Customize.org Interviews: liqachu
How did you first become interested in graphic art and motion design? What are some of your early influences?
I've always been interested in some form of art / design. I remember when I was a kid I always wanted to become a cartoonist because I loved to draw little cartoons all the time (when I should of been learning in lessons). My family & friends, my surroundings and just whole lifestyle were my main inspiration when I was younger, in fact they still are to this day. As for specific designers, I guess the usual tDR ( www.thedesignersrepublic.com ), Attik, and such, as my early stuff was kind of futuristic tech-y, but then I kind of pulled away from that whole style, but there are definitely elements of all of them in there.
Who are some of your favorite designers currently, in any field? What do you find appealing about them?
Gah, there are so damn many at the moment! Jort Braam has always been ahead of the game, Luke du Chateau, Evgeny Kiselev, some chump called Tab Turnmire, loads of people here at custo naturally, soooo many! I really like theyre use of colours and craziness. I think good design should have an element of crazy :).
It's interesting you mention the Designer's Republic because your earliest submissions to Customize.org had a strong tDR influence, but your stuff was not as blunt. I always felt one of the coolest things about the tDR was that they seemed kind of dangerous, they weren't afraid to make their designs obtuse, even if it was advertising work, the message was the design, never the product. I think it had a lasting impact on advertising design that we still see today. Also they managed to keep who they were a pretty good secret, which made them seem even more edgy. How important do you think these aspects were to the Designer's Republics success? Is a designer's personal image an important factor in his or her success? I personally feel when I meet with a potential client I sometimes under whelm them by not being some zany, sunglasses wearing creative type. Do you feel pressure to be something you are not to complete the portrait of a "hip" designer? Or are you just naturally whacky?
I think the whole secret aspect helped a little bit, because if you dont know who did something then it creates a bit of a buzz and makes you want to find out. The main thing (in my mind) that really made tDR big was Wipeout series, as it really got their work out to the masses. They used to do some awesome fliers to a dnb night in Sheffield called NY Sushi, still have a load somewhere, and occasionally refer back to them for inspiration. People have varying opinions on what's hip and whats not, I am who I am, if that's hip or not it's cool. I've a messed up sense of humour, so I guess I am naturally 'whacky' to a certain extent, although I dont wear dresses or anything just yet (panties are as far as I currently go)! I get told I'm "just wrong' a lot though.....
How do you start a project? Do you do a lot of pre-visualization or do you just open up your graphics application and jump in?
In the early days I just jumped straight in and jammed with whatever program / beer. Nowadays I do a lot of pre-visualization, really thinking concepts though, sketching out, colour schemes, drinking, etc before I open any kind of package. I find it really helps, especially with composition and just gives the finished product (motion or print) a good consistent solid feel.
Is most of your pre-viz work done using traditional media? How important do you think mastering traditional design media is? With the wide array of digital tools available, like tablets, 3d controllers, etc. is it possible to be a design student and NOT touch pencil to paper?
You can't get much more traditional than a pencil and sketch book! I think knowing the traditional will help a lot with your understanding of the digital incarnations, because at the end of the day all the packages are really doing is imitation the real work. It's definitely possible for a design student never to have to use a pencil & paper, but it's limiting them. It's good to get a balance, I mean a lot of the greatest designers go back to their roots and then bring ideas into this century.
If computer graphics didn't exist, do you think you'd still be a designer? How important is the computer as a tool for you?
Ya for sure, I use the computer basically as a finishing tool. If there was no computer I'd just another medium, like blood and feces on canvas.
What are your strengths when it comes to design? Weaknesses?
Strengths would probably looking at things differently, or adding unique spins on otherwise old ideas. Weaknesses, explaining my ideas or trying to convince others that they'd work!
Yep, trying to verbally convey what you want to do visually is a bitch. How do you deal with a client who is, for lack of a better word, a design dumbass?
After the initial friendly kick in the groin, it's just a case of breaking things right down into smaller, more manageable chunks. This is also where pre-viz comes in really handy. If its an initial meeting then you can just grab some paper and bash out whatever you have in your mind. Usually though I get given a brief, then work up a variety of ideas and go back to the client with some storyboards, hoping I am along the right lines! Pitching is a real bitch!
How do you respond to negative criticism?
I'm quite easy going; everybody is entitled to their opinion so it's fine. As long as its not offensive it's all good and a chance to just improve myself.
Many designers have a tendency to overwork designs, especially when they feel they're on to something How do you know when a project is done?
Yeah, knowing when to stop is a tough one (like knowing when to pull out when no contraception is available). I've a select group of friends whose opinion I really respect and trust, such as yourself ($10 please Tab). I'm usually pretty good about not overworking, but it's always good to get second opinions to back things up in your mind.
Where do you think graphic design is headed? Is the field becoming too crowded since everyone and his sister can lay their hands on high quality graphics software? How do you manage to stand out?
That's a bit of the problem nowadays, any kid can get themselves a warez copy of whatever package and call themselves a 'designer'. I mean just look at the amount of websites such as "stupidname-designz", but at the end of the day high quality software packages do not make a high quality designer, and that's what sets people apart, hopefully. Hmm, what makes me stand out, this is going to sound conceited no matter what I write :D . I'd like to think it's my ideas and originality that makes me a little different from the crowd.
How do you see yourself evolving over the next 5 years? 10 years? Now that you're more involved in commercial design, do you think you'll go more with the flow, as far as design trends are concerned?
This is a hard one! I'd like to be the guy everybody comes to for whatever my 'style' is. Would be good to have people see a commercial and instantly recognize it as a 'James Wignall', that would be awesome! Seriously though I've no real idea where I'll end up, it seems like only yesterday I came out of university and yet now I'm getting lots of publicity from all over the place. Its great but I would never have thought it would happen in a million years! I'd like to be a step ahead of whatever the trend is, would be nice to be known as a trendsetter rather than a follower.
Do you think when a hobby becomes a job it loses some of its appeal?
I'm sure it can, but it depends on your work environment and what jobs you work on. I really enjoy my job and the fact I get paid for doing what I love anyway is awesome. At first you will have to do a lot of crap jobs for not much money, but once you build a reputation and start getting nice jobs in then it's all good. Although be warned, expect some long hours, especially if you're planning on going into motion design! Just finished a 30sec advert for new Santana album which was basically a week or so of finishing at 2am and getting up at 9am to repeat the process! It's worth it though!
Thanks for your time and patience, James! Youre one of the golden ones.
Thanks to the Fenris for editing suggestions.
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GREAT. at the end of the year we should publish a dossier with all the interviews and some featured works of the artists. 10:47 am (4 years ago)
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Never cease to amaze, even outside the bedsheets :P 10:57 am (4 years ago)
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Good interview colossus! Thanks for the time liq. 01:57 pm (4 years ago)
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props liqa chu chu.. ;) 05:31 pm (4 years ago)
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liqachu's work is admirable 12:10 pm (4 years ago)
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