23 questions!

What sparked your passion for design?
It was always there I think. It started with immature illustrations, matching colors on a daily basis and having a neat surrounding. Anything aesthetic I saw around me drew my attention. At my art high school we used to go to many exhibitions, galleries & shows which really opened my eyes.

How creative were you as a youngster?
Very. Since I was 4 my drawings were kept in a safe drawer by my parents. One of my carers at kindergarten, who was an illustrator and graphic designer student at the time, was my role model. When all the other children had their afternoon nap I sat next to her copying her drawing...

At the age of 10 I created my first “book” at primary school, writing and illustrating my own story. A couple of years later an artist in our kibbutz (small community) took me into her studio and taught me how to sketch still-life and copy masterpieces. I have countless sketchbooks still kept somewhere!

Do you come from a creative family?
My mother was an accountant but used to draw well - I remember the Disney figures she drew to decorate our rooms as kids, and the still life she used to sketch. My dad was carpentering as a hobby. My grandmother was a tailor and is still doing an amazing job beading her own clothes (at 84!). My uncle is a singer and my cousin a radio presenter, both T.V personalities as well - does that count?

Were they supportive of your desire to be a designer?
Very much. I was the only amongst my age in our community who went to a different high school at the time because my parents fought for it to happen. In order to get to school on time in the morning my dad had to take me at 5am to the bus/train station. It took me an hour to get there & back, but it was the best decision they have made for me. Then it was only natural when I have decided to take graphic design as a profession.

What sort of education and training have you had?
Bachelor of Design majoring in Visual Communication, Shenkar college for Engineering & Design, Israel (4 years). I also took courses in illustration, styling & fashion design.

Who did you want to work for when you first entered the industry?
“Neo Group”, Israel
“Open” studio, Israel

Tell us about your first project and what do you feel about it now?
I was actually within my work experience between my 3rd and 4th year at uni. I was working at a branding company in London for a few months, and one of the most memorable things I did there was pitch for the 2012 Olympics logo. I will never forget how 4 out of the 8 ideas that were sent in by that company were mine. I’m still proud looking back, even though nothing came out of it!

What is your preferred software to work with and what has been the greatest advancement in technology over the past 5 years?
Adobe CS suite - Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign. As someone who has been using Freehand in the past, Indesign has been the best program to replace it for designing multi paged products.

Is digital technology going to eliminate the need for print?
It will never replace the intimacy of holding a printed paper product - something you can touch, fold, turn over, look at from different angels, smell...

Whose work do you really admire and why?
There are many... At the moment, because I am into paper cut art, Jayme McGowan from “Roadside Projects” (www.roadsideprojects.com ). Her illustrations are done very cleverly to create a 3D feel and I love her characters.
A young graphic designer who’s work I’ve admired since we were students at uni is Nadav Barkan (www.nadavbarkan.com ).

He just knows how to create good and smart branding!

Who has been the greatest person that you’ve ever had the pleasure of working with and what have they taught you?
I had the pleasure of working with some wonderful art directors who taught me how to take a project from the beginning to the end, who trusted me with clients from the very beginning, which gave me a lot of confidence.

Apart from that - during my work experience in London I had the honor of working beside the illustrator who gave the Johnny Walker’s character it’s new look, and to some other well-known spirits labels. It was his black script lines we used to create the finished product, and I learned how valuable a good handmade illustration is as a base for a design and how it is still useful in our digital world.

How would you describe your work?
Diverse, clean, attention to details, classic, nostalgic (when I do my own stuff).

What are your plans for the future?
I would like to call my goals “future plans” and make them happen: Run my own full time studio, create & publish my own illustrated kid's books. Work hard yet enjoy creating & being creative...

What sort of company would you like to work with next?
A friendly studio with high standards of design, which I will be proud to be part of.

What is your opinion of Australian design?
I have not been in this country long, but from what I’ve seen around me, it’s very eclectic in styles & color palette. There are some amazing designs beside some less impressive ones... I love the combination of old & new here.

What is the best/worst thing about being a designer in Australia?
Many good designers but not enough job opportunities in good studios, so unless you have gathered enough clients along the years to be a full time freelancer - it’s not easy out there!

In your opinion, what is the greatest challenge the Australian design industry has to face in the near future?
People who offer their designs for free or for very little money is a serious problem, and is bad for our designers reputation and evaluation.

What is your creative outlet outside of design?
Singing - I took voice lessons in the past and used to perform solo, in choirs & bands. When I get the chance I will definitely get back to it!

What is the best designed bar in Melbourne?
Being a mother I hardly go out to bars... Cafe’s are more the thing for me. There are some great ones on Chapel st. and Burke st. but I am more into the rural & rustic ones you find outside the city, the ones you happen to step into while on a long trip.

What are your top 5 websites at the moment?
www.etsy.com
www.paperstonescissors.com
www.jackywinter.com
www.designspongeonline.com
www.facebook.com

What CD are you currently listening to and is it any good?
Rona Keinan / Through Foreign Eyes (Hebrew) - very sensitive young Israeli singer & song writer
Neil Young - collection. Of course it’s good!

If I was a font, I’d be...?
Optima. Sans-Serif but classic. Soft and pleasant, delicate around the edges but not too fancy...



For Danit's availability, contact Mathew at Artisan today on 9514 1000!