23 questions!

With a fascination for comic book heroes and chic things from the past (check out the profile pic!), you would be right to suspect that Nigel is not your everyday creative. Want further proof? Read on!

What sparked your passion for design?
Comic books and the Spider-man animated cartoon from the late 1970's. I always loved MAD magazine as a pre-teen, movie posters, swap cards and toy packaging.

How creative were you as a youngster?
As a child I was always drawing, watching cartoons or playing with my toys. I could always entertain myself for hours with a pen and paper.

Do you come from a creative family?
My Dad has always been passionate about photography.

What sort of education and training have you had?
I studied for 3 years at Ballarat University. Bachelor of Visual Arts - Majoring in Graphic Design

Who did you want to work for when you first entered the industry?
I had no expectation of where my first job would be straight out of school. I was just looking forward to starting in the industry after spending so much time at school.

Tell us about your first project and what do you feel about it now?
My first job was at a place called Servicestation Graphics based in Kensington. Our main client was Ansett Australia and my first project was creating CD covers for various aeroplane stock photo CDs. I have fond memories of the job and my time spent there.

What is your preferred software to work with and what has been the greatest advancement in technology over the past 5 years? I always love playing around in Illustrator, with the simplicity of vector shapes and gradations. InDesign has been a great advancement in print design and hopefully Quark will soon be officially dead and buried. RIP QuarkXpress :)

Is digital technology going to eliminate the need for print?
No. There will always be a need for print as it gives a product a sense of worth and instant gratification when it's in your hands. Having something that's tactile also adds another dimension that's not found in digital technology.

Whose work do you really admire and why?
Ragnar. He's an American illustrator who illustrates in vector. There are a lot of people doing things in similar mediums, but his designs, use of colour and style are second to none. Everything he touches is gold.

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 and met many creative people over the years, but really admire anyone who is young at heart, honest and passionate about what they do. Working in a team is a collaboration of people, and it's always nice to work with talents that leave their ego at the door. Engaging solutions that exceed client expectations within the budget and time frame is the most important part of any job.

How would you describe your work?
I would describe my work and work experiences as solid.

What are your plans for the future?
I see myself always being in the industry on some level. Maybe down the track, moving across to high-end retouching or studio management. For the moment I'm just looking forward to settling down into Melbourne after spending the last few years travelling.

What sort of company would you like to work with next?
I want to work for a company with people that are passionate about design and that love life.

What is your opinion of Australian design?
Great.

What is the worst thing about being a designer in Australia?
It's a relatively small job market, with few opportunities.

In your opinion, what is the greatest challenge the Australian design industry has to face in the near future? The lack of jobs and work is a huge challenge for anyone in the industry. The economic state has already hurt many businesses and doesn't look like letting up anytime soon.

What is your creative outlet outside of design?
Pop culture, cinema and illustration. I love horror movies and collect action figures (not dolls). I'm interested in paper mechanics/packaging, popup books, window displays, skateboard graphics, comic books and lowbrow art.

What is the best designed bar in Melbourne?
There are lots of wonderful bars in Melbourne. Not sure which one takes place as best designed... I'm more concerned about the drinks being cold and the company cheerful!

What are your top 5 websites at the moment?
http://www.mwctoys.com/
http://toysrevil.blogspot.com/
http://au.rottentomatoes.com/
http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/
http://www.nigeharvey.com/
The last one was a shameless plug :)

What CD are you currently listening to and is it any good?
Death From Above 1979 - You're a Woman, I'm a Machine (2004).
Who said rock is dead?

If I was a font, I’d be...? Helvetica Neue... always there to save the day :)

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