Meeting of Styles France 2013 – A Unique Visual Identity Built in Real Volume
Meeting of Styles is one of the most recognized graffiti festivals in the world, bringing together artists from dozens of countries and creating a platform where urban art, cultural exchange, and large-scale murals coexist. Between 2012 and 2014, I had the opportunity to design the official visual communication for the French edition of the festival, while also participating in various Meeting of Styles events across Europe, including Wiesbaden Germany and London UK.
For the 2013 edition of Meeting of Styles France, I wanted to move away from traditional digital illustration and create a visual identity that would exist physically before becoming a graphic design project.
Instead of producing the artwork entirely on a computer, I built a large-scale three-dimensional model by hand. Measuring approximately one meter in height, this physical installation became the foundation of the official poster and communication campaign.
The objective was to create a visual that reflected the energy and diversity of graffiti culture while remaining unique among the many visual identities produced each year for international street art festivals.
The model incorporated numerous elements connected to both the festival and my own artistic universe. References to hip-hop culture were integrated through objects such as vinyl turntables, photography equipment, paint rollers, and various elements commonly associated with urban artistic practices.
I also included architectural references inspired by La Casa Musicale, the cultural venue hosting the French edition of Meeting of Styles. These architectural fragments were merged with mechanical and organic forms, creating a visual language already present in my personal work.
At the center of the composition, a sculpted hand and glove acted as visual anchors, connecting the various elements together. The result was a dense composition where urban culture, architecture, graffiti, music, photography, and contemporary art interacted within a single image.
Once the model was completed, it was professionally photographed and integrated into the graphic system created for the event. This process allowed the final poster to possess a tangible quality rarely found in event communication. Every shadow, texture, and volume visible in the visual actually existed in reality before becoming part of the graphic design.
The 2013 campaign continued the visual identity established for Meeting of Styles France 2012 while introducing a more ambitious and experimental approach. Maintaining continuity was important because a strong visual identity helps build recognition from one edition to another, particularly for an event with international visibility.
Beyond the official poster, I was responsible for creating a complete communication package for the festival. This included digital assets, promotional visuals, motion graphics, video content, and supporting communication materials used before, during, and after the event.
Meeting of Styles occupies a unique place in graffiti culture. Since its creation, the festival has connected artists from around the world, transforming public spaces into large-scale open-air galleries. Its international network has contributed significantly to the evolution and legitimization of graffiti and mural art within contemporary culture.
Designing communication for such an event requires more than simply creating an attractive image. The visual identity must communicate the spirit of the festival while speaking to artists, organizers, local communities, and visitors alike.
The 2013 visual remains one of the most distinctive projects I created for Meeting of Styles because of its entirely physical production process. Rather than relying exclusively on digital tools, it combined sculpture, installation, photography, graphic design, and visual storytelling into a single artwork.
Today, this project remains a testimony to a period when experimentation between physical and digital creation played a central role in my practice. It also reflects the creative freedom that Meeting of Styles offered artists and designers involved in the festival.
Through this project, I sought to create more than an event poster. The goal was to build a visual universe capable of representing the richness of graffiti culture while remaining faithful to my own artistic language.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Meeting of Styles France 2013?
Meeting of Styles France 2013 was the French edition of the internationally renowned graffiti and street art festival bringing together artists from around the world.
What was Alex Kanos’ role in the project?
Alex Kanos created the official visual identity, poster design, videos, promotional materials, and communication assets for the festival.
What makes the 2013 poster unique?
Unlike a traditional digital illustration, the visual was created from a large physical model built by hand and then photographed before being integrated into the final graphic design.
Where was the event held?
The French edition of Meeting of Styles 2013 was hosted at La Casa Musicale in Perpignan, France.
Why was a physical model used instead of a digital illustration?
The goal was to create a more unique and tangible visual identity by working with real volumes, textures, shadows, and objects before transforming them into graphic communication.