23 questions!

What sparked your passion for design?
Years ago, before the digital age, photography was my hobby and I literally cut out pictures, put together a set of cut-outs in real world environment and took another picture of it.

How creative were you as a youngster?
Again before the digital time I hand painted black and white photography and also liked to make 3d models out of match sticks and tooth picks, like a violin, a live sized, wire frame only, rocking chair and a 1.6 meter tall Coke bottle (14500 tooth pics).

Do you come from a creative family?
Yes, on my mother’s side, one of her brothers was into engineering has a patent on an electric circuit and the other brother invented an agriculture harvesting machine. My father’s side family was very musical, where my great uncle was a composer and contactor. My father was a master pastry chef. This trade requires a lot creativity and detail to design for all these celebration and wedding cakes.

Were they supportive of your desire to be a designer?
My parents wanted me to become a pastry chef as I was the only son and the tradition was to take over the family business. I believe this trade has told me a lot about design.

What sort of education and training have you had?
Initially I was self-taught until I was able to afford a diploma in IT and eventually a degree in Multi Media and Software Engineering.

Who did you want to work for when you first entered the industry?
I never had anybody specific in mind but I would have loved to work in the Movie industry as My passion is special effects.

Tell us about your first project and what do you feel about it now?
My first job was a Transport system fleet controller made in Flash, running parallel on two screens. I wished the PC’s processing power where higher at the time as Flash can be very processing intensive. Maybe it was not the right choice of technology for this project at the time.

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 all Flash application, Flex, now Flash Builder and Flash itself. It is great how we can use now these applications together with webcam and create wonderful results like interactive 3D and interactive, augmented reality.

Is digital technology going to eliminate the need for print?
Defiantly not; there will always be a place for print. I myself like to read ‘real books’, it just feels different.

Whose work do you really admire and why?
There are many brilliant artists, even not well known artists who amaze me with their talent. One artist I admire very much is Ron Mueck – You have to see to believe.

Who has been the greatest person that you’ve ever had the pleasure of working with and what have they taught you?
When I first started my job I had the opportunity to be guided by a young talented man. He had little prior training but he was brilliant in everything he did. He taught me to keep up with technology and never stop learning.

How would you describe your work?
My current work is divers as in most cases you have to follow the client’s brief.

What are your plans for the future?
To learn as much as possible, keep up with newest technology and create the most awesome interactive web based apps possible.

What sort of company would you like to work with next?
An open-minded, out of the square thinking company who risks to include more advanced, not as known technologies into their work.

What is your opinion of Australian design?
Australian design reflects good quality and uniqueness.

What is the best/worst thing about being a designer in Australia?
As Australia is still a young country there are many opportunities and a lot open arms to take in any suggestions and ideas.

In your opinion, what is the greatest challenge the Australian design industry has to face in the near future?
To find the right way to promote it and be more noticed.

What is your creative outlet outside of design?
Cooking, especially after the first two Master Chef series it sparked my interest to be even more adventures to mix and match new ingredients to produce THE exotic Australian dish.

What is the best designed bar in Melbourne?
I have to disappoint everybody. I’ve never been to Melbourne. I guess its time. I also have not much seen from Brisbane either.

What are your top 5 websites at the moment?
www.Iconarchive.com – get some great ideas
www.actionscript.org
www.kitesurfinggoldcoast.com.au
www.24-7media.de
www.widegroup.net

What CD are you currently listening to and is it any good?
I really like the ‘I wanna be a Billionaire’ by Travie McCoy at the moment, also Lady Gaga is not bad. It works well for me when I am out jogging.

If I was a font, I’d be...?
I might be old-fashioned but I am still hooked on Verdana. It always gives me a clean, crisp, readable outcome using Flash.

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