Wednesday interview - Kellen Hatanaka

Today we present you Kellen Hatanaka, Toronto based illustrator, designer and artist. Take a look what he has to say about his work, things that he likes to do and stuff. Enjoy:

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Have you always wanted to become a artist/designer?

Yes and no. I’ve always been interested in design and making things, but I didn’t really understand what illustration or design was all about until I went to university. Once I realized there was a way to apply those interests and make a career out of it, I knew that’s what I wanted to do.

Which project has given you the most satisfaction?

I’ve been lucky enough to work on a lot of great projects over the last few years. The project that has given me most satisfaction recently has got to be my children’s alphabet book, Work: An Occupational ABC, which I just finished. It will be released this fall.

What types of books are on your bedside table?

Right now I’m very interested in furniture and product design so I’ve got a few Japanese Joinery books on the go.

What is the best moment of the day?

Hanging out with my wife after a long day of work.

What would be your dream project?

Recently I’ve been working on some home-wares products under the company name Datsu Brand. Continuing to develop and produce more products is what I’m really passionate about. Aside from that, doing some work for a skate company would be great!

Can you recommend some movie you've watched recently?

I really enjoyed the Charles Bradley documentary, Soul of America.

Who is your hero at the moment?

There are so many great designers and illustrators out there that inspire me. I have to say that the people who motivate me the most often are my close friends and colleagues Jim Mezei and Adrian Forrow, two incredible illustrators, and Markus Uran, who’s doing some really great stuff with his company Metsa. We’re all currently working together on a year-long project called Weekly Crop where we each produce one illustration per week based on common theme. It’s been a really awesome and motivating experience.

Cat or dog?

Dog for sure! My wife and I just adopted a puppy named Paul.

What is the best part of your work?

Over the last few years I’ve moved from working at an agency to freelancing and starting up Datsu. I think the best part of my work is that I get to work for my self in a variety of different disciplines including graphic design, illustration and product design.

If you were a character from a cartoon, which one would you be? :)

I think being one of the ninja turtles would be pretty awesome! They just skateboard, eat pizza and keep bad guys off the streets.

If you could do any other job what would you choose and why?

If I could, I would love to be in a band. It’s a pretty cliché answer, but I’ve always loved playing the drums and I think it would be amazing to tour and record for a living.

Where could we find you on friday night?

My wife and I love to host people at our place often for dinner, but you can also find me out at a concert or grabbing a drink with friends at a local bar.

Pepsi or Coke?

Coke.

Favorite blogs/sites etc.?

I’ve been really into the189.com recently. They’ve got an awesome web shop and blog with lots of really interesting content.

How would you define your personal work-life balance in terms of ratio (50/50 70/30 etc)?

It’s really hard to say. My work comes in waves so when I have a lot of projects on the go, or have a deadline work definitely takes up a lot of my time, but once that’s over, I get to enjoy a couple weeks off where I can really just hang out and enjoy my free time. With that said, I always make time at the end of the day to hang with my wife and puppy, it’s what keeps me sane at the end of crazy day!

What brings you joy? 

Spending time with family and friends, traveling and skateboarding. 

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For more info about Kellen's work, please visit his site to blog. Thank you very much for you answers, all the best in future projects.

Wednesday interview - Amy Harris

Amy Harris is an illustrator and set designer from London. She does beautiful work with paper, wood etc. and we are very pleased to have her as our guest on our blog. Take a look at her answers and her art work:

Have you always wanted to become an artist/designer?

Making scrapbooks, painting seashells and lots of drawing were a big part of my childhood. Enjoying being creative was something that never left me, but the idea of becoming an artist/designer was more subconscious until later on.

When I was at school, creative subjects were always important for me and it felt a natural progression to continue with that route. Once I decided to go onto an art foundation course, I knew I wanted to do something in the art and design industry, but I was never completely certain of what!  My understanding and experience of what it can mean to be an artist / designer is still evolving.

Which project has given you the most satisfaction?

