Giannis Kiriazis is an independent graphic designer and performance artist, based in Athens–Greece. Distilling design to its essence, driven by the values of simplicity and authenticity. Communicating feelings through the science of semiotics. Connecting the past, the present and the future to discover thoughtful and meaningful ideas. Motivated by the words conceptual, abstract, distinctive, functional, innovative, timeless and ephemeral. Passionate about the sea and performance art.
Poster
2023
TH.IS ME (This is me) is the debut performance art of the group Retransform. The team composed and executed the project, as part of the independent art fair Platforms Project 2023 in Athens–Greece. The performance rests on the idea, that stepping away from daily routines fosters true self-discovery. The poster aims to capture this notion, arousing curiosity in the viewers and inviting them to embark on their own journey of self-discovery. The mirror as the composition’s centerpiece, manifests the concept of self-reflection. Serving as a visual metaphor, its placement is deliberate, thus encouraging viewers to engage in a symbolic dialogue with their own reflections. This immersive experience creates a lasting impression that extends beyond the obvious, reaching into the realm of personal contemplation.
Editorial
Remembrance of a past life
2025
Glimpses of the past light up the way ahead, guiding the spirit through the path of memories. Remembrance of a past life is a short experimental narative, unfolding stories of the past, inspired by the narrator’s spiritual experiences. The story follows a linear yet abstract sequence, where the present becomes a vessel for reminiscence, carrying the narrator back in time. To capture and express this elusive concept, the book emphasizes flowing typography combined with minimal imagery, arranged in various layouts and patterns. The use of color is deliberately limited to black and white, with intentional and thoughtful application that breathes meaning into the story’s rhythm. This approach attempts to visuallize the blured mind processes occuring during remembrance, aiming to a evoke a feeling of resonance.
Identity
2023
Established in 2023 by the performer and artist Magdalena Papanikolopoulou, Retransform is a contemporary art group fueled by the love and need for expression through performance art. The name, derived from the combination of the prefix re- and the word transform—reflecting the condition of perpetual transformation. The team collectively embraces this notion as it is inextricably linked to the performance art. The logotype employs a rhythmic typographic interplay, visualising the essence of re-transformation. Embracing the principle of movement, the design dynamically captures the sensation of a changing state, thus conveying both flux and continuity. This typographic approach stands as a visual parallelism to the captivating life cycle of a butterfly, mirroring the metamorphosis inherent in Retransform’s philosophy.
Logo
Newmoney
2021
Newmoney is one of the leading websites in Greece for business and financial market news. In 2015, the company established a partnership with Bloomberg to enrich the news they provide. The website has a similar look and feel to Bloomberg throughout the entire identity, including the logotype. In that case, a redesign deemed necessary to establish some level of differentiation. However, Newmoney requested to maintain the style and typeface of the existing logotype. Also, the creation of a symbol was essential to use in various applications. Following this request, the logotype went through some minor yet effective adjustments while maintaining its form. Thus, by implementing the minimum possible changes, Newmoney accomplished to renew its image without suppressing the style of the brand. Created as a designer at Cloudevo.
Posters
2024
This project was inspired by the life and work of Costas Balafas, a prominent Greek photographer renowned for documenting life in rural Greece. It is a poster series dedicated to his work “Tribute to Mother”, seeking to explore the deep, unbreakable bond and selfless love that a mother has for her offspring. Utilizing a limited color palette and a simplified grid, the design aims to push the boundaries of visual expression, capturing the essence of motherhood. The layout is guided by the principles of semiotics, weaving meaning through both graphic and typographic elements. Each poster represents a unique aspect of maternity. Disclaimer: All photographs used in this project are under the copyright © of their respective owners and are exclusively utilized for educational purposes. This is not a commercial project.
