Creative Minds: Nuno Alves believes creativity is less about knowing how to draw and more about strategic problem solving

Name: Nuno Alves

Place of origin: Lisbon, Portugal

Places lived and worked: Lisbon, Dubai, and Singapore.

Pronouns: He/him

CV:

• Independent global brand design leader

1. How did you end up being a creative?

When I understood that creativity does not require you to know how to draw. It's a strategic, problem-solving tool.

2. What’s your favourite piece of work in your portfolio?

The one I'll do next. “The future does not care how great one used to be.”

3. What’s your favourite piece of work created by someone else?

Responsive brand identity system for Rio Carnival 2022 by Tatil Design (Brazil). It’s a world first live brand that changes, evolves, and dances to the iconic samba music. It is a bold and super creative approach to branding. One that truly captures and reflects Brazil’s people, creativity, and vibrant culture.

4. What/who are your key creative influences?

The younger generation of creatives.

5. What's the craziest thing you've ever done?

Bringing children to the world.

6. Tell us about the worst job you ever had.

I landed a CD role that I fought so much to get; only to resign after my second week. A nightmare!

7. What really motivates you?

Creativity and design being able to make the world a better place

8. What’s your favourite music / film / TV show / book / other of the past year, and why?

Silo is a great story, told in a way that grabs you. The plot, the dialogue, the twists and turns, art direction, colour grading, casting, wardrobe, compositing visuals are absolutely perfect. Plus, this is a story that humans may have lived in the past (see the latest findings about pyramids) or may need to be prepared to live in the future—god forbid! Apple is elevating its production in ways we did not expect. Nonetheless, like most sci-fi dramas, at its essence we are always asking the same question: what makes us human and what is the tipping point that surfaces our animalistic behaviour?

Apple TV+ is yet another ‘iPhone moment’, this time in the broadcast industry. Also see Foundation, Constellation, Severance, or Dark Matter.

9. What food can you not live without? 

Grilled octopus in a pool of pure virgin olive oil. 

10. Tell us about your tattoo(s).

I lost my wedding ring and rushed to the nearest tattoo shop and tattooed one. There is zero chance of losing it again.

11. Cat person or dog person?

Both, but I have a cat (Edgar).