Animation Reel
Biography Interview
Tiago Galo is an illustrator from Portugal, currently based in Lisbon. His career began by collaborating on small fanzines and exhibitions, before completing his architecture degree at Universidade Técnica de Lisboa. In 2011, he won the prestigious Amadora BD competition for best comic. Despite working as an architect for several years, he eventually felt a pull back towards his true passion and returned to illustration. In 2021, he was recognized as one of the winners of the Bologna Children's Book Fair Illustration Exhibition. Today, Tiago works as a freelance animator and illustrator, serving a diverse range of clients including The Hollywood Reporter, National Geographic, Google, GQ, Vogue, and many more.
Awards
Bologna Children’s Book Fair 2021 Illustration Winner
Career Milestones
Getting an illustration published for the first time on a major magazine. Having illustrated my first children’s book back 2017. Starting to paint large-scale murals.
Read moreTiago Galo in the Spotlight
Tiago Galo
Illustrating the future
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Your pronouns:
He – Him
How do you define your identity? Do you identify with (or advocate for) any marginalized communities?
I look at myself as someone who stands with equal human rights without distinction of race and gender.
Where is home?
Where Family and Friends are.
Describe your style of illustration in one sentence.
Uncomplicated and colourful, featuring geometric shapes and exaggerated proportions
What lights your soul on fire?
Kindness in every possible way.
What themes do you enjoy exploring?
I tend to observe people a lot everywhere I go, and the stories emerge from there, like how did that guy get that stain on his shirt, or which subway station will the middle-aged couple get off at.
What techniques do you use?
Mostly Digital, even though I can’t let go the Analogue (paper and pencil) while on brainstorming mode.
How much of yourself and your own story can we see in your work?
There’s this clueless expression on my characters, that reflect the way I’m usually trying to figure out stuff. From trivial things like what do you call a male lady bug to more meaningful things like what did I have for lunch yesterday.
Is there an unmistakable thread in your creative work?
Yes. I am particularly drawn to subjects that explore the somehow the surreal place. My style is characterized by bold, and over sized shapes with vivid colour paleSes, which helps create a cohesive body of work.
What do you want to be known for?
For being someone who always gave his best.
Which projects excite you most?
The ones that allow me to explore the universe where my characters live in. I love projects that challenge me to push my imagination to the unknown.
What is your dream gig?
Something that can make a positive impact on people at a large scale.
Where, when and how do you best create?
At my home-studio, enjoying Dreampop music knowing that there ́s something exciting ahead.
How has your style evolved since you started?
Yes, I came a long way!
What do you find most challenging in your practice or in the illustration industry?
Stay true to myself and believe in my work. These are fast times and nowadays there’s a lot of pressure do be trendy and produce hype without much substance.
How as being an illustrator changed your life?
I get to say that Illustration is like a boomerang in my life. As a kid I wanted to be an illustrator and animator, but somehow I leW that behind and became an architect. Long story short, I got unhappy and finally got back to do what I always dreamt.
Name a tool you can’t live without!
My Curiosity.
Tell us about a project you worked on that was meaningful to you as an artist.
I got to paint three large-scale murals at Casa da Moeda building (Coin House) in Lisbon. That challenged me not only by physically but especially artistically, since is something that prevails as landmark for the Institution and it’s legacy.
What influences or inspires your art?
Anything can be inspiring if you look from the right point of view.
What would you tell your younger self?
Believe in yourself, no maSer what anyone says.
Why do you think art speaks louder than words?
Humans started drawing, even before they started talking. So, definitely yes.