7 (+ 1) Interview questions with DuJuan Sylvester

An interview was conducted with Graphic Designer and writer DuJuan Sylvester. In it we are able to discover much about his personality and his commitment to excellence in his work.

1. Have you always wanted to be a designer?

Surprisingly, no. I did not have any formal art training early in life. As I developed creatively my interests turned to music. My dream then was a professional music career. After putting myself wholly into music my interests changed drastically. I began on the trek of creating a CD cover and website. I then got involved in online Photoshop and design contests as a hobby. After being exposed to the design world I dove in and never turned back.

2. Who is your favorite graphic designer/company?

Avinoam Noma Bar: Since I began my studies on the fundamentals of design I have been increasingly aware of the use of negative space. The visual tension that it's created often brings an added voice to a design. Competing figures ground relationships can convey contrasting ideas. As a contemporary I feel that bar's work excels at capitalizing on this principle. I will qualify that and say that I am still looking.

3. In your opinion what is the most important part of the design process?

While each part of the design process could be considered important (it is a process after all) I think the most crucial part is in the planning. Especially with the digital tools afforded today, it would be very easy for a designer to become wrapped up in the tools and software and not effectively approach the problem solving aspect. By laying out a path for the desired outcome we can more efficiently apply our creativity to the function of the design. The alternative often results in approaching a project the wrong way and devoting extra time to a solution that does not truly work.

4. Describe your biggest weakness as a designer.

I think that my biggest weakness is rooted in one of my strengths. I often have problems coming to a final decision on the revisions of a design. I spend a lot of time exploring different solutions so it can be brain-wracking for myself at least. I think if I take more time in the planning phase I can ferret out some of these creative ideas that may be best served on another project. Ultimately it is necessary that none of my weaknesses (because we all have them) will impact my clients or their image in a negative way. And I and doing  good at that thus far.

5. How would you respond if a client wanted to edit your work?

It is important in the designer-client relationship to invoke trust on both sides. My purpose is to reach the clients goal and to communicate the intended message. Having been selected for this task, I would need to stress the fact that I am the one that is trained on accomplishing the goal. While a client's input is encouraged, and necessary given the investment the client has in the project's success , I would urge them to trust the design process. My artistic pride should not be a factor, but my desire to provide the best solution should be heard. 

6. Give an example of a time you’ve gotten feedback you didn’t agree.

Having recently finished college, I am very accustomed to critique. I understand the need for feedback and embrace the process. I can recall a time recently where the critique did not line up with my intended vision. In this particular case I was the designer and client, being a self promotional piece. I accepted the feedback and applied it to my thinking process, but not the end result of the particular design. As a designer and artist, it becomes important at times to defend and express your vision so that others will understand it. 

7. How would you feel about working on a project that was against your personal moral beliefs (such as work for a tobacco company)?

The key to overcoming this situation is understanding the customer relationship. While in practice the customer may not always be right, we as designers are still in a service position. I had the benefit of being prepared for such a situation. The logo design for the fictional "Church of Lucifer" was the epitome of being contrary to my moral beliefs. The end result was a set of functional and creative designs that would have effectively meet the clients needs, had the client existed. With such an extreme example, I might forgo including the design in my portfolio.

* Overtime * What piece are you the most proud of that you designed?

This is a hard question to answer. Since I make every effort to ensure that every single project gets my full creative potential it is hard to single out one piece. If I had to choose one I would say the creative design Phantom's Beauty". This is not because of the piece itself but because of the accomplishment of it. It was created as an entry to a Photoshop contest at istockphoto. It placed third in a pool of about 150 entries. Although I did not emerge as the overall winner I am still proud of that placement.

See more of DuJuan's work at www.dujuansylvester.com

Back to the Steel Cage

I am finally back in the flow… My baby girl Angelyn gave me the idea for Belle :)

 

View the battle here

My Surreal Life

Another image for the Steel Cage.
Trying to keep my creativity going.

Steel Cage Battle

I have been out of the loop for a bit but wanted to get the creative juices flowing again. This one ..well.. not really sure what I was going for besides different. And I do believe I accomplished that.

See the full battle here

Dabbling in the Occult??

Recently I was tasked at finding the most personally offensive client to create for, a(fictitious) satanic church. Though this client is fake, the real thing exists in society and on the web. The purpose was to set aside personal beliefs and come up with a marketable logo.

From Pixels to Print

There are many factors that need to be considered when creating a design.  Those factors increase when your content will be viewed on different types of media. As graphic designers, it becomes important to have a process in place to ensure your finished product will be clearly viewable in any situation. Current technology plays a big part in how users will view a design. Care must be taken to examine how emerging technologies will affect your designs usability and functionality. This article will outline some key points to consider when starting your next project.

