23 questions!

Short films. A love of multiple mediums. A passion for innovators who constantly try different things. Do you get the feeling that our latest A-List Pat is bound to continue going from strength to strength? Read on and find out!

1.What sparked your passion for design?
When I was a kid I always use to draw. I use to collect comics and love copying the drawings.

2. How creative were you as a youngster?
Drawing was a passion of mine, it still is but I don’t get as much time to do it. I use to draw every chance I got.

3. Do you come from a creative family? Were they supportive of your desire to be a designer?
Well it depends what you consider creative, my dad’s a business man but some of the ideas he comes up with I find very creative. My great, great grandfather created the famous English propaganda poster “wants you” later recreated by the Americans of course (Uncle Sam). Just a bit of history for you. My parents were very supportive and still are.

4. What sort of education and training have you had?
I did all the Graphics and art subjects through high school where I found Photoshop, then had some fun, then went to Uni at RMIT where I studied Advertising and got really stuck into Adobe.

5. Who did you want to work for when you first entered the industry?
It was M&C Saatchi, they were winning all the awards at the time.

6. Tell us about your first project and what do you feel about it now?
That’s testing the memory. I think it was a catalogue for Crown, I didn’t keep a copy and probably should have.

7. What is your preferred software to work with and what has been the greatest advancement in technology over the past 5 years? The plain white page then Adobe Creative Suit of course.

8. What are the various mediums that you’ve worked with and is there any that you would like to explore? I’ve worked across lots of mediums (TV, print, radio) but I still love print. I love the simplicity of getting a message across on one page.

9. Is digital technology going to eliminate the need for print?
I do think a lot of things are moving to the web/digital but I really think that print will never fade, people still enjoy a painting, people still enjoy holding a magazine.

10. Whose work do you really admire and why?
Michel Gondry, Spike Jones, Neil French anyone that really tries to be different and tries new things.

11. Who has been the greatest person that you’ve ever had the pleasure of working with and what have they taught you? I’ve worked with so many talented people who have influenced and taught me new thing throughout my career. I think you can never stop learning.

12. What has been your greatest achievement so far?
Working in an industry that I love and having my print, TV and radio played and read all over the world.

13. How would you describe your work?
Simplicity is the key to all my work.

14. What are your plans for the future?
I would love to run/own a advertising/design studio

15. What sort of company would you like to work with next?
Preferably a small/boutique company. But in this economic climate I’ll take anything.

16. What is your opinion of Australian design?
Great

17. What is the best/worst thing about being a designer in Australia?
The best is having the freedom to do whatever we like; the worst is that we have too much freedom.

18. In your opinion, what is the greatest challenge the Australian design industry has to face in the near future? Continue being original and not to just follow what the rest of the world is doing.

19. What is your creative outlet outside of design?
I like writing short films.

20. What is the best designed bar in Melbourne?
I always thought bond bar was nice.

21. If I was a font, I’d be...? Definitely Century Gothic.

22. What are your top 5 websites at the moment?
www.notcot.org
www.tokyoplastic.com
www.adsoftheworld.com
www.compfight.com
www.pat.com.au - which will be up and running soon

23. What CD are you currently listening to and is it any good?
N.E.R.D and yes it’s good.

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