Evil Eyes and Endless Summers: How Greece Fuels This Designer’s Creative Flow

Creative Market Last updated: October 8, 2024 · 4 min read

Welcome to our Behind the Shop series, where we go beyond the screen to uncover the creative stories behind the shops on Creative Market. Today, we’re excited to spotlight Irene Demetri, a designer with over 200 products in her shop. Irene’s work is deeply inspired by the vibrant colors of her home country, Greece, and her designs often feature abstract and geometric elements. With a background in UI/UX design, she made a shift to creating digital resources, bringing a touch of summer and a love for intricate patterns to everything she creates. Let’s dive into her world and see how Greek landscapes, nature, and her artistic instincts influence the collections she offers.

What inspired you to pursue graphic design in the first place? What were you working on before?

I have always enjoyed being crafty and creative since I was a kid. Initially, I thought I should become an architect (back in the days when architectural drawings were done by hand) during high school, but fate had other plans, and I fortunately ended up studying graphic design, which I have loved and pursued throughout my entire career. I have been in the field for a little over 15 years now. One of the aspects I love about graphic design is the variety of roles one can explore.

Throughout my career, I have worked in various positions, with one of the longest being as a UI/UX designer, focusing on website building for several years. Eventually, I decided to change my path and started creating digital resources, which also offers a great deal of variety in what we can create.

When creating a new illustration or graphic pack, where does your creative process start? What inspires you?

My creative process often starts with drawing inspiration from a wide range of sources, even the most random aspects of my daily life. Inspiration can strike at any time, whether I’m away from my computer or engaged in other activities. Fashion trends, TV shows—especially those related to interior design and architecture—are significant sources of inspiration for me.

Nature is another big influence, whether it’s the beauty of flowers, greenery, or the sea.

Additionally, I love browsing the internet to explore the works of big brands, advertisements, and social media, which all contribute to my creative ideas.

How would you define your signature design style?

Ooh, that’s a hard question to answer! My design style has definitely changed—or, I want to believe, evolved—over the years. However, what I think always characterizes my work is the use of clear shapes and a rather minimalistic style, often focusing on abstract and geometric elements.

How has Greece as a setting inspired your work?

Greece has been a big source of inspiration for my work. The vibrant colors of the sea and sky, the intricate patterns found in ancient Greek art and architecture, all influence my designs. In many of my sets, especially as summer hits here, the influence of Greek colors—the sea, sun, and sky—is definitely obvious.

Summer is my favorite season, and I cannot help but express that through my designs. I hope these collections bring the summery vibes to whoever uses them.

Out of all the products you’ve designed, which one is your favorite and why?

As of today, I have approximately 200 products in my Creative Market shop, so there are many to highlight. However, I think my favorites are those featuring hand-drawn Evil Eyes. My preference for this motif is evident, as I have included it in multiple collections, such as the ones listed below:

What are the top 5 features/quality markers a customer should look for in a great pattern?

Here are my top 5 features that a customer should consider when evaluating a pattern design:

Image Quality: Opt for vector patterns that maintain crispness and clarity even when scaled up, ensuring high-quality results.
Seamless Repeat: Look for patterns that seamlessly tile across any surface without visible edges or interruptions.
Originality: Seek designs with a unique approach that can make your project distinctive and stand out from the crowd.
Versatility: Choose patterns that are adaptable for various applications, such as fabric printing, digital backgrounds, or packaging design, maximizing their utility.
Brand Compatibility: Ensure the pattern aligns with your brand’s identity and general aesthetic.