"THISISNOTASET" is the studio alias of Athanasios Kanakis, a visual artist, set designer, and art director based in Athens. He studied at the University of the Arts Berlin (UdK) and holds a Master of Arts in Digital Media from the University of the Arts Bremen (HfK). Through his installations and set design work, he develops distinctive visual concepts for a wide range of commercial and non-commercial clients, bringing a multi-disciplinary approach to every project.

Athanasios has participated in art residencies and research programs across Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, Austria, Greece, Germany, France and Canada, and his work has been exhibited throughout Europe and Internationally. His commercial practice spans set and production design for luxury, fashion, beauty, and still life, including prop making, large-scale set construction for photo and video shoots, and temporary installations for shop windows and special events. 

During his eleven years in Berlin, he gained extensive experience in Art Direction, Graphic Design, and Visual Merchandising, collaborating with furniture companies such as Vitra and Artek. In 2017, he moved to Paris, working as a set design assistant alongside Sophear at Art+Commerce. In 2020, Athanasios launched his own studio, THISISNOTASET, and has since collaborated with major luxury, fashion, and beauty brands, while contributing to international editorials with photographers worldwide. In 2025, after nearly twenty years abroad, he relocated his studio to Athens, continuing to work with luxury, fashion, and beauty clients.  "THISISNOTASET" is being represented by D-TALES creative agency.

For a full list of clients and publications please see bellow >

BRANDS

Hermès, Kenzo, Lacoste, Massimo Dutti, Dior Beauty, Valentino Beauty, Petit Bateau, Pull & Bear, Printemps, Figaret, Armani Beauty, Fresh Beauty (LVMH), Unleashed, Explicit Poets, Callista, Kontantino Jewelry, Soeder Natural Care, New Assembly, Venetia Vildiridi Jewelry Ariadne Athens, Ktima Gerovasileiou, La Vaca Loca, Sony Alpha

EDITORIALS

Cap74024, Vogue Japan, Document Journal, Altered States, Flanelle Magazine, Vogue Czechoslovakia, Vogue Greece, Vogue Thailand, M Le Monde, Dapper Dan, Nicotine Magazine, Numéro Berlin, Apollo Magazine, And Marie Claire France, Marie Claire Greece, Marie Claire Arabia

2012 - 2013

UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS BERLIN 

Meisterschueller

New Media

2006 - 2010

UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS BREMEN 

M.A In Digital Media

Media Art And Design

2000 - 2006

UNIVERSITY OF PATRAS, SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING

Computer Engineering & Informatics

Computer Graphics And Multimedia

FOR A MORE DETAILED ARTIST BIO PLEASE VISIT

WWW.THANASISKANAKIS.COM/CV