art

Sonali Zohra : Dangercat : Art and Graphic Design

Graphic Designer, Illustration, Interviews, , , 4 comments

Sonali is an illustrator, photographer and graphic designer based in Bangalore. She goes by the alias; Dangercat.

Why are you a Graphic Designer?
I was inclined to the arts from a very early age. As an only child, drawing was something I did to keep my mind occupied. I kept journals where I would document what I learnt in school, wrote down lyrics of songs I was listening to, even made detailed accounts of school trips through photography and drawing. I added leaves and feathers and other things along the way to the pages and soon found myself focusing on the layout of the page itself. I remember enjoying drawing, painting, writing, taking photographs and filling up those pages so much; I didn’t ever want to do anything else.

Did you attend school for fine art or design?
Yes I did, College of fine arts Bangalore. It wasn’t the best of courses, but it did give me a lot of time to wander off and explore different mediums, I went on to study photography at Light and Life Academy in Ooty.

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Kiran Kumar C K : Concept Artist, Illustrator, Matt Painter

Interesting Things, Interviews, , , , , 3 comments

Kiran Kumar C K is a self motivated Concept artist, illustrator, matt painter and visual designer who from India,kerala. Currently he is working in different kind of Hollywood films. He starts to draw from very young age. He has a bundle of talents and skills both Creatively and Technically. He is a self developed artist, and he has extraordinary ambition to achieve something that he loves to do. And he is so polite, humble and very social minded person too.

Why are you an Illustrator?
Thanks for giving such an interesting question and for a chance to interact trough your sites. . . !!!
I love to draw when I was very young, and my drawings was very quick. I never like to do tiny tiny details in my works,i wanted those all feelings in a single stroke if I can.

Did you attend school for fine art or design?
Yes, I finished diploma in fine arts from KGCE Kannur, Kerala. And I Believe an art school never make an artist. The Passion,dedication, Approach and hardwoks make an artist.

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Anisha Sahni : Interview with a Digital Art Director

Digital, Interviews, , , , , , , 4 comments

Anisha Sahni | Art Director, FoxyMoron – North

Why are you into Advertising?
I have always wanted to work in a creative industry. Be it advertising or animation. However, currently 3D animation especially in India has a long way to go. The characterization and 2D elements of animation are what caught my interest and I realized that I could apply the same fundamentals in Advertising. Cracking the idea, conceptualizing and executing the look along with marketing the idea, is how an animation is produced. It’s the same in advertising, but only quicker. That is what grabbed my interest and the fact that you could really think completely outside the box and not be limited to a script.

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Shashank Nimkar : Interview with a graphic designer / animator

Illustration, Interviews, , , , , , , , 5 comments

Shashank Nimkar has just graduated from Symbiosis Institute of Design, Pune. Major in animation film design. Having a deep interest in craft since his childhood has inspired him to specialize in the technique of stop-motion animation. Nature, he believes is his biggest inspiration.

“I have been a craft lover ever since I can remember. The traditional method of creating something with hands, having various materials spread around, getting hands dirty with glue and the will to see something productive and innovative coming up keeps me going.”

Why are you a Graphic Designer?
I have been creating things since my school days just for my creative-satisfaction and today I get paid for that. What else could be better. Living my dream.

Did you attend school for fine art or design?
Yes, I have just completed my B Des. studies from Symbiosis Institute of Design, Pune.

You have a distinct style of Design. How long did it take you to develop your style?
I have always been fond of tactile creations than virtual ones. The most challenging factor about such creations is that there is no ‘ctrl+Z’, and you can actually feel what you are creating. I started doing paper quilling six years back from now, after I completed my 10th grade. Soon I started making hand crafted illustrations(and products) that can be used for print and digital campaigns.

Were there any particular role models for you when you grew up?
I have always been open to any source of inspiration and learning, hence, I consider anyone who is passionate about work and creates an admiring work as my role model.

