Portal by Pamela Thomas

Por Ana Thomas

Fotografia Jean Fondeur

I'm sure some of you might have heard his name, seen his awesome wallpapers, or are already using one of them. Portal is pleased to bring you an interview with this digital artist, Vlad Gerasimov, who is from Irkutsk, Russia. He runs Vladstudio which specializes in creating wallpapers for computers and mobile devices. In this interview, Vlad shares with us his humble beginnings as a designer and how he got started with creating wallpapers as fulltime self-employment. He also shares his ideas, inspirations, and future plans. Vlad has a unique style of illustration, with simple lines and shapes. His work has great themes, which promises to win the hearts of viewers and make them happy! So let's move on to have a digital chat with him! 1. Hello Vlad, how are you today?

become a rock star.

What are you working on at this mo-

My typical day may seem not so

ment?

interesting. I spend most of day at

Hi! I'm very well as always, thanks! :-)

home, sitting with my MacBook Pro

Right now, I am having my morning

(because I am a home-based wor-

coffee and finishing my new wallpa-

ker). I reply to e-mails of my websi-

per, "The Traveling Tree." The artwork

te visitors and clients, maintain and

itself is completed, and I'm busy sa-

improve my website, and of course,

ving JPG files for all possible formats

I always draw something in Photos-

(for 2,3 monitors, mobile phones,

hop.

etc). 3. How did you get started in gra2. Tell us about your background,

phics and the digital art field? Please

where are you from? How is a typi-

describe the evolution of your work,

cal day for you?

from your first project to the present

I was born and have always lived in

day. Do you freelance full-time?

Irkutsk, Russia. It is located near lake

My father and older brother are pro-

Baikal, the deepest lake in the world

grammers, so I had access to very

by the way. I received economical

early computers since my birth in

education, but never spent a minute

1981. But I did not use computers for

working as an economist! I also play

design until my brother needed de-

piano and guitar, and dreamed to

signing help in 1999 - he needed cus-

open it in Photoshop, create basic shapes with vector tools. Then I add shadows and highlights with large, soft brushes, then add all the little details. 5. I love how you design the beautiful wallpapers. They have great themes, lovely colors, they are detailed and proportionate. How did you develop this simple yet appealing style?

tom

Hmm, I think it was not intentional,

"skins" to

replace

standard

Windows controls (such as buttons, scrollbar, etc). So I learned Photoshop a bit and started making interfaces (skins, icons, other graphics for software). Over time, I also learned HTML and PHP, then started making web sites. I worked as a designer in a small

this style developed itself. :-) Maybe part of the reason is that I spent a lot of time making icons, and therefore my art inherited some of icon design principles - clear lines and details, pseudo-3D, etc. Other reason is that I like to draw things that skip your brain and go straight to your heart. This style of drawing helps me to

company for some time, then I decided to try working for myself, and started my own website Vladstudio. It was only a designer portfolio at first. While working for various clients, I played with Photoshop and created artworks, just for fun. The idea to publish these artworks as wallpapers was very lucky for me over time, my wallpaper were more and more popular. So a year ago, I decided to stop working as a freelance designer, and try to make my living only with wallpapers. So far, it works! 4. How do you mainly produce your art? Can you give us an insight into your creative process? Do you sketch your works out by hand first? I actually have many tutorials that show typical workflow. Yes, I start with pencil sketch of a wallpaper most of the time. Then I scan it,

achieve that. 6. When did you launch your website and what is the most important thing that you accomplished with it? Why did you choose to distribute your artwork as wallpapers? Hmm, I will need to check with my archives, I don't remember! :-) My first website was art.softshape.com (not online now) and was a subdomain of my brother's website, www. softshape.com. My current website,

vladstudio.com, is very important to me - because it is actually my only

7. Most of your works has ani-

source of income now!

mal or nature themes. How

I distributed my artworks as wallpa-

does nature influence your

pers because I wanted people to

creativity? What are your

use my art, not only look at it, then

main sources of inspi-

close and forget. Wallpaper design

ration, any particular

has some limitations (should be dark

artist(s) or website(s)?

and not too busy), but I am OK with

Yes, many of my

that. I also believe that the huge

recent works look

part of my success is many extra

like they are de-

features. Right now, my website vi-

signed for children

sitors can:

(many adults like

• Set my art as a desktop back-

them too though).

ground, or background of mobile

There are too many

phone (almost 70 screen sizes are

artists that inspire

supported)

me. Often, I stumble

• Send my art as e-cards

upon another artist on

• Buy posters, t-shirts, mugs, etc

the Internet that draws

• Learn from design tutorials

so much better that me!