That’s a hard one! Different projects are satisfying in different ways, so it’s difficult to pin down just one. Personal projects and the experiments that happen in the studio can be really satisfying because they help you to learn and develop by playing and making mistakes, but these aren’t always shared beyond that space.

In terms of commercial projects, The Times+ campaign was a great one to work on. It was a big learning curve for me at the time and gave me experience that helped me to push my work forward.

 

It was my first big advertising job, so felt really exciting. The final few days and installation were fast paced and full on, which was intense, but I learnt so much from it. It’s always a good feeling to work really hard on something and then see it come together, even if its not quite how you expected it too.

What types of books are on your bedside table?

A mix of novels, art & design books, Wallpaper* City Guides, a few old copies of Ladybird ‘How to Make’ books and a Lonely Planet Guide to Peru (I’m soon leaving on a 4 week trip around the country!)

What is the best moment of the day?

In the summer it’s late evening when the sun starts to go down. In the winter, it’s the morning time, in bed with a cup of tea and the radio on.

What would be your dream project?

Anything that involves an interesting concept and creative freedom.

Can you recommend some movie you've watched recently?

Wes Anderson’s ‘Moonrise Kingdom’

Who is your hero at the moment?

I don’t think I have a hero as such, but the late Alan Fletcher is a designer I’ve always looked up to. My friends, family and the people I share my studio with always inspire and motivate me, so I guess they fit the bill too!

Cat or dog?

Cat

How important is craftsmanship in your design process?

It often plays a part in the physical creation of my work, and helps me to bring my ideas to life in a tangible way, so it has an important place in my process.

I enjoy working with my hands and exploring materials and techniques, which in itself can inspire designing in new ways.

If you were a character from a cartoon, which one would you be? :)

The Roadrunner

If you could do any other job what would you choose and why?

To run my own shop / gallery / workshop space could be fun, or a role within an arts or music charity. I’m interested in the impact the arts can have within the charity sector and it’s something I’d be keen to learn more about.

Where could we find you on Friday night?

Having dinner or drinks with friends, at a gig or having a lazy night in watching a movie.

Pepsi or Coke?

Coke

Favorite blogs/sites etc.?

Present & Correct, Wrap Magazine, Muse & Maker, Ideastap

http://www.presentandcorrect.com/

http://www.wrapmagazine.com/

http://www.museandmaker.com/

http://www.ideastap.com/

How would you define your personal work-life balance in terms of ratio (50/50 70/30 etc)?

It really varies depending on how busy I am with freelance work. At times it’s super busy and work seems to dominate, and other times its much more balanced. Having a good work-life balance is really important to me, but it’s a varying thing!

What brings you joy? 

Family and friends, my surroundings, music, learning, creativity, new experiences, living in a diverse and engaging city and having moments away from that to reflect and explore new places.

Thank you very much Amy :) Hope you've enjoyed the interview and for more info and work  from Amy, please visit her web site

Sunday recap

Barbara's recap
Toys!!
1. Toys you can make for your kids 
2. Find answer here
3. Tokidoki
4. Tractor 
5. Hello Cat
6. Whirligig 

Tijana's work: little wooden objects

Ovo je jos jedan mali projekat koji je radjen za konkurs "Little wooden objects", koji je mogao da se vidi u Mikser house-u prosle nedelje.Na brzinu sam ga radila, ali svidja mi se kako je ispalo. Uzela sam manje-vise tipican izgled cigre i dodala tkaninu (coju) da malo razbijem drvenu konstrukciju- a da i dalje bude dinamicna.

This is another little project I did for the "Little wooden objects" competition that was exhibited in Mikser house last week- I did this one in kind of a hurry-but still like it. I used the standard look of a spin top- but added a little fabric(felt) for a different look-they are usually all wood.

Tijana's work: little wooden things

 Ovo je mali projekat koji sam radila za konkurs "Little wooden things" u okviru Mikser festivala. To su mali drveni(sa plutom ili materijalom) jastucici za igle.

This is a little project I did for the "Little wooden things" competition during the Mikser festival. They are small wooden-cork(or fabric) pin cushions.