Editorial
Bauhaus: A brief introduction
2025
The Staatliches Bauhaus, commonly known as Bauhaus, was one of the most influential art schools in modern history, laying the foundation for contemporary design principles that continue to shape creative disciplines worldwide. This compact book serves as a brief introduction to Bauhaus, highlighting its history, societal impact, and design philosophy. It explores these fundamental aspects from both the school’s perspective and its role as a movement. The graphic elements and typographic compositions were influenced by the architecture of the iconic Dessau Bauhaus building, constructed in 1925 based on the plans of its founder, Walter Gropius. The book aims to present the essence of Bauhaus, offering readers an engaging experience that reflects the school’s long-standing legacy and influence in design.
Posters
Under the same god
2025
This work explores the shared heritage of the three major Abrahamic religions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam— which are unified by their belief in one transcendent God. Abraham’s covenant with God, traditionally seen as a pivotal moment in the development of monotheism, has shaped the spiritual and moral frameworks of these religions. The theological significance of the patriarch, conveyed through sacred texts such as the Hebrew Bible, the Christian Old Testament and the Quran, has impacted the development of distinct yet interconnected religious communities. While the interpretations of Abraham’s role differ, his influence on the Abrahamic religions remains undeniable. This project serves as a visual reminder of the enduring power of faith to unite rather than divide.
Poster
Visual Arts International Festival
2024
Don’t wish for change be the change. Poster entry for the 1st poster contest by Visual Arts International Festival, titled “Designing for change: Earth”. The objective of the contest, was to raise public awareness about enviromental sustainability and as the title suggests, inspire change. The concept of change in modern society appears, at best, unrealistic and utopian. It raises a significant question: is genuine change in such a sensitive topic truly possible, or is it merely an illusion fueled by people’s aspirations? As long as major corporations, primarily responsible for our planet’s crisis—continue capitalizing without accountability for the damage they cause, the earth will continue to suffer. Therefore, change becomes a purely personal responsibility, requiring individual voices to be amplified collectively.
Poster
Museum of Typography
2023
The Museum of Typography in 2023 announced the 7th International poster contest, titled “Planet Earth at the ecological crossroad”. The message of environmental awareness is required to reach as many of us as possible. Due to its opportunistic feeding habits, the seagull is a bird that is highly adaptable to new environments, thus ensuring its survival. Modern humans, however, unlike the seagull, are not characterised by their adaptability. On the contrary, they try to make the environment adapt to their needs, without regard for the impact on the ecosystem. The poster shows a flock of seagulls whose bodies are wind turbines. This flock symbolizes humanity on its journey towards a more sustainable future. The aim of the poster is to raise awareness by promoting renewable energy as a solution to save the planet. Shortlisted top 9.
Performance
TH.IS ME
2023
TH.IS ME (This is me) is live a performance inviting the audience to explore and discover their genuine self through a self-reflection experience. Oftentimes our daily routine works as a blindfold, obstructing us from exploring ourselves further than the obvious. Thus, a break from our everyday life is essential for genuine self-discovery. Following this idea, each performer sequentially unveiled aspects of their true selves, presenting their unique “This is me” while prompting the question, “Who are you?” to the audience. The mirror, as a medium, connects the artists and vividly embodies the concept of self-reflection, effectively communicating the idea. Retransform: M. Papanikolopoulou, G. Kiriazis, D. Therapioti, A. Koukouraki / Music: The house of Asterion / Video & Montage: F. Dritsakou, D. Therapioti / Poster & Visuals: G. Kiriazis.
Performance
TH.IS ME II
2024
In this interactive live act, the artists guide participants through a soul-cleansing experience designed to reveal their true selves through an engaging and atmospheric ritual. Performers holding small mirrors approach audience members to capture their reflections, symbolizing their souls. These reflections are then ceremonially cleansed in a central bowl of water, representing the purification of one’s inner self. The performers return the purified reflections, inviting participants to witness their true selves. Minimalist yet profound, this act underscores the importance of introspection, creating an immersive and transformative experience that fosters deeper self-awareness. Retransform: M. Papanikolopoulou, G. Kiriazis, D. Therapioti, A. Koukouraki / Music: The house of Asterion / Poster: G. Kiriazis.