• Change wallpapers randomly with

That challenges me, and

a Companion program

I try to constantly improve.

• Have my art with a clock on their

As for particular websites, I

desktop (wallpaper clock)

find a lot of good art at devian-

• I am working

tart.com, and I always check out

ma-

king

russian photo site, photosight. ru. General inspirationrelated sites, such as smashingmagazine. com, are good too. 8. Of all the work you've created, can you name a couple of them that you have a special love for or connection to? Every artwork is as a child, you know I think

b l o g

the most special for me are:

templates (in-

• Learning to Fly - don't know why,

cluding Wordpress themes) from

but it resonates with me

some of my artworks.

• Planet Earth - Inversed - that's my

most popular artwork ever

replying to your question, I think my favorite

9. Aside from your design work you

small trick is fast hair,

also seem to enjoy writing Photoshop tutorials, can you share with us your favorite Photoshop trick or technique? I would be careful picking a trick just for the sake of a trick. The worst you can do in Photoshop is to design something that says "Look how I can do it!" Always use tools and tricks that help you tell the story, not only because they're cool. Sorry, that was necessary to say :-) and

because I invented it myself, without any advice.

11. Do you have any specific plans for the future direction of your art-

10. Since your artworks and illus-

work?

trations mostly have vector style,

I really hope to keep making art

why not choose to design them in

until I am very old and have lots of

Illustrator instead of Photoshop, or

grandsons. Also, I find myself more

maybe start them with Illustrator

and more interested in illustrating

and polish them up in Photoshop?

for children. For example, I just finis-

For several reasons. First, I'm too

hed a set of 12 artworks for a Czech

lazy to learn Illustrator. :-) Then, pure

toy manufacturer. When I improve

vector drawing is not for me too - I

enough, I plan to start working on

use vectors for basic shapes, but

illustrations for "Little Prince" (maybe

most of work is done later done

in 2-4 years I hope!). And of course

with pixel tools. And for this purpo-

all my artworks will be published on

se, the vector tools of Photoshop

my website as wallpapers for your

are quite enough.

desktop.

TITLE: Paseo fuera del jardin ARTIST: Gerard Ellis WORK DATE: 2009 CATEGORY: Paintings MATERIALS: mixed media on canvas SIZE: h: 92 x w: 70 in

Con Chuck Anderson Por Josmeiry Hernandez Imagenes y Fotografia Jean Fondeur

Success comes with time and effort, and we can see a prime example of that in this weeks interview. As an extremely bright veteran of the design world Chuck Anderson has done a ton of work for large corporations such as ESPN, Reebok, and even created album covers for artists like Lupe Fiasco, and FallOut Boy. Chuck shares some important tips with us and gives us a look at his book "Wandering Off Into Space". So check out this interview and also check out that book, the proceeds go to charity.

1. Welcome to Portal, please introduce yourself. Could you tell us where you're from and how you got started in the field? My name is Chuck Anderson and I've been running my studio NoPattern for just over 5 years now. I'm originally from the Chicago area but currently reside in understated and quietly cool Grand Rapids, Michigan. As for how I got started, I've said this in a million interviews, but after high school I decided to take a break for a year before I went to college. During that time I was working on getting my personal art and design out on the web, in magazines, etc. and work started coming to me as a result of that. In around the spring/summer of 2004 things really started to snowball and I got busy enough that I decided I would move forward with it and never look back, totally bypassing school. I had the support of my parents (I was 18 at this time) so I just went after my dream of being a fulltime artist and designer as my own boss. Looking back sometimes I can't believe how well it's worked out. I'm very grateful to a lot of people.

