23 questions!

What sparked your passion for design?
While in the middle of my animation degree I took a class in Design and it all went from there.

How creative were you as a youngster?
I would constantly have a pencil and pad in hand when I was a kid.

Do you come from a creative family?
No, not really.

Were they supportive of your desire to be a designer?
Very supportive, my mum also encouraged me as a kid to get involved in a creative path.

What sort of education and training have you had?
Completed a bachelor in Design and a diploma of Animation.

Who did you want to work for when you first entered the industry?
I think it was Apple, it must be a phase everyone goes through.

Tell us about your first project and what do you feel about it now?
My very first freelance project was only done about a year ago. It was a website for a client who is a videographer and needed web presence for his business. I look over it every now and then and have to say the design still holds up.

What is your preferred software to work with and what has been the greatest advancement in technology over the past 5 years?
I really enjoy using photoshop, however the greatest advances I think that have happened over the last 5 years would be web browser technology. I’ve just seen experiments people are doing in the Google Chrome browser and it knocked my socks off.

Is digital technology going to eliminate the need for print?
I think that digital will challenge print, however I honestly don’t think it will ever eliminate it completely.

Whose work do you really admire and why?
I really enjoy David DeSandro and Elliot Jay Stocks work and a design blog that is always quality named abduzzedo.com. Also there is this amazing illustrator named Chris Ware who does astounding things with typography.

Who has been the greatest person that you’ve ever had the pleasure of working with and what have they taught you?
My previous Creative Director. He was quite intense to work with however I would also know that by the end of the hair-pulling process it would always be the absolute best outcome.

How would you describe your work?
Clean, stylish and über modern design.

What are your plans for the future?
My plans are to get back into a creative agency that still deal in web and print.

What sort of company would you like to work with next?
A multi-talented specialised agency.

What is your opinion of Australian design?
I think that Australia has great designers and therefore great design. I was overseas when I heard about Melbourne City rebrand and absolutely loved it.

What is the best/worst thing about being a designer in Australia?
Best thing – There is a lot of opportunity in the digital sector.
Worst thing – Clients don’t want to spend money.

In your opinion, what is the greatest challenge the Australian design industry has to face in the near future?
Show the world that even though we are a young country, design is in our blood and really make a name for ourselves with quality, leading edge designers.

What is your creative outlet outside of design?
`I’m sure this is not a ‘creative’ outlet but I love playing golf.

What is the best designed bar in Brisbane?
There is a place called Glass that is in the valley. Very cool and has pretty unique feature wall… go check it out.

What are your top 5 websites at the moment?
www.desandro.com
www.carsonified.com
www.abduzeedo.com
www.ted.com
www.alistapart.com

What CD are you currently listening to and is it any good?
I am not really listening to any music at the moment however I am addicted to listening to the Ricky Gervais Podcasts while I’m working. It’s something short of genius.

If I was a font, I’d be...?
… Helvetica

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