Artisan Brisbane's latest Alister has the ability to take care of senior graphic design requirements encompassing corporate text heavy reports, licensed point of sale collateral and high end editorial compositions to name but a few ...

What sparked your passion for design?
Career advisors never knew what to do with the kid that loved to draw, so by chance I got placed in a small design studio at the age of 14 for a short-term work experience placement. I spent most of my time making cups of tea and running errands but my inquisitive nature always found me peering over shoulders, like a sponge absorbing everything in front of me.

How creative were you as a youngster?
Not necessarily a traditional creative, but I was always visually fascinated by how things fit together - shapes, colour and space. Life through my eyes was one great big jigsaw puzzle, although I found myself very creative when it came to finding ways of causing mischief.

Do you come from a creative family?
Not through choice, but the family found themselves becoming very creative in the ways in which they disciplined my mischievous ways!

Were they supportive of your desire to be a designer?
They didn’t quite see the ‘career’ in the path I chose, but they appreciated the sheer dedication and commitment that I gave in every step I took.

What sort of education and training have you had?
With over 16 years in the creative industry, my eduction and training has been in the commercial field. In front of a screen, the boardrooms, the clients and most importantly the consumers.

Who did you want to work for when you first entered the industry?
The small design studio in the UK where I spent my short-term work experience placement! After my placement, they let me work there every school break until I came of age to go full time. After the faith they had shown me, I had no question in my mind on committing to them and the lessons began.

Tell us about your first project and what do you feel about it now?
I started design doing advertising back when I was 16 and I guess now at 32, I kinda feel old… but only because I remember every job was produced in Corel Draw on a knackered old PC that crashed and destroyed files frequently. Hands up those of you who remember SyQuest?

What is your preferred software to work with and what has been the greatest advancement in technology over the past 5 years?
Sit me in front of InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator and let me fly! What Adobe and Apple have for done for the design industry for me is endless. Nothing is impossible - imagination is the only boundary.

Is digital technology going to eliminate the need for print?
I hope not! Digital technology definitely has its place, but nothing can match that feeling of product in your hand. Cinema tickets stubs from that first date or cup final tickets back in 1997, everything you touch can trigger an emotion and I don’t quite see how digital can match that.

Whose work do you really admire and why?
I don’t necessarily admire a particular person or piece of work, but more the ethics behind what people can do to achieve their goals. Creativity is so subjective, what works for one may not work for another.

Who has been the greatest person that you’ve ever had the pleasure of working with and what have they taught you?
Trying not to sound too cheesy, but every person I have met along my career has been a pleasure and taught me a lesson. Whether it be through good or not so good circumstances, I’ve come through the other side with another string to my bow.

How would you describe your work?
Fluid and effective.

What are your plans for the future?
I hope to find myself living and grafting in Australia, settling and starting a family with my wife.

What sort of company would you like to work with next?
A company that is ready to embrace forward thinking design, open to the marriage of technology and creativity to produce effective material.

What is your opinion of Australian design?
Having recently flown over from the UK, I find Australian design raw and quirky, young and talented with huge potential.

What is the best/worst thing about being a designer in Australia?
I have yet to sample the best and worst things about design in Australia but am looking forward to experiencing both.

In your opinion, what is the greatest challenge the Australian design industry has to face in the near future?
Recognition. Though, things appear to be falling into place and the wheels are turning, so it’s only a matter of time.

What is your creative outlet outside of design?
Simply, I like to dream.

What is the best designed bar in Brisbane?
I’m new in town… anyone fancy a drink?

What are your top 5 websites at the moment?
hotmail.com
skysports.com
football365.com
apple.com
adobe.com

What CD are you currently listening to and is it any good?
The Adventures of Bobby Ray. I like it – though I’m not famed for my musical taste… but like creativity, music is subjective too.

If I was a font, I’d be...?
Helvetica. Simply effective with a cut for every occasion.

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