Alexis Marcou
Alexis Marcou is a visual artist known for his commercial and self initiated work. His works "are complete with a set of dynamic shattered and distorted lines, the influence of which can arguably be traced back to cubism, which is a regular point of reference for Marcou’s work". He has been doing freelance work for clients including powerhouses such as Nike, Inc., Air Jordan, Cisco, Atomic Skis, Hewlett Packard, Gatorade and Acco Brands.
Early life and education
Marcou was born in Greece and was raised in Larissa. He was educated at Plymouth College of Art in the Uk and was awarded a Bachelor of Arts in Photomedia and Design Communication in 2006. In 2007 he started doing freelance work and since he has been steadily emerging as a commercial visual artist.
Style
Marcou’s illustration style is known for the use of intricate shading, geometric lines using mainly graphite. Passionate about fine and contemporary art, he tries to capture dynamic motion while avoiding repetition. His techniques combine a mix of traditional methods with digital art. According to Computer Arts magazine "there's a visceral quality to Alexis Marcou's sketch-style illustration work that really speaks of his ability to capture a living moment with his pencil." Marcou says his style has "evolved gradually into a more cubic and expressive style."
Selected works
Early works
Alexis has been drawing from an early age. After his studies in 2006 he began to merge his drawing the digital software. One of his most important works that marked his style is the Panda series that was created in 2008. Later on that year This is a Limited Edition (formerly: Click for Art) included the Panda series in their gallery that where sold as limited edition prints. Designed the album cover for Mau band - ‘backseat love songs’
2010-2013
In 2010 Nike, Inc approached Marcou to design an illustration of a skull, a recreation of the Just Do It slogan and the Swoosh logo in his own signature style.
Alexis took part in an exhibition where he had to design one illustration for Dacs United (Designers Against Child Slavery) which is a non profit nonprofit organization that is against sex trafficking and the sexual exploitation of children. He continued to contribute every year for them in creating three illustrations in total. The exhibitions where held across the United States (Columbia, South Carolina and New York). Alexis also did work for Pencils of Promise back in 2011 for a nonprofit organization that builds schools.
in 2011 Hewlett Packard commissioned Alexis to design three illustrations that where used as desktop backgrounds for their 2012 laptops. In 2011 he designed the Nike Lion for Galatasaray S.k football club and in that year he also worked on two more projects with Nike, Inc. In 2012 Alexis was approached by Slang Inc, a New York based design firm and was commissioned to design the new Foot Locker House of Hoops footwear wall graphics for Nike, Inc. In June he was commissioned by to illustrate four portraits of members of the Animal Collective band and a portrait of Christian Louboutin for the Nylon Guys September issue. Later on he designed a portrait of Philip Glass for the November issue. During that year he was commissioned by Mutabor to design an illustration of a futuristic trade fair stand for Bmw. In that year he also designed five Snowboards for Endeavor Snowboards. The defender font which was featured in was created for Nike, Inc. and was part of a project done for the Major League Baseball. During 2013 Alexis designed the album cover for Phase, 'The Wait' and their single Point of You. It is believed that Alexis frequently uses the Golden ratio in his designs. 'The Wait' album is a strong example. This cover album was also featured on Rooms Magazine.
In 2013 Freefly Systems commissioned Marcou to design their trade show display for the Nab Show in Las Vegas. Later on that year he was approached by Mccann Erickson for Boehringer Ingelheim to design seven illustrations each of which depicted a different perspective of a great horned owl holding the Hepatitis-C in its talons. During spring he worked with Derwent on various illustrations which where used on product packaging such as limited edition pencil cases.
In March, 2012 Atomic Skis commissioned Marcou to design their next Atomic Automatic which was produced later in 2013. According to Atomic Skis Website "It is a premium mountain model and the favourite of Sage Cattabriga-Alosa and Dana Flahr". The ski was also featured in the front cover of Powder Magazine in the September, 2013 issue. In the following years 2013-14 Alexis worked with Atomic in designing graphics for the ‘Vantage series’, 'Backland series' that consisted five skis in each series, the ‘Automatic 102’ and on the 'Nomad'.
