Zsófia Vera
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“I am a designer, artist and writer invested in the creative representation of what moves us most.”
I help brands and creatives of all kinds define themselves through design. I translate ideas, missions and intentions into visual and verbal magic. I collaborate with fellow creatives in the journey towards birthing what is called to be made manifest through them.
I am dedicated to personal healing through art, and committed to using my own experience of surmounting the darkness as a tool for good.
I am driven by the desire for truth, meaning, connection, beauty and the manufacturing of hope in all I do. I am fuelled by love.”
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
I was always creative but I muted my voice for a long time as a result of the trials and tribulations of youthful torment.
My creativity got reignited in 2014 when I enrolled in a graphic design diploma in London and found a passion for hand lettering in the process.
After graduation, I was led to take on freelance projects focussed on print design (annual reports, brochures, informational flyers) and I had the chance to intern in some creative studios in London which helped me hone further the minute details of the creative process.
I moved back to France in 2016 where I continued to finesse my hand lettering skills while I welcomed in new projects. I was led to focus on serving local small businesses by helping them craft their online presence through building a website on Squarespace. As I invited my clients to reflect on what their brand is and what constitutes its mission, I noticed how much digging and deconstruction this process engendered, and I was inspired to hold space for, and facilitate, their journey towards the essence of the endeavour in question.
In 2018, I went through my own process of personal deconstruction and it inspired me to add an element of emotional healing to the creative process— when it is suitable for the project. As I've learnt to celebrate my own sensitivity, I yearn to encourage others to be kinder towards themselves. This means that an element of healing is always present in my work.
How do you stand out in your field?
Embracing my identity as a creative has obviously been an ongoing challenge steeped in discomfort—and with all kinds of doubts about whether my voice and style were indeed valid, or worthy.
As a result of learning to accept who I am and how I transmit the information that is processed through me, I’ve come to realise that the only way I can truly stand out is by striving to be authentically myself, in integrity with the values that I hold dear—one of which is a compassion towards others and myself.
In practice, I consider myself to be an attentive listener and, combined with deep empathy and intellectual curiosity, I stand out by my commitment to serving the work that I do—for myself and for others—with dedication and kindness.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
An epic love story that spans multiple books and is inspired by the correspondence between a young man and my 18 year old self, which I stumbled upon this summer and have been inspired to rework through design.
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?
I love being knee deep in typography and laying out information through a sense of architecture. I am tuned into how design and typography can sway understanding and provide an experience of receiving a message through layers and emotional beats that are punctuated by the content as much as the form.
An example of my work that represents this is a three part letter that I wrote to a film director in response to their film. I found a resonance with the triad of French, Hungarian and English/American upbringing that the director had experienced, which was similar to my own, so I wrote the letter in three languages, and expanded it into a printed book which I was able to send to them.
WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?
I am at my best when working with large amounts of text.
As a Hungarian-born, French-bred artist who has been thinking in English since the age of 10, I hold deep reverence for language and poetic / creative expression. I thrive in projects that require me to invest my attention in what I call the “architecture of information”, meaning the project of handling raw text as it is called to be sublimated through typography and design.
In short : give me all your reports and pamphlets and essays and poetry and manifestos to lay out in beautiful brochures, books, printed cards or landing pages and websites. I am here for it!
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
At the risk of sounding like a holier-than-thou individual, floating ethereal, ever so slightly above the ground, I do try to avoid feeling let down by circumstances.
Granted, I’m in a huge position of privilege in that I am able to live comfortably, so my troubles or frustrations are minor and more related to the existential dread that comes from enjoying a life of relative comfort.
One domain that I’m continually invested in is my personal growth, and perhaps at times I can feel disheartened by the occasional circling back to old patterns of thinking or behaving that do not serve me any more. Still, rather than berate myself, I try to take these “failings” in my stride and learn to keep moving forward.
As our relationship with ourselves is a template for our relationships with others and the world, I believe that this approach encourages me to perceive my environment and interactions with more detachment, encouraging me to nurture compassion and patience when things get out of whack. Needless to say, I don’t always succeed, but every time that I do feels like an opening towards more peace—within and without.
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
Please help me optimize my finances or my SEO! Thank you!
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
I’d go visit my nine year old self, and tell her :
“Things are about to change.
It might get dark for a while, but light will come. Light always comes. Challenges will never stop greeting you, but if you learn to release control and ride with the punches with as much grace as you can muster, you’ll reach a clearing, every once in a while, where a glorious light washes away all the pain.
Tend to your creativity—it is your gift. Don’t give it up and don’t ever apologise for it, or minimise its value. It is you, it is who you are. You’ll learn to rely on yourself and trust the journey. Hard times will make you stronger.
You are divinely guided, always. There are forces watching over you at all times. You’ve got this. I know this is a lot for your small head to take in, but you will remember this and, at times, it will save you from doing irreparable damage.”
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
SEO and all sorts of precise technological and mathematical domains that my creative brain glosses over—while still acknowledging the beauty of a language I do not understand.
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
Here’s the thing. I am invested in your project with my full heart.
The energy of the work that I do for you becomes imprinted on me as I tend to it—and I am committed to protecting my energy in order to serve you and others optimally.
Therefore, I will no longer be accepting projects that harbour any harm towards the world, be that directly or indirectly.
I welcome in projects that hold a resonance of healing, positive contribution, inspiration and education. Tangibly, I am eager to translate your message and vision into posters, prints, books, brochures, pamphlets, websites, visual identities, manifestos and any outlet that combines visual intelligence with inspired verbal might.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.
I believe in collaborations that honour each party’s values.
Creative work, for me, offers a way of honouring the depths that we hold. Therefore, I expect the people that I work with to show up fully to the project, as I do too. In order for me to translate your idea into something meaningful, impactful and representative of your intentions, we may have to dig deep.
I will ask many questions, some of which may be uncomfortable. While I love pretty things as much as the next person, I don’t believe in reproducing something that you enjoy aesthetically just because it looks or feels “nice”. Pretty things without substance fade in time. You want your project to last. You want to touch people.
What I seek in a collaboration is honesty, reliability and integrity. This will benefit us both. Every project is an exchange and I strive to be on an equal footing with those I work with.
Who is a creative that has helped you elevate your work?
Writing : Tom Sharp at The Poetry Of It All has inspired me to go all in with my writing. Tom has self published several poetry pamphlets that are unique in style and content and there is a deep care in honouring language through the design that really resonates with me.
Lettering : Jenna Blazevich at Vichcraft has a unique and powerful style that nourishes me deeply. She uses her skills for good, promoting messages of empowerment, unity and self-acceptance with her beautiful creations.
Personal Growth : I have been very grateful for the work that astrologer for social change Virginia Rosenberg has done. Her courses and Moon readings never fail to offer guidance on the shifts that may be occurring in the personal and professional realms. I also love Lindsay Mack’s Tarot for the Wild Soul platform and podcast. She delves into the resonance that we may find in Tarot in a way that is steeped in deep compassion and inclusivity.
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
Write to me at hello@zsofiavera.com with the outline of your idea, what you wish to achieve with it and why you think I could help you manifest it.
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
I keep my body, mind and soul well nourished with exercise, meaningful connection with others, sleep and dream journaling, long walks in nature and the occasional switching off to enjoy terrible shows on Netflix.
This member profile was originally published in June 2021, Updated November 2021.