23 questions!

Meet Artisan Brisbane's latest talented finished Artist, and hear her creative story! Boasting international industry experience, and rosy attitude, Magda is a great fit for any studio.

What sparked your passion for design?
Nature. Seeing flowers bloom magnificent colours, leaves falling in autumn and ice covered trees in winter. I wanted to convey a little of that beauty in design.

How creative were you as a youngster?
Very. I was always doing crafts and inventing things in my mind. I used to read a lot and try to re-create the things I read about. It was my little getaway.

Do you come from a creative family?
Not overly creative. Just a standard family that encouraged me to do what I enjoyed doing.

Were they supportive of your desire to be a designer?
They’ve always encouraged me to follow my dreams, so naturally they supported me in my design endeavours.

What sort of education and training have you had?
A lot of my knowledge is self-taught, but I have done a Graphic Arts Diploma from a New York School of Design in 2007.

Who did you want to work for when you first entered the industry?
Everyone! The field is so exciting and with so many talented people it would be impossible to choose.

Tell us about your first project and what do you feel about it now?
It was a mess! A convention brochure for a hospital, riddled with graphic clichés. My graphic sense has definitely improved since then.

What is your preferred software to work with and what has been the greatest advancement in technology over the past 5 years?
Without a doubt Creative Suite 4 on a Mac. InDesign and Illustrator being my favourite, with Photoshop closely behind. The technology progresses so fast these days, that the last 5 years are full of advancements. I just got used to CS4 and they’ve already released CS5!!

Is digital technology going to eliminate the need for print?
Never!! There is something tangible about holding a printed piece of art. The textures, smells and colours that digital media can never convey.

Whose work do you really admire and why?
It’s impossible to choose one, or even a few. There are so many talented people out there who make fantastic and amazing things. I admire people who stick to their principles no matter what.

Who has been the greatest person that you’ve ever had the pleasure of working with and what have they taught you?
Mark Paisey at TBWA in Auckland. He taught me that sometimes you have to make huge sacrifices to keep a great team of creatives together.

How would you describe your work?
Fun and colourful, but structured.

What are your plans for the future?
I would like to freelance for a while and then maybe find a good studio to settle in long term.

What sort of company would you like to work with next?
One that is fun and creative, but also works well together.

What is your opinion of Australian design?
A little safe perhaps? I haven’t seen a lot of daring work.

What is the best/worst thing about being a designer in Australia?
Having only just moved here, I can’t honestly answer that question.

In your opinion, what is the greatest challenge the Australian design industry has to face in the near future?
To be more daring. We, as a society, have become too safe and politically correct.

What is your creative outlet outside of design?
Books. I love to read. Also just taking my camera and taking pictures of everything I see around me.

What is the best designed bar in Brisbane?
I haven’t really been in any yet, so can’t say.

What are your top 5 websites at the moment?
www.creativetempest.com
www.ffffound.com
www.smashingmagazine.com
www.abduzeedo.com
www.behance.net

What CD are you currently listening to and is it any good?
Ronny Jordan, Off the Record. It’s contemporary jazz and it’s fantastic!

If I was a font, I’d be...?
Scriptive, but functional.

For more information regarding Magda's availability, call us here at Artisan Brisbane on (07) 3333 1833, or email Phil TODAY!