Who was the most influential personality on your career in graphic design?
Considering my quilling work Yulia Brodskaya has been a major inspiration in terms of medium, though her style is very different than how I use quilling.

When did you start freelancing?
Majority of my projects are self-initiated. Since this medium is new in India, plus I am trying to do something unconventional in that medium; I first make creations that I can relate to then I make them public for people to imagine what all can be done with this medium.
I did something similar when I started out, back in first year during college’s annual festival in 2011. I made 65 unique designs of my signature Finger Buddies based on which I started freelancing and today clients approach me for such customized finger buddies for their brand or people buy it for themselves or as gifts.

Was there any time when you wanted to quit graphic design?
As long as I am doing craft, NO WAY. I have never been bored or tired of it. When I get into the phase of serious working I don’t even realise that I have been working for 6-8 hours continuously.

Tell us something about your stop-motion work…
To be honest, I had no clue what animation is all about when I opted for the course. I just saw it as an opportunity to keep doing craft. Seeing my craft coming to life in animation was a feeling of immense joy and inspiration, it was no more a static piece of art to be place in a showcase. Since I love exploring mediums, till now I have made four stop-motion short films as a part of academics and each of them uses a very different medium. And they all have been nominated at various film festivals.

Are many advertising agencies hiring graphic designers? Do you work more with agencies or publishers?
I do not have much experience with that. I have just started collaborating with clients. I work with anyone who knows the value of the work and understands how much efforts are put into it, even if the client is an individual and not a brand.

Do you have clients who give you steady work or do you advertise for new clients often?
I have just started to build my relations with clients so cannot say anything for now.

Any other Indian graphic designers who you admire?
I do not have any names in particular but I keep looking for good inspiring work every now and then.

What advice do you have for aspiring creative professionals? Would you advise them to take on graphic design as a career option?
As of now I am one of those. But for those who are thinking about choosing a career and/or want to take their skills/hobbies into serious profession, I would just say that if you can’t live without art you should not live without it. Do what makes you happy and live your dream. And keep observing around, we are midst inspiration and opportunities.

Do you think Clients are opening up to keeping aside a decent respectable budget for design work? Do you think clients are understanding that they need to invest in Design as a communication tool and also to cut the clutter, and that good design comes at a price?
Yes, as many clients I have worked for they all have an understanding about the impact of design and the efforts put into making it. Also, they valued it well in terms of budget.

Mac or PC?
Frankly, doesn’t make much difference to me. Majority of my work is tactile.

Who would you like to take out for dinner?
Ummm… It’s a secret 😛 (just kidding, no such plans for now)

What’s on your iPod?
Complete Bollywood collection, from 90s to the latest. I am a big bollywood fan, Shuddh filmy. 😀

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Shovona Karmakar : In conversation with a Photographer / Artist

Interviews, Photographers, , , 6 comments

 

A Fine art Graduate from Kala Bhawan, Vishwabharti University, Shantiniketan and with a Foundation in Design from MIT Pune, She has well practiced in the visual media Specifically in Photography along Textile design and Graphic print. She has mixed up her sensibilities quite depicted in her Concepts,Food,Portraits and Cinemagraphs….

Along being a photographer she has worked as a Digital Artist in Wacom India, an internship with Vogue India, Documenter for Tata Tanishq and others…

She believes in an endless ongoing process to evolve and expand her capabilities as an artist and being ..

 

Why are you a photographer?
Photography and trying to make a living out of it, I personally feel is a mere play of my destiny .. which I guess had planned for me.. I was always into sketching and painting since childhood.. and after I gave up the plan to go for Indian Civil Service, I was planning for Animation and though I got through a design college.. I left to pursue for traditional painting. as I wanted to make something more personal.. but gradually I felt for a camera and digital illustration and art.. and finally after all those trials and errors of making life worth.. I found this medium of making Visuals..called photography..

