I´m a listener. My visual proposals
start with a concept that is adventorous,
bold and sophisticated but always
directed to the clients´ purposes.
Visual research is a crucial part of my
creative process. Understanding current
and past design trends are key to develop
a fresh approach. Furthermore, I like to
place a special emphasis on typography.
Strong typographical skills are the
scaffoldings of a sucessful design, that is,
when a design captures the attention
of its audience and speaks clearly.

I´m passionate. And I transfer this
passion and thrive for design to my students. Design without purpose is not
an option. Students are asked to do
research, hand drawing and colored
sketches while referencing their work.
Understanding the old design school
method is key to push creative
boundaries on today´s computer based
design. I have extensive experience as a
graphic and web design instructor as well
as calligraphy and typography in both
New York and Barcelona.

I´m professional. And I´m qualified
with a ten-year career as a designer for
print, new media and mobile platforms.
I have extensive experience managing
design teams, production departments
and coordinating graphic production.
I encourage creativity and seek new
perspectives based on my international
experience designing for broad
audiences in Europe and The United
States, whether collaborating with
corporations, multinationals or
medium-size design firms.

TYPEMANUEL IS
JOSÉ MANUEL VILLANUEVA

After graduating in Graphic Arts from Escola del Treball
in his native Barcelona, José Manuel Villanueva moved to
New York City, where he later earned a BFA in Graphic Design
& Multimedia from the City College of New York.
While in school, José Manuel focused his studies on classic and
contemporary art as well as graphic design and typography,
and he worked closely with several world-known designers,
like Ina Saltz and Alex White. José Manuel has always felt
inspired by his surroundings.

From creating a comic book on ilegal immigration to
developing the corporate identity of two award-winning
restaurants in New York, it is this inspiration that has driven
his graphic design work without lossing his Mediterranean
essence. He has taught graphic and web design in New York
and Barcelona, and worked as a Senior Designer and Production
Manager for the daily AM New York. José Manuel is currently
experimenting with Video Mapping and Exhibition Design Projects
as well as designing his first font.

WHAT´S UP WITH THE ACCENTS?
Using accents and tildes as inspiration.

The dichotomy between foreign and familiar has always been present in my life. I feel eminently Mediterranean but I´m exposed to different cultures. This is why I decided to adopt foreign tildes to infuse my AKA. Tildes represent diversity, nuance, detail and strength, all values I like to embrace when creating.

A short collection on how I started to design without knowing that I was actually designing. This gallery includes some of my first covers at elementary school, how I was used to take notes, sketches and also some freaky influences that nurtured me on my way from El Born in Barcelona to Manhattan.