2. You are currently selling a book called "Wandering Off Into Space." Tell us what we are in for if we do decide to purchase it. It's a look back at my work from the last 3 years or so, since I put out my last book in 2006. A mix of personal and commercial work including drawing, photography, illustration, and Photoshop work. It's really a supplement to my online portfolio, NoPattern - kind of a more permanent version of the site, something tangible to hold and show people in real life. 3. Now give us some reasons why we should buy your book over the many other design books out there? Ha. Put me on the spot like that! I don't know, because I'm donating portions of sales to Invisible Children and it looks nice on a Nelson bench or coffee table.

4. What initially made you want to

from others you might be up against

create a book of your work?

for a new client's work.

I think it's really, really unfortunate that so many artists let their work live almost exclusively on the internet. Art and design - it's great seen on the computer screen for sure, but it's meant to be seen on walls or in a book, properly printed and in context of a page, rather than pixels. At least that's my opinion. Both are necessary, but I just love going above and beyond the regular old portfolio website. Everyone is an artist or designer the moment they put up a site with a few designs on there. It takes a little more seriousness and dedication to invest time and money in producing, promoting, and selling a real actual book. I would encourage everyone who can to try doing it. I can also say from experience that being able to send a potential client a few copies of your book overnight really can seal the deal on winning work. It's worked wonders many times for me. Great way to help you stand out

5. Many of our readers might not know, but you were the designer of the critically acclaimed album "Lupe Fiasco's Food and Liquor." Could you walk us through the whole process, from being contacted to creating the cover. And did you work hands on with the artist? Or did he give you a specific outline for the cover? Lupe is a really visionary artist who is in a great position to promote fresh art and design. He contacted me after I met with him several years to do photos of him for LTD Magazine - we met in person in Chicago at St. Alfred's for that photo shoot and stayed in touch after. As for the process, he had this crazy skateboard with an illustration on it that inspired the whole look of him floating in the air with things around him. We met up at a studio in Chicago, I did all the photography of him for the cover and back cover of the booklet, then shot all the photos of his belongings that are floating around him. So the vision and concept was all his - as for the aesthetic, production, and execution, that was all mine, inspired by his words

and thoughts for it. Turned out really

Always be thinking what's next whi-

cool - a very memorable cover for

le perfecting what's now.

a unique artist. 6. You have a very large client base

7. Can you tell us about your first

ranging from companies like ESPN to

Photoshop experience and how

Reebok. How does a designer build

much you have evolved since then?

up a strong clientele?

What is the most important lesson

I hate answering this question be-

you have learned?

cause I've realized there is really no

My first Photoshop experience!? I

right answer for it. The way I've got-

have no idea. I remember getting

ten clients - by contacting people

like, Photoshop 4, maybe even 3,

by email, having my work seen in

years and years ago. This is when I

as many online and print outlets as

was probably in junior high. We're

possible and just networking really

talking like 1999 here or something.

hard - I feel

a great way

do it. I

don't

k n o w how

instruct someone

do that - just be personable, real, upfront, and above all, do at-

So whatever I could get my hands

tractive work that is memorable and

on then, some limited or educatio-

unique. If you offer up what 100 other people offer up, you're going to be just that - one out of a hundred, or these days, out of thousands. So it comes down to unique, fresh, and forward-thinking design mixed with unending work ethic and a determination to succeed no matter what. That's what sets some people apart. Also, think long term. Don't think that one magazine feature or one big client is the peak of your career if you're just starting out. Look at it as a baby step to bigger, better things.

nal version, was all I had. I thought

probably get yourself in trouble for

it was great, but so complex. I just

doing that one way or another! Ha!

remember using it and working at it all through high school and by my

9. Thanks again for providing Portal

senior year it was second nature to

with this opportunity to interview

me.

you. Any final thoughts for our rea-

However, I have mostly learned that

ders?

you always evolve with Photoshop,

Don't try to be me or any other

much like any other medium or tool.

