23 Questions!

What sparked your passion for design?
It all started for me when I was able to hold a pencil as a child and I haven't stopped drawing since.

How creative were you as a youngster?
I would love playing in the garden pretending all the rocks, sticks and trees were different types of characters and machine craft.

My room was my studio, where I would draw big battle-scenes on paper, or my favourite cartoon characters and then create my own scenarios

Do you come from a creative family?
My mother is a writer and artist (paint) in multi media, I would term her “a poet”.
My father, grand-father and an uncle are all award winning architects. Another uncle is an internationally acquired glass-artist and Churchill Fellow.
These people are not merely members of an extended family, rather, we are an interactive group.

Were they supportive of your desire to be a designer?
I don't recall a time when I was not encouraged to paint, draw and express myself.
Throughout my secondary schooling I was provided art classes every Saturday which were a highlight of the week.

What sort of education and training have you had?
My foundational schooling included excellent state primary schools, and continued through to a private secondary school, year twelve graduation.
I was admitted to the degree of Bachelor of Art: Bachelor of Animation at Griffith University Queensland. I attained a Life Drawing accreditation at the Brisbane Institute of Art, Queensland.

Who did you want to work for when you first entered the industry?
Disney Studios and/or Pixar Animation Studios

Tell us about your first project and what do you feel about it now?
My first contracted project was working for Animation Works in Melbourne where I started as an animation assistant on Ocean Girl, the animated television series.
This was a most rewarding introduction as I was working with professional animators who were forthcoming with both their knowledge and their experience.
As a novice at the time, I felt that I may have been out of my depth, however in retrospect, I know I learnt as much from the experience as I did in my undergraduate years of university. This was a remarkable starting point.


What is your preferred software to work with and what has been the greatest advancement in technology over the past 5 years?
I am proficient in using photoshop, flash and more recently maya.
I believe the cintiq is an important step forward for digital artists, as it increases speed, retains the feel of traditional drawing, yet offers the flexibility of programs like photoshop.

Is digital technology going to eliminate the need for print?
Not in the foreseeable future, people will always enjoy having art on their walls, the feel and smell of a book or the luxury of having a magazine to flick through.

Whose work do you really admire and why?
I appreciate the work of the fantasy artists Gerald Brom, Mike Mignola and Barry Windsor-Smith, among others.
They have an understanding of composition incorporating the human form, that all artists aspire to. Their perception of the human condition may be seen in the aesthetic rendering of their stories.

Who has been the greatest person that you’ve ever had the pleasure of working with and what have they taught you?
Arthur Filloy. Arthur was was my animation director at Film Graphics.
He taught me how to plan my process and not be too precious about my work, because often times you need to scrap what you've done and start again.

How would you describe your work?
As a designer, by necessity, I have trained myself to match or adapt various styles depending on the project. This is a rewarding aspect of being an artist/designer
As an artist, I focus on creating both a narrative and the images, then blending them into a seamless chronicle

What are your plans for the future?
I am currently upgrading and honing my 3D skills. Once I am adept, I aim to work in feature film. This may be in Australia where my heart is or it may well be internationally, it all depends upon the nature of the challenge

What sort of company would you like to work with next?
For a production house who encourage the interaction of artistic talents, where working with fellow artists is both inspiring and rewarding.
Preferably in a collaborative atmosphere where my ability to give and share is reciprocated.

What is your opinion of Australian design?
I appreciate Australian design, but at times I feel it is a little too safe.


What is the best/worst thing about being a designer in Australia?
Australia has a diverse population which is reflected in the workplace. For a designer this makes the work environment interesting, inspirational and even educational. Our landscape is entwined with our culture, giving the Australian a unique outlook and a refreshing lifestyle. Any or all of these aspects of Australia may be evident in the work of an Australian designer
The worst, or most negative aspect of being an Australian designer, is not an Australian creation. I think the problem is that the rest of the world don't know we are here, or have not seen what we are capable of, because in reality, we are as good as they get if not better.

In your opinion, what is the greatest challenge the Australian design industry has to face in the near future?
Correcting the above negativity is of most importance.
This and the growing online market of designers offshore. They further obscure our worth and creates an unrealistic, undervalued market place. The challenge here is to remove ourselves from the cut-throat market and position Australia as a leading provider of high quality product.

What is your creative outlet outside of design?
I do a lot internet forum illustrations in my own time

What is the best designed bar in Brisbane?
Cloud land

What are your top 5 websites at the moment?

www.unit-16.com
www.zgeek.com
www.abc.net.au/iview
www.conceptart.org
www.giantbomb.com

What CD are you currently listening to and is it any good?
Core by The Stone Temple Pilots. Really enjoying it as I'm currently going through a lot of my old albums from the early 90s.

If I was a font, I’d be...?

--- Garamond ---