Tuesday brings us another talented interviewee, this time with the ever popular MannyPDesign. So many designs of his designs reach print, so make sure you check out his store on redbubble.
Who is MannyPDesign?
MannyPDesign is me: a graphic designer/illustrator who resides in New Brunswick, a small east-coast province of Canada that shares a border with Maine. I’ve been working in the industry close to 20 years. I’m a movie fanatic, husband, father of two, and owner of a miniature dachshund who is a little touched in the head.
How did you get started in this t-shirt design game?
I’ve designed various shirts for myself and clients over the past 12 years or so in a casual capacity, but I didn’t really go all-in until the last couple of years when I was looking for a creative outlet that wasn’t undermined by silly clients.
What have been your favourite designs you’ve released? Which have been most successful?
My most favourite design? That’s a hard question to answer. Every design has an element that I love about it. I really like my Doc Brown Flux Capacitor design for the typographical aspect, but I think my favourite at the moment is Big Damn Heroes. Nope, scratch that — it’s my Ghostbusters tee “Marshmallow Terror.”
The most successful design would have to be the first Shirt-a-Day print I ever had: It was my Winchester Bros. Hell & Back World Tour shirt. It printed at Ript Apparel initially, and has been reprinted on many sites like The Yetee, TeeFury, OtherTees, and teeVillain. I’m honestly astonished at how many people have bought that shirt (and continue to do so).
What is your process? How do you go from thought to paper to computer to selling?
The process sometimes starts with an idea followed by a quick sketch, like a phrase from a show or movie, and sometimes it’s a visual or scenario that pops into my head. My design “Nice Thinking, Ray” came to me as I was waking up one morning. I banged around various ideas but it never really materialised fully (as Marshmallow Terror) until recently when I adapted it as a parody of a 60s horror comic cover. I try to sketch thumbnails to nail down the general layout, but there are times my mind’s eye has a strong sense of how it’s going to look that I jump straight onto the computer. On rare occasion I’ll whip out the pencils and inks and do most of the design by hand then scan it into the computer.
After that point I play around with the colours and find the right combination. Sometimes I’ll pass it around to my friends to get their opinion on it. It’s especially helpful if I’ve been staring at the screen too long. Sometimes you miss the most obvious things.
Is it hard to keep yourself fresh creating new designs?
Absolutely. As a designer it’s easy to get burnout; you need to step away from the desk and allow time for yourself to recharge. Ideas seem to come to me when I least expect it and while I’m doing something unrelated. It’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of tee design when you consider that there are hundreds of other designers all drawing water from the same well. It can be frustrating to come up with something fresh, original, clever or have a unique twist so I try to focus on topics that I’m most passionate about. I try not to be an ambulance chaser, but it’s hard… sometimes an idea fits so perfectly that you just can’t ignore it.
What have you got up your design sleeves? Anything new coming soon? Any sneak peeks?
I have a couple, but one that I’m really digging lately is an exploded view of an N64 controller. It’s all done by hand in the computer and is one of the most tedious designs I’ve done in a while. It’s the latest in a series of designs that are largely inspired by my love of tearing things apart to see how they work.
When I was a kid, I loved exploring the innards of controllers, cartridges and radios to see what made it tick. I didn’t understand any of it (still don’t, ha-ha) but seeing how all the parts interacted and worked together was attractive to me.
What artists/creatives inspire your work and designs?
Drew Struzan is one that’s been at the top since I was a kid. He’s amazing. I really dig Olly Moss; he’s an insanely clever artist who never ceases to amaze. I really dig Ken Taylor and Shepard Fairey as well. I have many more, but I have to say Laurent Durieux is also incredibly awesome.
Who are your top creatives to follow on twitter?
@actionfigured creates magic out of plastic blocks
@bamboota has an incredible style that I ABSOLUTELY love.
@fanboy30 is one of the most talented and supportive designers out there
@Khallion creates pretty and memorable work.
@mLARAart gushes pure talent
@synaptyx (aka Synaptees) has a style that I love, and has a wicked sense of humour. He also creates some pretty rad music.
There are many more, but I’d bore you with a list a mile long and I don’t want people to think I’m pandering.
What are your top 5 films/tv shows and video games?
Damn, that’s tough. For Films & TV: The original Star Wars Trilogy; anything featuring Simon Pegg & Nick Frost; Iron Man; Sons of Anarchy; Game of Thrones, Arrested Development… Games: Battlefield; Grand Theft Auto; and any of the Super Star Wars games for the SNES, the Lego line of games, and Red Dead Redemption.
I hate making lists, I always leave out something.
Sega or Nintendo? Once choice…
I used to be hardcore Sega back in the day (Master System FTW!), but now I gotta say Nintendo. They know what it’s all about and who the audience is and they aren’t pretentious about it. They make *fun* games without resorting to cheap thrills. My kids are constantly bugging me to battle them on MarioKart.
Facebook | @mannypdesign | Redbubble | Society6
Interview completed by @zombie_media.
The post Indie Minded Artist Interview MannyPDesign appeared first on Indie Minded.