, enhorabuena!!!!
My favorite back when the Platypus was yet to be chosen… :)
Great works, once again. Keep up the good work.
Amazing work!
congratz!! great work
I agree with Meka, very clean
Wow..my eyes can’t even blinked. His work is out of the box and “Oceanic Studios” deserved get more than just $200, yeah..$9,999‼
So, what’s next?
Congrats, Alfredo! Stunning work!
Alfredo, you have a big fan here!!! Congrats!
I am a fan of Ulahts, Since a Guru is a fan, i am a fan too.
KIDDING.. i really am your Fan. AWESOME WORKS.
“Oceanic Studios” was a fav of mine for the designer of the month.
CONGRATS!!
I like your unique style.
very unique!
Hello good day
I appreciate the comments.
That I’m glad you like my design
Thank you very much to all
Greetings to all.
teri ma ki chut bhen k lore
Congrats… :)
Hi
Really it’s so much powerful design contest.
True brilliance. Respect for you my friend!
WAH…! GREAT WORK. CONGRATS Alfredo!