We have decided to inverview some of our intrepid designers on what they do, how they do it and what makes them tick in terms of design! (We also threw in a few questions about DesignCrowd so we could find out what drives the amazing designers on our site!)
The following interview was answered by Elisha Leo, our number one logo designer for 2010 on DesignCrowd. (Also keep an eye out for Xpiderz and Chomp Interviews Coming Soon!)
Your Design Background:
Tell us about yourself in 50 words or less - where do you live, what sort of designer are you?
Hello! I'm Elisha. I grew up in Indonesia and moved to Toronto, Canada early this year. Drawing portraits and cartoons are what I love best, besides designing logos. Some of the styles that inspire me are Swiss style design, vintage, gothic, and web 2.0.
How did you get started in design?
I didn't know the job existed until thirteen years ago my friend told me about her brother being a graphic designer.
How did you learn about design, what training did you get?
I was working as a designer before I learned it formally, so it was like a backward process.
What is your preferred design software?
A combination of Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop, . I can't live without them!
What is your design process? (e.g. do you sketch out a rough, do you hit the computer first etc.)
Depends on the size of the project and the deadline, of course. If I were given a week and a hot budget, I'd prefer to sketch it on a piece of paper before drawing it on computer.
Where do you think creativity comes from?
Movies, comic books, fashion, everything that is visual. Literally seeing a lot will help with options in shapes, colours, and textures.
What web development or coding languages (if any) do you know?
Simple HTML, I'm really not good in this. Planned to learn it since 10 years ago, but a friend who does coding has been preventing me from doing it.
What is the best thing about being a designer?
Nobody else gets paid for drawing a monkey.
Describe a typical day in your life as a designer.
Wake up at 9.00, turn on my laptop, check for messages, enjoy my breakfast, work until 12.30, go jogging, come back for lunch and work. If there's a lot of work, I might work until bed time, but if there isn't, I sneak out of my office at 4 or 5, anytime I want at all.
What websites or other designers inspire you?
James Jean, Caesar Ray, Si Scott, Locomotive, Abduzeedo, etc.
What are the benefits of being a freelance designer?
Flexible time, flexible place, flexible pay, ha ha..
What is your top tip to aspiring designers?
Always learn something new to build your own style, not to lose it. I myself am working on this one too.
All about You:
Are you male or female?
Female.
Describe the city that you live in.
Currently I'm staying in Jakarta, Indonesia. The city is a rich mixture of many different cultures. A lot of influences from Javanese, Middle Eastern, Indian, and European in the architecture and other work of art. I love batik and traditional wood carvings, and the people are very friendly.
What is the best thing you have bought with the money from DesignCrowd?
Airplane tickets. I love travelling.
If you could be any logo design in the world which one would you be?
Shan Rahimkhan.
What is your best design on DesignCrowd to date?
I think it's the Ama Lurra Cafe logo with the coffee harvest girl, although it needs a little tweaking.
If you could design for anyone in the world who would it be and why?
Apple Computer Inc. Because while we're trying to predict what the future of design will be, they create tools for it.
If you weren't a designer what would you be?
A farmer.
Do you enjoy designing now as much as you did when you first started?
A fluctuating passion of designing is constant. Overall, designing now is more enjoyable than when I first started because now I know more tools and techniques that I can use.
Why do you use DesignCrowd:
Why do you use DesignCrowd and how has DesignCrowd helped you?
I use DesignCrowd because I have to travel frequently from Toronto to Indonesia back and forth, so it's not possible to have a permanent job or local clients that require face to face meeting, design follow-ups and print handling. DesignCrowd has helped me to mobilize my work, and enables me to travel anywhere I want.
Have you found that using DesignCrowd gives you access to more clients?
Yes, there are clients who would prefer to work one-on-one, and when they find a suitable designer on DesignCrowd, they'll continue with other projects as well.
Have you come across any exciting customers on DesignCrowd and if so Who?
Likwid Eyece, LaughTV, RockStarr Limo, Rent Method, The Yoga House.
What is your favourite brief on DesignCrowd at the moment?
OMG, can't remember specifically. Anything long! A long brief is always good.
What new things would you like to see on DesignCrowd in the future?
Would love to see more projects from famous companies!
Written by DesignCrowd on Monday, January 10, 2011
DesignCrowd is an online marketplace providing logo, website, print and graphic design services by providing access to freelance graphic designers and design studios around the world.