I come from a family where parents give up their dreams to let their children live theirs.. it was a mere surprise for me to find my dad into photography in his 20’s and 30’s with a agfa click 4 film point and shoot camera.. and my mom being a self taught classical singer and dancer.. I guess I got their genes which helps me think creative and make it large every next day..

Do you remember any decisive moment when you felt ‘I want to be a photographer’?
Coming to the plan of being a photographer.. was one of the most interesting evolution I can ever think can happen with me or anybody.. bored of the very outdated techniques taught in my art college.. I brought a digital camera.. and while then I came across the idea of 365 project , I thought to do something but with a personal touch.. I just randomly planned to do a 365 self portrait which I named DESI INSIDE.. PARDESI OUTSIDE.. clicking myself for one complete year .. and shared it over various social media platform and it so happened.. that people started following me and I got the niche to move on with it … Then a life turning factor came.. and I believe self blessed to have it… Ritam Banerjee, an internationally known photographer .. saw my work and gave me an opportunity to come down to Mumbai..and helped me to see the industry in more practical terms..sure his guidance all these years has helped to make various logistics involved become easy to deal with.. He still plays an important role to help me become a better Photographer both Personally and Professionally…

Were there any particular role models for you when you grew up?
I belong to an industrial community where being an Engineer or Doctor is meant important in life.. anything else is a taboo.. my parents wanted me to pursue any of the above as they were aware how to go about it.. but they were at the same time very supportive about what I want to be and where my interest belongs.. Beside my Dad and my mentor… being an art history student ..I came across and studied various national and international artist from various mediums like painting to graphic print to sculpture… understanding the way they lived their creative life, struggles and how they came up with what they came up is important in terms of understanding its own evolution..

Who was the most influential personality on your career in photography?
I somewhere felt free and got the gut to think differently when I came across one of the best photographers internationally ,Erik Almas.. his personal struggle for 20 years to get his big break into this industry still give me the Lift when I feel Blue.. sure his works amazes people.. but his personal struggles is something amazes me above all..

How has photography changed over the course of the last couple of decades? Is execution/art direction more important than it used to be?
To be honest I am just a starter into this industry.. still having those baby steps.. But if u ask me to talk about it.. Photography in India.. has changed since the Camera companies has started marketing it immensely and the reasonable prices have made it reachable to every individual now..Sure Having it digital is the biggest Revolution into this field.. Though the positive aspect I feel.. is the Respect now as a Professional Photographer gets, but still indians has to understand the good work from the bad.. as every one is becoming a photographer its giving a tough fight for the one who deserves.. as in India.. involved Logistic Quantity Dominates over Quality..

What do you think of the current state of Print Advertising photography in India? Is it at par with the work done worldwide?
India is Growing.. the evolution of internet has made the world small.. coming aware of whats happening abroad is not a surprising factor anymore.. Sure Indian Creative industry concerns more over Quantity than Quality, few Indian photographers have proved they are at par with international standards.. Still a lot of awareness about the Quality has to be done in creative Institutes and other.
I don’t feel we lack anything.. If one is given a freedom of expression… taking care what the concept demands.. sure We can give a tough competition to the west.

Where do you get your inspiration?
WWW.GOOGLE.COM

How did you get focussed so much on food photography?
I am a big foodie… as I lost 20 kgs during my well admired project of 365 self portrait, I became quite a health conscious person.. As I live alone and i spent my quality time beside my working table ..is in kitchen.. trying to come out with something healthy and simple, Thanks to my dietician.. 😀 .. so being a photographer .. trying a hand over this topic was not a surprise.. it again helped me to share what I like with people. Initially I remained terrible with it.. but gradually as I studied others work, I started coming up with decent images.. enough to call clients like restaurants and cooking hobbyist to photograph and document their product respectively…

Cinemagraphs are still a new medium. How did you start creating them?
Cinemagraphs, or living photographs is something will force you to see things differently.. Came across these simple GIFS while I was Googling..researched about the technicalities involved.. and gradually I started observing these Frames with mere actions in my day to day life..

