23 questions!

Quirky ... and Creative - read on to find out a little more about the charming Chris ...

What sparked your passion for design?
I won a duel cassette radio for designing a poster when I was about 10 years old, this remains my proudest design achievement to date. I also made some rad mix tapes.

How creative were you as a youngster?
Very, particularly when it came to explaining my way out of trouble.

Do you come from a creative family?
I grew up surrounded by music and art. My grandmother taught me how to paint and my grandfather was the leader of a jazz band. I think it skipped a my parents generation and now my brother and I play in band together.

Were they supportive of your desire to be a designer?
Absolutely.

What sort of education and training have you had?
I studied Graphic Art at RMIT but nothing educates more than being thrown into the deep end.

Who did you want to work for when you first entered the industry?
I wanted to work for a mid size agency were I could work across a really broad range of disciplines and learn the all but forgotten art of the long lunch.

Tell us about your first project and what do you feel about it now?
I worked on Saab and a lot of retail car accounts. I once had a brief to make a press ad as ugly as I possibly could. Brilliant.

What is your preferred software to work with and what has been the greatest advancement in technology over the past 5 years?
I love working with Adobe CS. And like all good creatives, I think Power Point sucks. The greatest advancement in the last five years would have to be the spread of social media and it’s ability to challenge the way we think about advertising. I also don’t think I could function as a human without my iphone.

Is digital technology going to eliminate the need for print?
I don’t think so. I still love to hold a real book in my hands. I think it will definitely lesson the amount of paper wasted though.

Whose work do you really admire and why?
Don Draper rules.

Who has been the greatest person that you’ve ever had the pleasure of working with and what have they taught you?
Mike Allen, General Manager/Creative Director from Magnum Opus Advertising taught me how to translate passion into great creative and that nothing is as important has strong relationships. He also knew a thing or two about that lost art of the long lunch.

How would you describe your work?
Multifarious. I consider myself a bit of an all rounder really. Art direction is one of many creative passions in my life, writing and recording music, writing fiction and photography.

What are your plans for the future?
Cup of coffee, maybe a biscuit. Then I might play guitar for a while.

What sort of company would you like to work with next?
A place where the people are like-minded and inspiring.

What is your opinion of Australian design?
So many varied cultural influences make for a huge well of ideas to draw from. I think that’s why an Australian design identity constantly changes its shape. That makes it exciting.

What is the best/worst thing about being a designer in Australia?
Access to great Coffee.

What is your creative outlet outside of design?
I love to write and play music and read.

What is the best designed bar in Melbourne?
The Espy. Has been for over 100 years.

What are your top 5 websites at the moment?
www.inspiredology.com for design inspiration
www.howstuffworks.com because I’m insatiably curious
http://www.ebay.com.au I love looking for treasure
http://www.abc.net.au/iview/# for watching shows on my own schedule
http://www.thebastardchildren.com because I love self promotion

What CD are you currently listening to and is it any good?
High Tide & High Time by The Bastard Children. Yep.

If I was a font, I’d be...?
Well kerned.

For more information regarding Chris's current availability, call Penny here at Artisan on 9514 1000, or email Penny today!