Allou — Xanthe Kakaras

Live at the XK Intersection

Field Notes

Four ways I look at the world. Tap a circle.

EExperienceWhere you can find me

Yes, I'm a mermaid (see About). You'll always find me near water. Underwater is a whole other life, and it's my safe place.

CCreativityWhat inspires me

I'm always somewhere new, and my friends and family have stopped being surprised by where I turn up. You'll find me with a camera or on a walk, taking photos that challenge how I see the world and teach me to really look.

PPerspectiveWhat shifts my mindset

I've set a goal to meet at least one new person every week. Every person is a window onto how someone else sees the world, and you never know what you'll learn.

UUniverseCulture fun fact

In Paris I ate only steak tartare, escargot and frog legs for three days straight, every meal, to find the best one.

Status
Currently based
in New York, NY

Work
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Xanthe Kakaras
Art Direction + Design

Allou
Greek Publication Design

Aλλού: elsewhere, somewhere else.

Overview
Allou is a four-book series that explores Greece through the senses—sight, taste, smell, and sound—offering a more immersive and emotional way to experience Greek culture

Traditional travel guides often focus on landmarks and history but fail to capture the sensory and emotional experience of a place. For many visitors and members of the Greek diaspora, it can be difficult to connect with the everyday atmosphere, traditions, and cultural nuances that define Greece.

Inspired by personal heritage and family connections to Greece, the project explores how design and storytelling can capture the sensory experience of place. The books combine personal photography, cultural research, and carefully translated Greek language to present Greece through moments of food, sound, landscape, and daily life.

The books function as both cultural guides and coffee-table publications, inviting tourists and members of the Greek diaspora to reconnect with Greece through a sensory and emotional lens.

Scope
+ Brand Strategy & Positioning
+ Concept Development
+ Art Direction + Copywriting
+ Photography
+ Typographic System

Sound of Greece

The rhythm of waves, distant church bells, and lively conversations fill the air. From quiet coastal winds to the energy of music and gathering, sound carries the spirit of connection.

Smell of Greece

Salt from the sea, wild herbs, and citrus drift through the air. Greece is scented with freshness and warmth, grounded in nature and everyday life.

Sight of Greece

Greece’s architecture against deep blue seas, sunlit stone, and endless horizons define Greece’s visual identity. Light and contrast shape a landscape that feels both timeless and alive.

Taste of Greece

Bright, simple flavors like olive oil, lemon, fresh bread, and grilled seafood all define Greek cuisine. It reflects tradition, seasonality, and a deep connection to place.