Tomáš in Gaston frames
Meet Tomáš, a graphic design student specializing in typeface design.
11. November 2025, Author: Barbara Garaj, Photo: Jakub Čaprnka, Archive: Tomáš Paulen
His journey started in his hometown of Žilina. He attended the School of Applied Arts, refining his skills in computer graphics, and in his free time he'd redraw logos from skate brands and metal bands.
At first he considered architecture, but the math scared him off. That's when his fascination with type really took hold – simple, clean, perfectly legible even in the smallest details. So he looked for his artistic path elsewhere, which eventually led him to graphic design.
What fascinates Tomáš about type design is that nothing ever happens by accident. Over time he's proven to himself that less is sometimes more, and form without unnecessary layers can hit even harder.
Alongside his studies, he works at Diorama, a graphic design studio where he can fully engage in projects and develop his creativity. He's convinced that real-world practice during school is irreplaceable – it brings those first experiences and opens doors into Slovakia's graphic design community.
"I used to feel like I had to master every area of graphic design. Later I realized I wasn't doing anything properly. Through typography I found the field I want to go deeper into."
At Diorama, Tomáš is heavily involved in developing new brands – from the first pencil stroke to the finished visual. He brings not just one idea to each project, but several, so the client has options. It's a space where he can fully show his originality.
His signature made it into a project for Vrátna dolina. Together with Jakub Lysý from Hungry studio, he created a series of pictograms that became a key element of the visual identity for this mountain environment.
You can also see Tomáš's work on posts around Bratislava – thanks to winning a competition for Bratislava Technical Networks, which he did together with Martin Mystrík.
In his free time, the young designer clears his head by running, walking his dog, or visiting cafés. You'll most often find him at Vták, Gorrifee, or Baryk, where he goes not just for coffee but for inspiration.
He loves leafing through typography books, especially at Brot bookshop, observing urban lettering and hunting for details most people wouldn't even notice.
Tomáš heard about ZITA through designer Martin Kahana, who's behind our visual identity. He came to the optician's when his old glasses had served their time, and decided this time he'd go for quality and more interesting design.
"I consider my visit to ZITA a very pleasant experience. I appreciate the approach, which was personal and relaxed. I like that I have to set aside time to go to the optician's, and I know they'll really give me as much time as I need."
During the fitting, he was ultimately drawn to the Breteuil model by French brand Gaston in honey. As a design student and minimalism lover, he appreciates most its restraint and clean shape without unnecessary details.
"As a graphic designer I'm a huge perfectionist, so every detail matters to me. Even when choosing glasses, one tiny thing can decide whether I buy them or put them back."