My very first cinemagraph was about two carpenters working in their factory…

Initially you don’t get whats happening .. but as you start shaping the image to a living image.. it just becomes an immortal movement…

Though this medium has some restrains.. but above all.. its sometimes somewhere speaks more than a photographs and I like that factor.. the production of a seamless cinema graphs has its own challenge which one can come out with proper planning..

Was there any time when you wanted to quit photography?
Well I have just started.. so this question doesn’t imply on me now.. but for sure.. creating visuals is something I guess I will not get bored off.. not so soon I guess.. as I keep on trying to incorporate other mediums to make it larger than what it remains.. and yes making a living out of it.. requires a lot of patience and input in-terms of hard-work and lots of homework to make clients believe what you are capable off.. which is sometimes frustrating..

Any current work in Indian Advertising that you find exciting? Especially Print?
There are many whom I admire and get inspired a lot from.. Old is gold.. Nirma.. Lijjat papad and latest Vodaphone and Fevicol are some which are anytime amusing.. I admire the Indian Flavour Amul Print Advertisment has carried all the way all these years..

Whats your dream project?
Talking about dreams projects.. I will like to say SURPRISE projects.. :D.. my first 365 self portrait 2010-2011, project which I just started randomly was a Surprise for me… that I did..then last year.. I planned to discover Chattisgarh, India and it surprised me with its beauty.. discovered some amazing landscapes to getting an unexpected entry to open coal mines.. going all the way 150feet deep down the earth and discovering the FIRE OVER WATER factor and then the portrait session of Coal Employees.. coming from various part of INDIA working harmoniously keeping aside all the cultural and religious differences aside.. was quite an learning experience for me
Presently I am doing my second 365 days.. 🙂

looking forward for more surprise projects which will help me discover myself…. 😀

Who would you want to spend a dinner with?
Back home with my family..

Whats on your iPod?
Though I carry a transcend as it fitted my budget over IPOD.. I love to have those pop music and instrumental.. forcing me tap my feet and rock on hard…

Mac or PC?
I started with a PC.. but now I find self addicted to Mac 😀

 

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Rajaram Rajendran : Digital Art

Interviews, , , 6 comments

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Rajaram Rajendran, runs a Bangalore based tiny film production studio called Eleven Elements, where he makes films, and does digital image production. He consults on interactive and app design, runs occasional free workshops on designing for the digital medium, digital filmmaking and matte painting. He also clicks some photos sometimes, writes an article here and there and makes some music.

Why are you an Illustrator?
I’ve been making random images since 2004, but never knew what to call it. Then i started visiting Deviant Art sometime in 2008, and suddenly a whole world of Digital Art opened up. Because of the kind of work I saw there then, I got super inspired, started messing with more digital illustrations and some photo manips, and from there it kinda kicked on, as I kept learning.

Did you attend school for fine art or design?
No. But we have the internet.
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Valiyaveetil Sanoop : Interview

Creative, Interviews, , , 4 comments

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From Payyanur, village in Kannur, Kerala. Started career with JWT Bangalore and now working as a senior visualizer at O&M Bangalore.

Why are you an Illustrator?
Because i love illustration, more than being an illustrator, i would like to be an art director

Did you attend school for fine art or design?
Yes i did. Got graduated in Applied Arts from college of fine arts, Trivandrum. Kerala.

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Karthik M : Interview with an advertising creative

Interviews, Productivity and Tools, , , , , , 4 comments

 

Just like it says on his website, Karthik M is a guy who loves to make things, who lives with his musical better half, and who sincerely believes that one day both his feline sons will start talking to him. He loves doing side projects, just like Ji Lee and SwissMiss. He’s the author of @mysmallstories on Twitter. He keeps a thick beard to hide his double chin, and will often scratch it while pretending to think. He finds it very, very difficult to write about himself, be it in the third person, or out of that person.

Why are you into Advertising?
Because it lets me revel in my misfit-ness, and pays me for it too.
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