Assignement 3 Part 2 Vol. 1

Greece is for lovers of witty and innovative product design.
November 1st, 2009



Gathering inspiration from your surroundings seems to be a common starting point for most creatives. Gathering inspiration from surroundings, cultural stereo types and adding a slightly ironic sense of humour can begin to explain the unique designs emanating from the Athens based studio Greece is for lovers.

The trio of Vasso Damkou, Thanos Karampatsos and Christina Kotsilelou make up the uber cool product design company that is part of the evolving face of the new Athenian creative culture. Their unique designs and indeed their name is a reference to the kitsch and cliché Greece the world has long remembered. From curtains that map out traditional Tsamiko dancing, to the brilliant ‘Tougher then Leather’ skateboard commissioned for 7ply Project Exhibition the company has gone from strength to strength and are the poster children for the citys’ new image.

'Tougher than Leather' - G.I.F.L

Since the 2004 Olympic games, Athens has experienced a cultural boom that is placing the city in contest with its European neighbours. Not only has the New Acropolis Museum provided a symbol for the country’s cultural renaissance, smaller more niche studios and artists have begun to present themselves on the world design stage. Amongst them are; Poor Designers a collective of young graphic designers working out of Athens, Kostas Voyatzis, founder of the design website yatzer.com and of course Greece is for Lovers. Their studio is located just outside the Plaka district which is known as the place where old Athens, new Athens, tourism and culture clash. This particular combination is at the basis of most of their works. Taking elements from Greece’s classical aesthetic, mixing it with the country’s casual culture and adding their own unique brand of humour, Greece is for Lovers have contributed to the vibrancy that seems to be fueling the city.

The name Greece is for Lovers is a play on the slogan ‘Greece is for Greeks’ which, along with the rise of populist leader Andreas Papandreou marked the unofficial beginning to reclaiming the Elgin Marbles an issue that has plagued the cultural identity of Greece for the past few decades. According to Vasso Damkou ‘Greeks don’t like to work; we prefer to chat up tourists in the afternoons, indulge in huge meals afterwards and smash plates.’1

Whilst some may still have this perception of Greece, Damkou, Karampatsos and Kotsilelou have combined the stereotype, added a 'tongue in cheek' comic aesthetic and injected into their products. Mugs with ‘Athens Sucks’ displayed as a parody of the infamous ‘I heart NY’ logo and a set of plates title ‘Greece Vs China’ that look like they have been smashed and reset are proof that despite constant reminders of the glory days of classical Greece or the lazy sun loving image perceived by the rest of the world, Athens has a new love of innovative and witty creative talent.

'Greece Vs Chine' - G.I.F.L
'Opa Curtains' - G.I.F.L