Born, raised, and immersed in a cultural and artistic environment would be the best way to describe André Garabedian and the passion he brings to his graphic design. The good fortune of having supportive family and several encouraging mentors along the way encouraged Andre's sense of style and care for the final result of any piece of artwork that has his name on it.
Growing up in the shadow of New York City — its pulse and creative energy helped foster Andre's creativity. Some of the earliest memories André has began with watching his grandfather paint simple yet beautiful landscape paintings. André marveled at what emerged from the canvas from such a tiny brush. Even the smell of the oil paint was powerful enough to create an aura of amazement and wonder for both subject matter and method. André would often ask questions of his grandfather, Vacil, about how to draw a car, a house or boat — just as grandpa had done. It wasn't obvious at the time, but André was getting his first art lessons — in color, perspective and spacial awareness. It was not just his grandfather who influenced Andre's passion early in life. In a strange way, Andre's Armenian heritage played an important role in his artistic sensibility. "Watching mom, my grandparents and family friends cook intricate Armenian foods — how they looked as well as tasted was something that really got my creativity going — again asking that question, 'How do you do that? How can I make it?'" Seeking creative excellence was emphasized and codified in Middle and High School. André came across teachers that fueled his artistic passions. They laid the groundwork in showing André that while math and science were important, there was a life beyond it — one where the creation of art can become your life's work. Honing his skills at the prestigious Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY, André graduated in 1993. Right out of college, he began working professionally for other companies but always seeking to find an avenue to begin his own freelance work. It did not take long before the projects would become the first clients for Filament Designs. By 2001 there were enough clients and projects for André to venture out on his own — making Filament Designs a full time studio! Since 2001 André has taken on countless design challenges bringing high quality solutions to his clients. |