designer. Just find out what makes

The most important thing to know is

you YOU. Figure out what YOU

that you are always learning. Always

love, what YOU love to do and

a student to your medium. Even An-

create. Sometimes that requires a

nie Leibovitz said that about photo-

step back from actual working and

graphy in an interview recently with

designing and just looking, listening,

American Photo. Be a fan, be a lo-

getting inspired, and being a spon-

ver, be a student of your medium

ge to the world around you.

and that's how you'll become great

Don't force things. People who force things get forced out. Let it

at it. Never think you've mastered

come to you naturally, slowly, pace

it, there's always something new to

yourself, have fun, and do it as long

learn somehow. 8. Are there any specific techniques you use when designing that you would suggest to someone who is starting out in the same field as you? There are probably people that would like to murder me for saying this, but I've often designed in RGB first even if the final file has to be CMYK for print output. I've found it best to work in the natural color mode for a screen first, save your layered PSD, then flatten, then convert to CMYK (never convert to CMYK when its still layered...trust me.) Then after I flatten, I'll pull the colors up with saturation and contrast control. This is really only used in specific instances where I know the client only needs the flattened image. Otherwise, I'll work from the start in CMYK. I don't know...that was probably a bad tip because you'll

Pringles : Surprisingly crispy Advertising Agency: Grey Worldwide, Frankfurt, Germany  Creative Director: Tim Jacobs  Art Directors: Katja Klodt-Bussmann, Peter Schönwandt  Copywriter: Christoph Pfeffer  Photographer: Thomas Balzer  Other additional credits: mo postproduction GmbH, Meike Wittenstein  Published: March 2009

Mtv eat this ad Advertising Agency: Loducca, São Paulo, Brazil  Creative Director: Guga Ketzer  Head of Art: Cassio Moron Art Directors: Daniel Poletto, Kika Botto, Carlos Thunm  Copywriters: Rodrigo Senra, Andre Godoi  Released: September 2008

Elefanten shoes: Playbox, 2 Take the shoes out and come in! Advertising Agency: Grey Group / G2 Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany  Creative Directors: Birgit Hogrefe, Christoph Knoebel  Art Director: Claudia Sackmann  Copywriter: Sebastian Merget  Illustration: Jennifer Eckert  Published: August 2008

Blusens: Orgy of the senses Advertising Agency: BAP& CONDE , A Coruña , Spain  Creative Directors: Miguel Conde, Tony fernandez  Art Director: Alfonso Serrano  Copywriters: Oscar Villar, Alfonso Molinelli  Illustrator: Gael Lendoiro  Photographer: Emilio Montero  Account Manager: Ana Belen Vazquez  Client contact: Miguel Churruca  Published: April 2009

Makita: 20 562 Holes Advertising Agency: Saatchi & Saatchi, Johannesburg, South Africa  Creative Director: Bennie Du Plessis  Art Directors: Jade Manning, Jp De Villiers  Copywriters: Bennie Du Plessis, Russell Grant; Musa Sithole  Photographers: Simon Scholtz, Harold Webster  Art Buyer: Vernadi Simpson  Account Supervisor: Zoe Willems  Account Manager: Skye Capazorio  Planner: Adene Van Der Walt  Additional credits: Sagren Reddy  Published: 2009

35 1-

6D -5-

7776655

435

JAPAN DE IN MA

on lens 35-55mm Nik

F 3.6-3 0

6D -5-

7776655

IN JAPAN

35 1-

435

DE MA

on lens 35-55mm Nik

F 3.6-3

Jean fondeur Playa de Juan Dolio Rep Dom

Debajo, participacion en la exposicion ‘‘WallRider’’. A la derecha proyecto personal ‘‘je te kife’’ wallpaper

- Location Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic - Doing Business As ELTALLER - Creative Fields Advertising, Art Direction, Illustration - Tags Advertising, ArtDirection & Illustration - Advertising Work done in a local agency for multiple clients - Illustrations ArtWork done with non-specific purpose - URL http://www.behance.net/carloschu