23 Questions!

What sparked your passion for design?
Design fascinated me from a young age. Not just art and design, but nature, patterns in mathematics, the way the world works, design is all around us. I’ve always loved colour and aesthetics, usually implicating my decision on things. Creativity is chaotic and disorganised, always changing, and keeping you guessing.

How creative were you as a youngster?
I was always surrounded by art and design from a young age. I’d stare at the clock in some subjects but in art it never seemed to go long enough. I see creativity as a form of escapism from such an intense world we live in, relax people!

Do you come from a creative family?
My mother gave lectures at RMIT in Melbourne so from a young age I’d always been surrounded by visual art and design. Even in early high school I knew what I wanted to do. My brother is the marketing director at a Private Hospital as well.


Were they supportive of your desire to be a designer?
I always had a choice to be whatever I wanted to be of course, but childhood experiences and influences I can safely say have shaped me into becoming a designer.

What sort of education and training have you had?
I hold a degree in Fine Arts (communication design) yet I learnt very little during this to be honest. I learnt more trimming my own business cards when I was 17, or 3am late nights learning illustrator and photoshop.

Who did you want to work for when you first entered the industry?
Anyone that shared my view that design isn’t just "chopshop, glorified stock photography of people on fake headsets waiting to take your call.” Someone who could inspire me and push me to be better.

Tell us about your first project and what do you feel about it now?
My first project was designing my own freelance logo when I was 17. This is harder than you think, since then I’ve been through about 15 different brands for myself, it’s very frustrating. I look back at my branding when I was 17 and think to myself “I was one of my hardest clients”.

What is your preferred software to work with and what has been the greatest advancement in technology over the past 5 years?
I love photoshop and illustrator of course. Getting stuck into a massive photoshop canvas is great fun, that feeling you get when you say to yourself “I can’t wait to get this printed!”. Best advancement over the years would have to be the hardware advancements enabling us to design bigger and better things, faster.

Is digital technology going to eliminate the need for print?
Do people read papers? Do people pick up packaged goods in super markets, shops and stores? Do people use cash? Do people buy birthday cards? Etc etc etc…

Whose work do you really admire and why?
Chuck Anderson from NoPattern & Nigel Evan Dennis from Electric Heat and Hydro74, everyone google them now if you haven’t… wow!

Who has been the greatest person that you’ve ever had the pleasure of working with and what have they taught you?
It would have to be a man called Todd Proctor, back in the Australian inFront forum days, he taught me lots and kept at me to refine my craft.

How would you describe your work?
Layered, non-serious, saucy.

What are your plans for the future?
To hopefully produce artwork for massive clients and bring my ideas to life through their brand.

What sort of company would you like to work with next?
Somewhere that allows music to be played, a work hard play hard attitude, somewhere that’s not so serious and has a true love for design.

What is your opinion of Australian design?
Australian design is going great. There are so many little studios and agencies tucked away, you just need to look harder. We are definitely on the map.

What is the best/worst thing about being a designer in Australia?
The best thing would have to be the laid-back lifestyle and creative competition going on. The worst thing might be the lack of clients willing to take a ‘risk’.

In your opinion, what is the greatest challenge the Australian design industry has to face in the near future?
Keeping it fresh and growing strong, we need more events and collaborations, and less “who’s got the myer account” attitude.

What is your creative outlet outside of design?
DJ’ing after a long days work at home with a few beers. Cooking yummy food and smacking golf balls at the driving range.

What are your top 5 websites at the moment?
cargocollective.com/electricheat
http://www.hydro74.com
www.digg.com
http://soundcloud.com/
www.nompattern.com

What CD are you currently listening to and is it any good?
Listening the 5th year anniversary CD of Dirtybird Records mixed by Justin Martin – Great to design to and always provokes ideas.

If I was a font, I’d be...?
Uni-Sans! It's so versatile and so fresh!

To find our David's current availability for work, contact Phil in our Brisbane office NOW!