Eshark Design

Hi everyone!

Have you guys enjoy + learn something useful from the previous interview with Yuta Onada? Today, I’m giving you guys more great interview to read on, let me start with very talented designers from London, United Kingdom named Olly.

Firstly, tell us briefly little bit about yourself and what you do?
My name is Olly Howe and i am a designer & Illustrator from East London.

When you first got interested about art and design?
I went to university to design boats but the first year was all Maths and Physics, which I’m terrible at, so I quit the course and did an HND in Graphic Design at the local Art College. I haven’t looked back since.

For how long have you been a designer and what keeps you going for more?
Its been 6 years since I left college and I’ve been working on  commissions since then. I love the ever developing technology of Photoshop and the amount you can do with the program, there is always something new to learn and always new ways to apply these techniques to your work. This enables me to develop further as an artist and creates new and exciting challenges everyday.

Can you describe briefly of what’s your typical day of work.
Wake up at 8am and change my son’s nappy, I then spend the first few hours answering emails, doing interviews and other admin and then i will get stuck into any current projects at about 11am. I try to work out my plan for the day the night before, this enables me to design with a clear head. I always write things down as well, it means my brain doesn’t have to worry about things like remembering who I have to invoice that day. I’ll usually try and get away from the computer for a couple of hours at about 2ish, this usually means going to the skatepark or going out on my fixed gear bike. I finish around 7ish unless I am really busy, which is most of the time.

If you don’t mind telling, where do you usually source for good inspiration?
I draw a lot of inspiration from other artists. People like Neil Duerden, Peter Jaworski, Vault 49, 2 Advanced. My favorite artist at the moment is Karol Kolodzinski from Poland.

What is your frequent working process like once you’ve started working on a piece or design work?
I wouldn’t say I have a fixed way of working. When producing my own illustrations I don’t really start with solid ideas for what I want the final image to look like, I like to just let things happen, this is the beauty of working in Photoshop. Even mistakes can lead to better results. I like to work in this free way.

How did you improve your design work and illustration techniques?
In the early days I used to do a lot of tutorials, both online and in magazines, I still check out the odd one from time to time. Nowadays it’s more about fine tuning all the techniques that I’ve learnt along the way and also understanding how different combinations of Photoshop tools and filters can work together to produce unique results.

What are your preferred choice of software + hardware that you currently use to produce your such magnificent art?
All of these things help with my work both directly and indirectly.
Photoshop CS4, Illustrator CS4, Wacom Tablet, 24inch iMAC, Samsung HD digital camera, Sony noise cancelling headphones.

If you don’t mind telling again, what are your coming projects? and What are your goals or future plans for your career?
I’ve been working on my own stuff a lot recently. My new website has just gone live and I’ve just brought out my first limited edition tshirt, this is something I want to do more of, I would like to possibly start my own clothing label at some point. You can check out the t shirts on my website, there are still a few left. I’ve also recently had 4 new limited edition prints go up for sale on the clickforart website.

If you’re not a designer or illustrators, what will you be now?
Hopefully I would have been a professional skateboarder, well I can dream

What advice can you share for fresh designer and illustrators out there that are just starting their carrier now?
If you want to become an illustrator then try and develop your own style. If you don’t have any commissions then produce your own  personal work and try and get a portfolio together that reflects the field of illustration you want to work in. The more unique your work the more likely it is that you will be noticed. Bigger clients  are always on the look out for fresh approaches to their campaigns. Once you have a strong portfolio just send it to people, send it to all the clients you would like to work for, if the work is good you will eventually get a response.

Lastly, me at esharkdesign.com would like to say big thank you for this interview and wishing you all the best towards your carrier and to finalize.. I leave the last words for you.
Work is work but don’t take things to seriously, try and have fun with what you do and this will come across in your portfolio.

Olly Howe has quite number of jaw breaking artworks that are really awesome to look at, check out more of Olly’s work at www.4playgraphix.com, also you may like to check Olly’s other works at Behance.net and ClickforArt.com

I hope you guys enjoy reading the interview and at the same time get inspired with all these amazing piece. There will be more interview coming from several numbers of talented + expert + young designers out there, those are newbie here, might just like to subscribe to my RSS Feed!

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