Which is mightier, Pencil or Pixel?

Recently I completed a figure drawing class. Here are some of my closing thoughts on the experience..

My experience in the figure drawing class was definitely a beneficial one. In my role as a graphic designer I often come across situations where I will be called on to manipulate a photo or create a likeness of a person digitally. I may not use the actual drawing skills learned from my experience as much as the understanding of proportions and anatomy. Learning how the figure reacts in different positions and poses has helped me develop a greater appreciation to perspective and anatomy. Principles such as foreshortening and accurate perspective become as important in the digital realm as they are in traditional drawing.

As a drawer, I have made great progress. I did not consider myself a traditional artist before entering this class, but I have made substantial gains in this area. Crude figure drawings such as I made in the beginning stages show exactly how much progress I have made when compared with works created only a few weeks later.

Week 1	Week 3

Understanding not only the anatomy, but how our anatomy shapes the light that is reflected off of it is a huge advancement. Seeing the limbs as shapes with various shapes on them allows us to see how light reacts to them. This has allowed me to go from drawing the body as a series of connected lines, to drawing as a combination of interacting shapes. I look forward to the drawing experience as a hobby and believe it will further my skills as a digital artist.

No one man should have all that Power!

This years annual Battle Royale is off to a whopping start. And I am still in it!!

Just keep blogging...

I am working on publishing several articles and posts that are not quite finished yet.

Ine the meantime I would like to encourage you to visit some of my favorite and popular articles.

Also, don't forget to visit the free download section of my site.

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Prehistoric treasures
Examining the Caves of Lascaux.

Color, in the Eye of the Beholder

Graphic Design Projects

Graphic Design Battle - iStock Steel Cage

My general outlet for self expression is found at a little site called iStock. Designers accross the globe display their skills and creativity in a virtual Photoshop Cage match.

Here are the images from my latest battle

Sanctuary

Anaklusmos vs Leviathan

Dances with Birds

At Worlds End

We are at peace...Always

Homage to a Master - Ikko Tanaka

Ikko Tanaka is a well known graphic designer who is noted for his incorporation of Japanese tradition and International style. His work often crosses language and cultural barriers. The work I have selected to anaylze is a poster that utilizes simple geometric shapes found in every culture to form a figure that is rooted in his own culture.The color scheme chosen is found in traditional Japanese artwork.The formation of the shapes around the eyeas create a reference to the stereotypical slant that is present in the eyes of Asian people. Everything that the image itself represents seems to come from the designer's own culture.

Homage to a Master: Henryk Tomaszewski

Henryk Tomaszewski is widely considered as a modern master of graphic design. Creating posters that have thrilled and intrigued viewers for over 50 years, his work stands as an icon in creative expression.

Being of Polish descent, his portfolio embodies what  we have come to associate with European design and culture.

Michelangelo's David - A Study of Form and Function

As we learn from observation and in practice in our own art, all of our works will hold a function or purpose. Many times this purposes comes in the form of a message. In contemporary graphic design, the message that accompanies the artwork is the key and must outweigh any visual stimulation or enjoyment.

iStock steel cage competition

I am currently engaged in an online photomanipulation contest at iStockphoto.com. This is my 1st of 5 images for the battle.

Guided Tour of Paleolithic and Neolithic Art

Guided Tour of Paleolithic and Neolithic Art

- Periodically I will be creating guided tours each week from various eras of art. Here is the first.- The tour we will be undertaking will take us into different phases of prehistoric man and his settlements across the globe. The journey will span thousands of years and 5 continents, following man’s movement and progress.

Painted Rock Design - Portfolio Website

After reconsidering the brand "nuSun" I have come to redfine and redesign my image.
The new portfolio site is now online and features my collective works along with a section to display my free desktop wallpapers.

Visit PaintedRock Design

Perfectly Flawed

Conceptual poster:
“A designer knows he has achieved perfection, not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.”

Head in the Clouds?

Abstract design created for Digital Image Manipulation course at AIO.

Photoshop Tutorial - Cross Processing Effect

This tutorial will show you steps for replicating the popular cross processing effect in your own photos.

Prehistoric treasures – Examining the Caves of Lascaux.

Looking for an art exhibit slightly different from the Lourve? Within prehistoric caves in the city of Lascaux, France lies a resource of close to 2,000 works of art. The paintings consisting largely of images of animals rivals the collection at the Lourve, and with its canvas of stone wall, surpasses it in endurance. Some of the paintings are estimated to be 16,000 years old. With the artistry that is present and knowing so little of what we know about prehistoric man, one ponders what the purpose and meaning of the paintings could be. In searching for the meaning of the paintings found in the Caves of Lascaux, there are some key points to consider.