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Interview with Todd Watts |
Home > Designer Interviews > Todd Watts |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer Todd Watts (TW) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of Todd Watts by clicking here.
FS: Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
TW: Growing up, I watched my father work as a songwriter. Often helping him I learnt about type, balance and basic commercial art practice. At the time I had no interest in becoming a designer, I didn’t even know that was a career. I studied and performed music and went in and out of various careers until finally I came full circle back into design.
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
TW: I’m currently a graphic designer and animator at Yelldesign and one half of the design practice Milk + Cookies.
FS: What is "design" for you?
TW: Visual communication that balances between unconventional advertising and minimalistic elegance to convey a message in the quickest, easiest form.
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
TW: Branding communication that combines created craft and hand-made elements.
FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
TW: I love the branding work for ‘Froda’ created by SNASK. They created a living visual identity that was bold, colourful and extremely unique. https://www.behance.net/gallery/44583983/Froda
FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
TW: A logo and brand guidelines for an electrical company called ‘Four Aces Technologies’.
FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
TW: I love working with paper or materials and stop motion animation. Its an unexpected combination that when combined makes for a very appealing creation.
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
TW: Usually very early mornings and very late at night.
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
TW: The concept is key for me. It needs to scream its purpose immediately.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
TW: In no particular order; stress, anxiety, joy, excitement amazement, and exhaustion.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
TW: Relief. Haha!
FS: What makes a design successful?
TW: If its easily understood or creates meaningful conversation.
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
TW: Purpose is most important in design. If it has no purpose then whats the point.
FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
TW: Other designers, films, art, travel and design play.
FS: How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
TW: I love combining minimal design with hand-crafted design executions. I think these two elements create an appealing design solution.
FS: Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
TW: I live in Melbourne, Australia. The artistic culture of Melbourne is profound. Its a great place to be creative and theres a lot of talented competition. Design in Australia is very different to the rest of the world. From my perspective design in Australia is noticed, a new cafe, a new logo. Design in the US or Europe is expected.
FS: How do you work with companies?
TW: Unconventional design solutions executed with a high level of professionalism.
FS: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
TW: Find someone with a great work ethic. Someone who is passionate and who isn't afraid to express their opinion.
FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
TW: I usually start with heavy research followed by sketching and brainstorming then various creative experimentation involving paint, drawing and collages. Finally I begin digital trials and the process starts again.
FS: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
TW: Multiple wide screen monitors, my calendar, my MiGoals working pads, a good ink pen and my Wacom tablet.
FS: Can you describe a day in your life?
TW: Working at a content creation and animation agency is lots of fun, everyday is new and exciting. My day usually starts at 6.30, I get up early for breakfast, a coffee and a morning jog then I head to the office to check my daily tasks and look over various design blogs. Our day begins with a morning meeting to discuss the day and our progress. My roles at YellDesign include concept development, paper-crafting, animation and client liaison. After work I either stay at the studio to explore ideas or meet with Milk + Cookies to discuss our clients and various projects.
FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
TW: Ask questions, be confident and remember that just because you wear a suit and tie doesn't make you a professional.
FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
TW: Its an exciting life, in my experience its always new and never boring. Always exciting seeing some of your work in the flesh, on a billboard or on a business window.
FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
TW: Multiple calendars and note pads help. I have to plan out my weeks and days in advance whenever possible.
FS: What was your most important job experience?
TW: Interning at SNASK agency in Stockholm, Sweden.
FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
TW: I love to test myself, traveling while working is a great way to do this so I'm interested in working or interning abroad.
FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
TW: Both, I feel that working as a team produces better results.
FS: How can people contact you?
TW: Visit my website - www.toddwatts.com.au
FS: Thank you for providing us with this opportunity to interview you.
A’ Design Award and Competitions grants rights to press members and bloggers to use parts of this interview. This interview is provided as it is; DesignPRWire and A' Design Award and Competitions cannot be held responsible for the answers given by participating designers.
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