Interview with Jeremi Total: Inside Scoop for New Designers

August 11, 2008 · Print This Article

The other day we interviewed Adamwood House: Interview with Adam Woodhouse: Inside Scoop for New Designers and today we had the pleasure of also interviewing Jeremi Total who’s vector designs are quite extraordinarily brilliant.

The Interview

How did you get into design?

I guess I have always been fascinated with art and commercial designs. I never stopped drawing since I was fairly young and I was introduced to photoshop during my high school years. At this point I never wanted to go back to the pencil. I loved the almost infinite possibilities and freedom I could get with the computer. I also loved the fact that, compared to a drawing or a painting, if you add or change something to a design in progress and then hate what you have just done, you can always undo.

Your designs are striking, and very good. Did you take any courses or otherwise? And if you have, would you recommend them to new designers or…?

I actually studied in fine art in college a few years ago and even if none of my classes had to do with computer design, they were very helpful to help translating my thoughts into concrete artwork and how to get inspired. Even though I had studied Photoshop in high school, I learned everything I know about computer design by searching the web and trying the different tools of the softwares.

I have yet to see two of the same designs, each piece in your portfolio is strong, I have yet to see a piece that is simply a “filler”. What inspires you? How do you continue to push the bar higher?

Lets say I get bored easily and I always get moved by something new. I go with my moods and often get inspired by the music I listen to at a particular moment. I always work on a ton of projects at the same time, but very few of them are finished during the same period and most of them have a total different meaning at the end. It is very rare that I don’t feel inspired by something, but when I feel like I am repeating myself, I just stop working for a while and come back when I feel excited about another idea.

What Programs do you use to create your designs?

Primarily the Adobe stuff - Illustrator, Photoshop… and Maxon’s Cinema 4D.

Roughly, what are the steps you take when starting a new design?

First, I sketch all my ideas in a notepad so if I am in the subway or with my friends, I don’t lose any ideas. Then I usually trace a drawing or a picture with Adobe Illustrator and finally finish the whole design in Photoshop.

What is your advice to new designers?

I think the best thing when you start is to read as many tutorials as you can no matter if they interest you or not and try to learn to be comfortable with the software you use. Many techniques that seem useless now, may help you later. Once you know the basics, try to create something without being too focused on the final result. It can be easy to get discouraged if things don’t look the way you want them to look. To get inspired, look at publicity, billboards, cd covers, read art magazines, browse the web for images that inspire you… Finally, once you make something you like, do not stick to one way of doing things and do dwell too much on the compliments you receive from your friends and family. Usually, people that do not know how to use a computer to create designs are easily pleased and these compliments can prevent you from making something different and better every time.

Do you have any websites, forums, designers you find inspiring and helpful?

I really recommend books like “Illustration Now”, “Graphics Alive” and “Illusive,” they are full of illustrations from world famous artists that can help you define your style. You can also check out graphic design internet societies such as computerarts.co.uk or join communities of artists like DeviantArt, Evokeone.com and Depthcore.com. These website are especially good because other designers as much as art lovers can review your work.

Who’s work has inspired you?

My top 3 would be: Donald Kilpatrick III, Scott Hansen and Jordan Crane.

Athletes aim for the Olympics as their biggest goal, highest mountain to climb. What’s your biggest mountain?

Hmmm, hard to say, to have my own exhibition somewhere here in New York City.

What is the most challenging thing for you in your design area?

The biggest challenge is to be part of a very competitive field and try to be innovative when there are so many good artists out there. It feels very good when others get inspired by your own work!!

What has been your biggest learning curve?

Learning the software came along easily, but being able to create something that is both popular to the mainstream and different at the same time was quite a challenge.

- Jeremi Total

Website: www.jeremitotal.com
DeviantART: www.jeremic.deviantart.com