Meet Macarena Fatne | Graphic Designer & Painter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Macarena Fatne and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Macarena, what are you inspired by?
I am inspired by nature—its sounds, textures, combinations, seasons, moments, botany, and birds (I practice birdwatching) or animals in general. Music also inspires me; I always listen to music while working, and it helps me concentrate, bringing me ideas, words, and sensations that serve to imagine and make associations. Going for a walk and sitting in a café to read also inspire me. Watching the sky, sipping coffee, making some drawings or sketches disconnects me from the computer and allows me to reconnect with paper and my body, so I can then bring those ideas back into the world. Additionally, I find inspiration in reading and talking with other artists, designers, musicians, and so on, about practice and life.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
When I was young, I was a little worried because I liked so many different disciplines and subjects. I was curious about everything, and it seemed like a problem to me. However, one of the things I am proud of is that in my work, I can use this curiosity to my advantage by exploring other worlds, disciplines, and more. For example, I had the opportunity to design an editorial for a Passover Seder, create an archive of Argentine fashion advertisements from the 1990s, work on personal diaries, develop brand identities for a sustainable tourism agency, and produce books for photographers and painters.

I enjoy working with diverse people and projects that stimulate my creativity, ensuring that I never get bored. I like my work to be very personal, from communication and meetings to hands-on tasks. I strive to maintain a very human touch in my follow-ups, which I believe sets my work apart. The challenges that arise often push me out of my solitary work to seek collaboration with other colleagues, complementing my skills with those who can help me solve these challenges.

The lesson I am continuously learning is to be honest and straightforward. Communication is key: understanding, listening, and considering others and their timelines. I still have a lot to learn.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The best places in Buenos Aires to travel with my best friend, I think, include:

– Eating an asado at my parents’ house and enjoying the sky and the birds there.
– Visiting the Museo de Ciencias Naturales, the market, and the green space at Parque Centenario. We can explore history, buy vinyl records and vintage items at the market, and then have coffee near the plaza.
– Okiren: a sushi restaurant in the Okinawense Centre. It’s beautiful and the food is delicious.
– Another one of my favorite restaurants is Grand Dabbang, which offers incredible Indian food.
– We could also see a music show or go to a bar, depending on which DJ is playing that week. Perhaps Deseo would be a good choice for a nightclub.
– Taking a bike ride around the city is a must. Recoleta is a great spot for this, especially along Avenida Libertador and Avenida Alcorta, near the parks and lakes of Palermo.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I believe it is thanks to my loved ones that, in moments when my neurosis and high standards become a black cloud that prevents me from seeing or thinking clearly, they always have good advice to give me. On the other hand, there are several people who have appeared in my life who have been very helpful and taught me a lot through art or therapy. For example, a couple of adults I met about four years ago taught me transcendental meditation. Although I still struggle to make it a daily habit, their lessons helped me think creatively about life and processes in general. These experiences greatly aid in getting to know oneself and the world. Additionally, FADU, the institution where I studied, deserves my deepest gratitude. I am also grateful to the clients and projects that placed their trust in me. I’m sure I’m forgetting many anecdotes and specific individuals.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maca.viva/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/macarena-fatne/

Other: https://www.instagram.com/konk_estudio/ https://www.behance.net/macarenafatne 

Image Credits
Martin Pisotti, Mariano Nocitto, Catalina Romero, Felix Niikado