23 questions!

Winner of the 2008 People’s Choice Award from this years Melbourne International Design Festival - need we say more! When a creative talent like Matt walks through the door, of course we're going to pounce on him for our A-List.

What sparked your passion for design?
Surfboard graphics! I grew up at Phillip Island surfing away most of my younger years. I always noticed the personalised designs on the bottoms of the boards.

How creative were you as a youngster?
From a really early age I would sit in the garden and draw plants, insecects and flowers. And I mean really detailed drawings, not just rough sketches but even the vains in the flower pettles. I thinks that were it all began for me.

Do you come from a creative family? Were they supportive of your desire to be a designer?
I come from a family of 6....My dad is a plumber, my brother is a plumber, most of the people around me are traides so I'm not to sure where the creativity came from. But all of my family and friends are supportive of my creative side and have urged me to pursue my talents.

What sort of education and training have you had?
I started at Holmesglen Tafe in Applied Design, then completed Graphic Arts and Visual Communication at Monash Uni followed. I would be interested in studying Product Design in the future.

Who did you want to work for when you first entered the industry?
I wasn't really focused on the big design names or advertising companies in the early beginnings. Obviously I am really inspired by those designers who have been really successful but I just really wanted to enjoy design and be creative. I have some friends who stayed reasonable small in the industry and keep a really great balance between work and play. That is what I want to keep my focus on. Life balance.

Tell us about your first project and what do you feel about it now?
My first project was a icon for a surfboard shaper down at Phillip Island. I was only 15 years old. But it could have been the best thing I have ever done and my payment was a custom surfboard that I sprayed myself. I still design surfboards graphics and I still love getting paid in surfboards.

What is your preferred software to work with and what has been the greatest advancement in technology over the past 5 years? I use Adobe programs a lot and the greatest technology advancement with out a doubt would be never ending speed of the internet. How did we ever live with out it.

What are the various mediums that you’ve worked with and is there any that you would like to explore? I have worked in a variety of design mediums from direct marketing & advertising, signage & environmental design, exhibition design, product design, apparel design and corporate identities. I would like to do functional design and create something that makes a positive difference or do a cracking TV ad that really makes people laugh.

Is digital technology going to eliminate the need for print?
Never there will always be a market for the traditional printed media. I think most designers still love the look and feel of a well designed book.

Whose work do you really admire and why?
I am always noticing good design. I love a clever TV add or a well designed piece of furniture. But without doubt hearing Richard Seymour speak at AGIdeas blew my mind. Not just the strength of his work but the inspiring personal stories he told of wanting to create products that better people's lives. Not too mention the overwhelming presence he has as a person. Hearing him speak made me want to be a better designer.

Who has been the greatest person that you’ve ever had the pleasure of working with and what have they taught you? Nearly everyone I have ever worked with has taught me something and I am very sure that I will continue to learn from those around me for the rest of my life. The people around me all offer something different; insights and inspiration and sometimes more technical skills. I am not sure where I heard this but it really stuck in my mind. Design can be only 2 of 3 things... Cheap, Quick or Good.

What has been your greatest achievement so far?
Design wise it would be Winning the 2008 Melbourne International Design Festival Poster Annual.

How would you describe your work?
Always changing, I enjoy different challenges so I push myself to develop a different styles appropriate for the project. I don't want to be pidgin-holed into one distinctive style I just want to create designs that are effective.

What are your plans for the future?
To work on a variety of different projects for interesting clients. To be challenged by the projects to make me think hard about the creative outcome.

What sort of company would you like to work with next?
I am be open to any companies who have passion for there product or service. There is nothing more appealing and motivating to me than to hear someone who's proud and passionate about their product. If the client believes in it, we're already half way there. I would be very keen to work as a creative on a TV advertising campaign. I have some cracking ideas.

What is your opinion of Australian design?
Over time the Australian design community has really come up to stand firmly on the global design stage. Many of Australia's big name designers have paved the way for Australian design as an important export, particularly in Melbourne. I think we have a great culture and many great diverse design disciplines and styles.

What is the best/worst thing about being a designer in Australia?
Definitely the best thing about living in this great country is the amazing beaches we can escape to. I know it keeps me sane. The worst is that we are geographically isolated from Europe, UK and USA. Whilst the internet is combatting this, I feel this is a drawback because when working on an internationally level it is more difficult and takes more time when meeting clients face to face.

In your opinion, what is the greatest challenge the Australian design > industry has to face in the near future? Two things. One is the large volume of students studying design disciplines graduating every year into the industry. Two is the people who do a short course in adobe who think because they can use clip art they are designers.

It is for these reasons that the quality of design work could decrease. We need to ensure that those who buy design understand the value of good design and the effectiveness on business profitability. The value of a good Australian designer that values their client compared to say buying a logo from a random internet website.

What is your creative outlet outside of design?
Muay Thai (Kickboxing) not really that creative but it keeps me fit, but also the occasionally injury.

What is the best designed bar in Melbourne?
Sister Bella, any place you can see through the wooden cracks in the floor to the people below has to be good. What is the average weight a single wooden plank can hold?

What are your top 5 websites at the moment?
www.youtube.com
www.TED.com
www.karmaloop.com
www.sportzblitz.net
www.italianfoodforever.com

What CD are you currently listening to and is it any good?
Ella Fitzgerald - I have been on a 1950 kick lately... yes, its good.

If I was a font, I’d be...? Litera, i am very Geometric and i was born in 1980's


Do you need an A-List Artisan like Matt in your studio? Would you like to know more? Contact Cristal NOW.