This is 10 Questions, an interview series where we get to know talented book cover designers a little better. Today, meet Kamil Rekosz. Kamil originally studied painting and drawing at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw. Now, he is a freelance graphic designer living in Warsaw, Poland. You can check out his personal portfolio site here.
1. Visually take us through your professional journey. Create a diagram that summarizes your career to date.
2. If you HAD to devote one day per week to a side hustle or creative pursuit, describe how you would spend that day.
Kamil Rekosz: I would probably paint more. Originally, I imagined myself as a painter, so I studied painting and drawing at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw. In the middle of my studies, I started teaching myself graphic design as a way of supporting myself financially, and somewhere along the way, design totally ousted painting. I guess I miss painting for its freedom and lack of boundaries.
3. When did you realise that you wanted to become a book cover designer?
Kamil Rekosz: During my studies, I had this idea that I would like to design posters for a living. They seemed to be the ideal fusion between art and graphic design. Back then, I was influenced by the so-called Polish Poster School and vintage designs by Tomaszewski, Młodożeniec, Świeży, etc. At that time, posters were already dying because of social media. I guess Facebook event covers replaced posters in a lot of cases. Then, one day I had this “epiphany” that a book cover is a miniature poster that is 3D. This seemed even better and more interesting – and what could be cooler than reading books all day and designing covers?
4. What’s your ideal auditory environment while working?
Kamil Rekosz: Music and podcasts help me focus. I alternate between music – which helps me enter the flow state – and podcasts, so I can rest my ears and learn something new.
5. If you’re a freelancer, what’s something that you miss about being in-house?
Kamil Rekosz: In Poland, there are no in-house designers in any of the publishing companies. The market is small, and the entire industry is based on freelancers who have relationships with editors. They hire you for specific covers, and you act as a designer, art director, illustrator, and photographer in one. So when I read about in-house design departments at Penguin or other famous publishing houses in the US or UK, I get envious! I would like to work with like-minded people on ambitious projects.
6. Do you use any tools besides the usual Adobe products? What are they!
Kamil Rekosz: I try to expand my toolbox all the time. Most of my ideas are based on a feeling or something rather abstract – like a vision of a scene sometimes not even related to the content I am reading. From that feeling, I try to decide which technique would be best for conveying that idea in its fullest. I would like to do more painted and hand-drawn designs in the future.
7. Spread good design. Who are some (non-book-cover) creatives that we should check out?
Kamil Rekosz:
Saul Leiter was a wonderful photographer, look at those colours, the composition! everything looks incredibly modern
M/M Paris amazing duo, perfect blend between art and design
Kenya Hara I highly recommend his books, Designing Design is a classic
Ibrahim Rayintakath is one of my favourite illustrators, love the textures and colour palette
8. Name one author you would love to design for before you retire.
Kamil Rekosz: Werner Herzog or Nick Cave!
9. What’s one creative skill you wish you had time to pursue so that you could incorporate it into future designs?
Kamil Rekosz: Hand lettering, definitely. My handwriting is really sloppy, and I would like to have more control over it so I could use it as a creative tool in my process.
10. The INABC Exit Question. You’re at a party and you just told a stranger that you’re a book cover designer. What’s the most common response you get from people when they hear this?
Kamil Rekosz: At first, there is that mild shock and realization on their faces that these things actually need to be designed and produced, and that a lot of work goes into it. After that, I usually get a lot of questions regarding the process and how I approach things.
