There's too much depressing posts on my blog! sorry you had read about me whining. I swear I'll post some happier thoughts!
The New Fwd
I didnt notice they wrote about me till months later XD, nonetheless it's super exciting to be featured!
http://www.thenewfwd.com/fwd-arts/blending-digital-art-and-photography
Shadowness Daily features and inspirations
There's soooo many talented people in this community! It's a real honour they would find my stuff inspiring.
http://shadowness.com/dailyinspiration/forum/daily-inspiration-970
http://shadowness.com/dailyinspiration/forum/daily-inspiration-965
http://shadowness.com/dailyinspiration/forum/daily-inspiration-1128
http://shadowness.com/dailyinspiration/forum/daily-inspiration-1131
http://shadowness.com/SurrealMinds/forum/surrealism-in-shadowness-12
Black Market
Black market is an art/fashion/music platform, they host events every 2months. My works are on display there!
https://www.facebook.com/blacksheepbaaa
WWU Photography
Mini shoutout to my Double Exposure works!
http://wwuphoto.wordpress.com/2014/03/11/rachel-mantiri-double-exposures/
Homeless Longitude
A local zine that I always come across in Bali! It was the first time I've ever submitted my works to be printed. Self-esteem is a pain to manage, But I still remember how the owners told me not to be shy about my work. :)
http://homelesslongitude.com/?p=1074
FAUVE Magazine
This is possibly the most in-depth interview I've ever done... huge thanks to Jul for featuring & making me stay up many nights writing this! lol. But really, I cant do interviews, or anything that requires me to talk about myself with so much detail... excuse me while I retreat into my cave away from the sunlight.
http://issuu.com/fauvemagazine/docs/fauve21online
full interview can be read under the cut :3
MOODSCAPE - Graphic Designer & Digital imaging artist
Interview with FAUVE magazine
You & Your Career
Tell us about your graphic design career. How did you break into graphic design, and how did you advance to where you are today as the founder of Moodscape?
Haha its a long journey where do I start? It started from an internship programme in my college at Raffles Education in Singapore (formerly known as Raffles Design Institute). I applied to intern at CATALOG Magazine, and after the internship was over they offered me a position. Throughout the years working there, They’ve expanded from an indie-street magazine into a full functioning design agency.
Although I’ve learnt tremendously from my time there, I felt I lacked a lot of skills that couldnt be thought from a full time position. I took a break, picked up photography moved to Bali. Where I got married and had kids. Ironically having children pushed me into pursuing a freelance role, where I balance between 2 career paths: One as a freelance graphic designer producing branding/layout/print work for my clients, and the other as my alter-ego ‘Moodscape’ where i’d create personal photography/illustration/photomanipulation artworks.
What led you into taking on multiple design career paths?
I’m in the middle of a transition per se. When I first started freelancing I would do just about anything and everything design-related. Trying out all and slowly eliminating the fields I was weak in, building up the fields i excel in, and keeping the ones that pay the bills!
So now it boils down two distinct paths, one feeds my belly and the other feeds my soul. But even then i’m still transitioning.
What do you enjoy most about your career?
The process of creating something, seeing the finished work out in the streets and getting paid for it!
How important is such recognition to you, personally and to your career?
The passion comes first, recognition is more of a byproduct.
But considering that most of my clients find me via word-of-mouth. I suppose a little recognition does help keep the jobs rolling.
What has been your personal key to success?
Well success has always been a journey rather than a destination. So as long as I keep going without giving up. Then I’m already holding my personal key to success.
Who were the biggest inspirations for your career?
My family and my kids! I wouldn't be standing here without them!
What are some favorite projects you’ve completed and why?
There’s a special place in my heart for all the photomanipulation artworks I create. Because ideally, I would want to cut down on other design tasks and pursue photomanipulation solely.
What are some of your personal and/or professional goals for the future?
See the previous question, I’ve got plenty of ideas and projects in mind. My goal now is to be able to fund them.
Education Information & Advice
Tell us about your graphic design education. How did you decide to study graphic design?
Since I was a kid I knew I wanted to pursue my creativity, the interesting thing about the design industry is that its very wide and there’s plenty of different paths to pursue. Design school gives a sneak peak to every field.
What can students applying to graphic design schools do to increase their chances of being accepted?
Well the misconception about design is that you need to know how to draw and be talented etc etc... thats not really the case. Technical skill can be taught. Its all about the creativity, that X-factor, something that screams “you”
The Actual Work
What exactly do you do? What are your key responsibilities?
Commercially I design mostly print-based work such as magazines, lookbooks, brochures, namecards etc... I sometimes tap into webdesign, but rarely. My passion is still in print.
For my fashion clients, I also take on photography and retouching jobs. As of lately I’ve been exploring textile prints.
Personally, I love to do photomanipulation artworks, some of these artworks are also on sale.
Describe a typical day of work for you.
As a freelancer there’s no such thing as a typical day! Thats what makes it all the more fun. I could be up glued to my computer for hours, or i could be moving from one location to the next to meet clients, or i could be sipping on my tea watching dvd’s all day.
What are the tools of the trade that you use the most?
Adobe softwares (Photoshop, Indesign & Illustrator) + Macbook Pro + Wacom tablet + Canon 7d
What are some common myths about your profession?
“Oh what fun it must be doing such an easy job.” Designers make a living out of this & Its not some kinda fun side project.
We are as significantly important in managing your visual representation, as a dentist is important in managing your teeth!
What are the most challenging aspects of your job?
Sticking to my design vision, or at least implementing them with the client’s. Not everybody has the same taste and understanding, so every new client presents a new challenge to synchronize aesthetics.
What are the greatest stresses, what causes you the most anxiety?
When I’m not being a designer while working. Especially since being self-employed means handling other tasks such as: sales, marketing, management, PR.
Also when clients dont pay, pay late, negotiate ridiculously low, etc... Nobody wants to be cheated.
Job Information & Advice
What are the hottest specialties within the graphic design field over the next decade?
Ah who knows? I wouldn’t even know where I’m gonna live the next decade!
The rise of digital platforms has always appeared to threaten printed publication, but frankly I dont see print dying out anytime soon. What are we gonna do when our phone battery dies? ;)
Do you feel that is important for someone to be passionate about graphic design in order to be successful on both a personal and professional level?
Absolutely! Design isn't just business alone, It’s also an art. It takes a great deal of time and effort to produce work.
Money alone wont be able to keep the standard if a designer is worn down.
What other career advice can you offer graphic design school graduates?
Keep on learning!
As a designer, you can never know too much. And, if you have a wide range of knowledge, you’ll be surprised how many other awesome jobs you’ll have to choose from!
But also dont over do the “coffee + redbull + no sleep” routine. This is unhealthy and can seriosly kill you, life is not worth sacrificing over a design award or a deadline.
Take care!
moodscape.blogspot.com
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