23 Questions!

Queensland's latest talented Artisan Mel sheds a little light on how she got to being so clever, and what keeps her inspired!

What sparked your passion for design?
Probably photography strangely enough. Mum used to have a dark room and all the equipment and I'd spend hours and hours hiding away in there messing with exposures and blocking areas. Comic Art has always attracted me too.

How creative were you as a youngster?
Very. I was constantly making toy animals out of holey old socks and cutting things up to make them "better" when I was a kid. We had this huge old "Make and Do" book and I think I made and did everything in that book at some point. I was also the kid that got roped into painting the mural for the school musicals and whatnot. It's probably for the best as my singing voice isn't pretty.

Do you come from a creative family? Were they supportive of your desire to be a designer?
Mum was always pretty creative and prepared to re-teach me how to knit every month or two when I'd forgotten previous lessons. The whole family has always been really supportive of me. Dad used to build me canvas frames and whatever I had in mind and didn't get TOO upset when I spray painted my entire 2m high year 12 project inside the house while they were out.

What sort of education and training have you had?
I got my Bachelor of Fine Art majoring in Illustration at QCA and then shortly after got my Bachelor of Arts in Art and Design at the University of the Sunshine Coast.

Who did you want to work for when you first entered the industry?
I wanted to be involved in the Rinzen crew. A bunch of Illustrators and designers from all over the world that have all found each other. They look like they'd be loads of fun.

Tell us about your first project and what do you feel about it now?
Seriously?! * ARG! * who can remember, I'm sure it was terrible.

What is your preferred software to work with and what has been the greatest advancement in technology over the past 5 years?
Of course Adobe Creative Suite is my best friend, but I'd have to say that InDesign and Photoshop top the list as favourites. It never ceases to amaze me what you can pull off in Photoshop, that program is a god send. As far as greatest advancement in technology in the past five years goes, giving InDesign plenty of Illustrators capabilities is pretty sweet. I know everyone says the iPhone but I've been a luddite up until now and have resisted it's temptation even though I KNOW I'll love it.

Is digital technology going to eliminate the need for print?
NEVER! Print is tactile and collectable, hoardable even.

Whose work do you really admire and why?
Stella Danalis. She's an illustrator and designer that I had the pleasure of being taught by for a semester at QCA. Once familiar with her style you'll see her everywhere.

Who has been the greatest person that you’ve ever had the pleasure of working with and what have they taught you?
Carl Meek, a senior designer I used to work for in London (also the funniest person I've ever met). He taught me to never take designing too seriously and that photoshop can get you out of all sorts of hot water :)

What has been your greatest achievement so far?
Setting up my own online wedding stationery business. Sadly it's seen it's last BAS statement now though.

How would you describe your work?
Bright and Illustrative wherever possible but also structured and precise.

What are your plans for the future?
They seem to change every week at the moment. Ideally I'd love to fill my life with enough design to keep me happy but not too much that I end up needing bifocals. Balance, Balance, Balance.

What sort of company would you like to work with next?
A fun, innovative and open minded one with work that flexes my creative muscle. Ooh err Mrs.

What is your opinion of Australian design?
I think it's quirky and fun mostly and sometimes has a touch of naivety that I adore. There are world class designers coming out of Australia.

What is the best/worst thing about being a designer in Australia?
I don't feel that it's that different from designing in London. There is a general lack of trust in agencies judgement over here and an inability to go out on a limb to allow the production of anything that's not safe unless you're client is into beer or music. Political correctness really is getting boring.

In your opinion, what is the greatest challenge the Australian design industry has to face in the near future?
Creating sustainable packaging design. I teach a packaging class at the University of the Sunshine Coast and it's really brought my attention to just how dire things could get if we don't start looking into more innovative and sustainable practices. It's amazing what can be achieved when a great team of designers and a forward thinking client team up.

What is your creative outlet outside of design?
Snowboarding, comic sketching and gardening.

What is the best designed bar in Brisbane?
Bar Alumbra is pretty cool, would be too obvious to say Cloudland? Probably.

What are your top 5 websites at the moment?

www.lovelypackage.com
www.dzineblog.com
www.dafont.com
www.thedieline.com
www.amazon.com

What CD are you currently listening to and is it any good?
Katalyst - Agent Manipulated and God yes.

If I was a font, I’d be...?
Spelling something probably.

Do you need an A-List Artisan like Cavan in your studio? Would you like to know more? Contact Phil NOW!