Nicholas Smyrnios (surname indicating a Smyrna origin), was born in Edessa, Greece and grew up in the historic city of Thessaloniki, surrounded by Greek, Roman and Byzantine antiquities. From such a classical environment, he  found himself in a totally different place in his early twenties, when he emigrated to Stockholm and started his studies at the National University College of Art and Design, considered the ultimate incubator of Scandinavian modernism.
These different environments and the cultures they represent left a strong imprint on Smyrnios’s artistic profile, who dedicated the first years of his artistic career to finding paths and bridges between them, in order to define his own identity. The body of the work he has produced since then is characterized both by his passion for the vast Greek cultural heritage, as well as by his devotion for the latest modernist movements and trends.
 
Working in relevant professional and academic environments in both Sweden and Greece, he gained valuable experience and exceptional skills which have been reflected in his long-lasting creative activity. 
Engaged as a graphic designer as well as a teacher in applied arts education for more than 30 years, Smyrnios managed to establish his artistic identity as a “child of his time”, interacting continuously with the modern spirit and new media, adapting and discarding the elements of the Zeitgeist. 

Education

Degrees
  • University College of Art and Design, Stockholm, Sweden (Konstfackskolan). Diploma in Graphic Design and Illustration, MA equivalent, five-year degree, (1974-1977, 1979-1981).
  • Grafiska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. Highest Diploma in Graphic Arts, two-year degree (1977-1979).
Other studies
  • Intaglio Printmaking. Training Program for Professional Artists. Stockholm, Sweden (1983).
  • Radio Program Production. Sweden’s National Radio, Stockholm (1983).
  • Stage Design. Stockholm University Open Courses, (1985).
  • Computer Graphics. Consortium for Graphic Information Technology in Europe, Athens, Greece. (1989).

academic awards

  • Winner of a two-year full Scholarship appointed by the Swedish Institute for studies and research in Sweden (1978-1980).

creative work

Collaboration with companies and organizations of a wide range, in Sweden and Greece:
  • 1975, Dagens Nyheter, (Sweden’s biggest daily newspaper), Stockholm.
  • 1976, 1977 Saxon & Lindströms, Publishing Company, Stockholm.
  • 1978, Åhlen & Åkerlund, Publishing Company, Stockholm.
  • 1978-1983, Greek Federation of Sweden, Stockholm: Art Direction and Illustration of publications – design of posters.
  • 1979, National Broadcasting Corporation of Sweden, Stockholm: Illustrations for Children’s Television series and design of posters.
  • 1981, Stockholm’s Social Management: Graphic design and illustration of informational brochures regarding different social issues.
  • 1983-1985, Lucid Information LTD, Advertising Company, Stockholm: Graphic design and Illustration.
  • 1987-1990, Greek Association for Local Development and Management, EETA, Athens: Art direction and design of publications.
  • 1990, Editorial Illustrations for the Greek Editions of Playboy Magazine and Marie Claire, Athens.
  • 1990, Technical Chamber of Greece, Athens: design of posters.
  • 1992, National Theatre of Northern Greece, Thessaloniki: Brochure design.
  • 1993, Museum of the Macedonian Struggle, Thessaloniki: Brochure design.
  • 1994, Helexpo, Greek Organization of Trade Fairs, Thessaloniki: Logotype and brochure design.
  • 1995, Public Power Corporation, Thessaloniki: Brochure design.
  • 1996, University of Macedonia, Thessaloniki: Brochure design.
  • 1997-1999, Proline, Advertising Company, Thessaloniki: Art direction, visual communication, design of corporate identities and company profiles, campaign media planning and management.
  • 1999-2005, European Centre of Byzantine Monuments, Thessaloniki: Publication design.
  • 2004 -2005, Municipality of Thermi, Thessaloniki: Production of animated videos, promoting municipality’s blood donation campaign.
  • 2006, Municipality of Kilkis, Northern Greece: Logo design.
  • 2008, Technological Educational Institution of Western Macedonia, Kozani: Logo design.
  • 2011, University Studio Press Publications, Thessaloniki: Book Cover Design.
  • 2019, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, School of Primary Education: Logo design, congress poster and brochure design.

Exhibitions

  • 1978, 7th International Poster Biennale of Warsaw, Poland.
  • 1979, 3rd International Poster Biennale of Lahti, Finland.
  • 1981, International Poster Competition of ATM (Public Transportation Organization), Milan, Italy. Second Prize winner.
  • 1982, Gallery Mati, Stockholm, Sweden.
  • 1983, Kulturhuset Cultural Center, Stockholm, Sweden.
  • 1984, Greek-Swedish Art Symposium, Vätö, Sweden.
  • 1986, Major Exhibition of Contemporary Greek Art in Athens, organised by the Greek Ministry of Culture to support the restoration of the monumental murals in Mexico.
  • 1991, International Exhibition Coup de Lune, Paris, France.
  • 2000, Fleming Gallery, Thessaloniki, Greece.
  • 2001, German Institute Goethe of Thessaloniki, Computer Animation and Digital Art Show “Archetypes”
  • 2005, Fleming Gallery, Thessaloniki, Greece.
  • 2011, Pallini Hotel Gallery, Polychrono, Chalkidiki, Greece.
  •  2012, Kirmizi Ardic Kusu Gallery, Alacati, Izmir, Turkey.

Teaching

  • 1985-1991, Technological Educational Institution (TEI) of Athens, Departments for Graphic Design and Graphic Arts Technology.
  • 1987-89, Panteion University of Athens, Program of Seminars on Visual Communication for Mass Media.
  • 1987-1990, AKTO Art and Design College, Athens.
  • 1992-2004, AAS – Applied Arts College, Thessaloniki.
  • 2000-2002 Mediterranean College of Thessaloniki (on a British Higher National Diploma Program).
  • 2005-2012 Head of Graphic Design Department in AKTO Art and Design College, Affiliation of Thessaloniki, (on a British BA Program by Middlesex University, London).

STATEMENT OF THE ARTIST

  • Rooted in a modernist education (received at the Swedish University College of Art and Design) and enriched by a Greek heritage, my work is an ongoing exploration of visual possibilities. Over the course of three decades as a graphic designer and illustrator, I developed a deep understanding of composition, precision, and the playful tension between form and meaning. Now, as a full-time painter, I embrace stylistic pluralism—integrating influences from Surrealism, Pop Art, Op Art, and digital media. For me, painting is a synthesis of distinct realities, an open space where different visual forces collide and spark new ideas.
  • I do not tether myself to a single style. Instead, I draw from a wide range of creative perspectives, believing that art thrives in the freedom of experimentation. Each piece is an invitation to explore fresh visual languages and challenge conventional boundaries, reflecting my belief that innovation is not only a goal but a necessity. Through this restless pursuit of new forms and techniques, my work remains connected to tradition while embracing the endless possibilities of the present.

PUBLICATIONS

  • 1990, Aesthetic and functional upgrades to editions published by the Local Administration Organizations in Greece. EETAA, Athens.
  • 2009, Nikos Smyrnios: Apogee Hellenic Soul – Α monography (Nίκος Σµυρνιός: Ψυχή Απόγειος Ελληνική).  Doukas LTD, Thessaloniki.