2014-present
In 2014 Marcou worked in a project with &Reach and for Gatorade. The work involved approximately 10 illustrations that where used for promotional, marketing and advertising activities across the world for the Fifa world cup. During that year he also worked on multiple projects with Nike. In 2015 Alexis completed designing the wall graphics for the executive offices at Nike Inc. headquarters. The project began in 2013.
Bibliography (selection)
Early life and education
Marcou was born in Greece and was raised in Larissa. He was educated at Plymouth College of Art in the Uk and was awarded a Bachelor of Arts in Photomedia and Design Communication in 2006. In 2007 he started doing freelance work and since he has been steadily emerging as a commercial visual artist.
Style
Marcou’s illustration style is known for the use of intricate shading, geometric lines using mainly graphite. Passionate about fine and contemporary art, he tries to capture dynamic motion while avoiding repetition. His techniques combine a mix of traditional methods with digital art. According to Computer Arts magazine "there's a visceral quality to Alexis Marcou's sketch-style illustration work that really speaks of his ability to capture a living moment with his pencil." Marcou says his style has "evolved gradually into a more cubic and expressive style."
Selected works
Early works
Alexis has been drawing from an early age. After his studies in 2006 he began to merge his drawing the digital software. One of his most important works that marked his style is the Panda series that was created in 2008. Later on that year This is a Limited Edition (formerly: Click for Art) included the Panda series in their gallery that where sold as limited edition prints. Designed the album cover for Mau band - ‘backseat love songs’
2010-2013
In 2010 Nike, Inc approached Marcou to design an illustration of a skull, a recreation of the Just Do It slogan and the Swoosh logo in his own signature style.
Alexis took part in an exhibition where he had to design one illustration for Dacs United (Designers Against Child Slavery) which is a non profit nonprofit organization that is against sex trafficking and the sexual exploitation of children. He continued to contribute every year for them in creating three illustrations in total. The exhibitions where held across the United States (Columbia, South Carolina and New York). Alexis also did work for Pencils of Promise back in 2011 for a nonprofit organization that builds schools.
in 2011 Hewlett Packard commissioned Alexis to design three illustrations that where used as desktop backgrounds for their 2012 laptops. In 2011 he designed the Nike Lion for Galatasaray S.k football club and in that year he also worked on two more projects with Nike, Inc. In 2012 Alexis was approached by Slang Inc, a New York based design firm and was commissioned to design the new Foot Locker House of Hoops footwear wall graphics for Nike, Inc. In June he was commissioned by to illustrate four portraits of members of the Animal Collective band and a portrait of Christian Louboutin for the Nylon Guys September issue. Later on he designed a portrait of Philip Glass for the November issue. During that year he was commissioned by Mutabor to design an illustration of a futuristic trade fair stand for Bmw. In that year he also designed five Snowboards for Endeavor Snowboards. The defender font which was featured in was created for Nike, Inc. and was part of a project done for the Major League Baseball. During 2013 Alexis designed the album cover for Phase, 'The Wait' and their single Point of You. It is believed that Alexis frequently uses the Golden ratio in his designs. 'The Wait' album is a strong example. This cover album was also featured on Rooms Magazine.
In 2013 Freefly Systems commissioned Marcou to design their trade show display for the Nab Show in Las Vegas. Later on that year he was approached by Mccann Erickson for Boehringer Ingelheim to design seven illustrations each of which depicted a different perspective of a great horned owl holding the Hepatitis-C in its talons. During spring he worked with Derwent on various illustrations which where used on product packaging such as limited edition pencil cases.
In March, 2012 Atomic Skis commissioned Marcou to design their next Atomic Automatic which was produced later in 2013. According to Atomic Skis Website "It is a premium mountain model and the favourite of Sage Cattabriga-Alosa and Dana Flahr". The ski was also featured in the front cover of Powder Magazine in the September, 2013 issue. In the following years 2013-14 Alexis worked with Atomic in designing graphics for the ‘Vantage series’, 'Backland series' that consisted five skis in each series, the ‘Automatic 102’ and on the 'Nomad'.
2014-present
In 2014 Marcou worked in a project with &Reach and for Gatorade. The work involved approximately 10 illustrations that where used for promotional, marketing and advertising activities across the world for the Fifa world cup. During that year he also worked on multiple projects with Nike. In 2015 Alexis completed designing the wall graphics for the executive offices at Nike Inc. headquarters. The project began in 2013.
Bibliography (selection)
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