Deke Smith — Portland, USA

“I just try to give each piece a unique or unexpected colour scheme,” says Deke Smith. “And hopefully, the image and colour come together to give the viewer a feeling, or mood. If that happens, then it’s serving its purpose.”

Based in Portland, Oregon, this 27-year-old designer and illustrator recently opened his own studio, specialising in art direction, design and illustration. At the moment, his palette has a decidedly retro, or nostalgic, air about it. But since he admits that his style is constantly changing, if you check out his work a few years from now, that may no longer be the case. One thing that won’t change, however, will be its originality.