23 questions!

To use Mathew's own words, "the glass isn't half empty, its full. Design on the rocks." We've sent Mathew a few questions to pour his thoughts out on and found a designer who has a classic blend of wisdom with a twist of comedy.

What sparked your passion for design?
A nine volt battery, a wet tongue and a house/home with a full set of Yoken markers, every Rotring tech pen under the sun, millions of Derwents, lots of french curves and so on etc. I thought that was normal equipment when I was little.

How creative were you as a youngster?
Having had three older brothers and sisters go before me, many of my potential creations/masterpieces (messy disasters to the untrained eye!) were stopped before they began. I've been making up for that ever since.

Do you come from a creative family? Were they supportive of your desire to be a designer?
My entire family expressed themselves creatively through their painting, passionate discussions and understanding of artistic expression. My older sister was an award winning illustrator and I was related to the Boyd's and the Beck's so from an early age I associated my own expression with the creation of art.

What sort of education and training have you had?
Completed VCE in 88 and enrolled at Moorabbin Tafe Design. The following year I was accepted into Swinburne Graphic design. Currently majoring in a life course at The Skool of Hard Nox.

Who did you want to work for when you first entered the industry?
With my sister at Art Direction.

Tell us about your first project and what do you feel about it now?
My first project was a Spring Valley bottle label design layout. Bromides, omnicrom machines, paper, scissors, spray adhesive etc.. What a great time to begin. It was amazing what you could squeeze into a day back then.

What is your preferred software to work with and what has been the greatest advancement in technology over the past 5 years? My love is illustrator. Infinitely scaleable, exact and always a brain teaser. Technology? Its amazing what you can squeeze into a day now, and with three different colour options too!

What are the various mediums that you’ve worked with and is there any that you would like to explore? Having run my own studio for eight years I have had to work in many mediums, not all of them I have been particularly familiar with initially. Whether it is offset or digital, embossing or forme cutting, textile printing or temporary tattoos, every medium has a known set of parameters. As a designer it my mission to attempt to redefine these so called limitations and continue the evolution of the form. Experimentation narrows limitation.

Is digital technology going to eliminate the need for print?
Unless we are all wearing small LCD wrist bands that have a constant bombardment of consumer information and advertising being displayed on it I cant see how we could lose the need for print, not for the next twenty years. What is important is how digital technology has improved many processes and tools we already use. Often more cost effective and time friendly affording us a more efficient workflow which we can then utilise to continue to push the boundaries of our design.

Whose work do you really admire and why?
You are only as good as your last job YET everyone starts the next job with a blank page. I admire anyone that is able to penetrate the subconscious with their design. Great advertising is all about owning real estate deep within the mind. I don't admire designers as individuals, I admire individual designs.

Who has been the greatest person that you’ve ever had the pleasure of working with and what have they taught you? My sister. Shortly before she lost her life to cancer earlier this year I was able to learn an important message. She taught me that "its all up to me".

What has been your greatest achievement so far?
My last job.

How would you describe your work?
Visual Instigation, Digital Fornication.

What are your plans for the future?
Re-write the rules of a consumer based society through existing visual media.

What sort of company would you like to work with next?
An originator, not an imitator.

What is your opinion of Australian design?
Australia is designating many style trends to the rest of the world. Our isolation and competitiveness has bred a resourceful and innovative culture of creatives.

What is the best/worst thing about being a designer in Australia?
Best thing- Australia, the land of few consequences for our actions. Worst thing- Australia, the land of few consequences for our actions.

In your opinion, what is the greatest challenge the Australian design industry has to face in the near future? Making the world a nicer place to live.

What is your creative outlet outside of design?
Making something out of nothing in the studio or in the kitchen, photography.

What is the best designed bar in Melbourne?
SECTION 8.

What are your top 5 websites at the moment?
www.thismachinekills.com
www.stencilrevolution.com
www.redbubble.com
www.houseofmeggs.com
www.phibs.com

What CD are you currently listening to and is it any good?
Soul Heaven. If you like house then this one is nice and slushy.

If I was a font, I’d be...?
Struggling to hold a spray can.

Do you need an A-List Artisan like Mathew (the designer) in your studio? Would you like to know more? Contact Mathew (at Artisan) NOW.