Bio: I am a graphic designer and I love to create thought provoking art-led design. Whilst I subscribe to the minimal school of design, as many designers do, I feel design which does not simply comform rigidly to the grid system is design which can cross over into art. I am passionate about the idea of typography becoming part of the art, not merely a device for communicating information. -M.H.
1asked by william secombe
Who are you most inspired by?
My own mood and music.
When I create I create very much from my heart. How I am feeling emotionally contributes to the way a piece of graphic art/design might go - I will interpret the brief differently depending on my mood.
2
What do you want to most convey in your work?
I dislike merely superficial work so in my own work I want to convey emotion most of all. I want provoke and question and I want the viewer to look and interpret each piece in their own way.
3
When did you first realize you are an artist?
I have been fascinated with the creation of art, in many forms, since I was a child. I was quickly tagged as “creative” at school as it became increasingly clear I conveyed my emotions via drawing and painting as opposed to vocally.
4
Why do you choose the subject matter you work with?
I am approached by my clients and usually simple given a title (since I create album cover art this is most appropriate). I am then left to breathe life into that title. To make it mean something.
5
Where do you go when your well of inspiration is running low?
To my computer, into iTunes and blast some music. Music never fails to help me when I need inspiration - it evokes emotions which is what I need to inspire me.
6asked by michael anthony lynch
What is your greatest artistic weakness?
Putting too much of myself into each piece which means if the client isn’t keen on the ideas I feel wounded in some ways. I find it difficult with very creative pieces to detach myself from them. I need to remember it’s not for me!
7
How would your life change if you were no longer allowed to create art?
I would become a raging lunatic! If I can’t create I can’t express myself. It’s that simple. Creating is a way for me to quietly interpret the world around me - without being able to create I think I wouldn’t be able to make sense of anything around me. It would just become of a cacaphony of chaos for me.
8asked by dayvin hallman
What situations in life have left their deepest impressions on you?
The worst ones - death, heartache, depression. It’s the negative life experiences that leave their mark the most, but conversely the ones which make me most creative.
9asked by kathy berg
What/who gave you the extra push to “go public” with your work?
As a designer my work is for public consumption pretty much entirely. But when you’ve really put your heart into something, having it exposed to public critique can be very difficult, especially if they don’t understand it.
10asked by alex sheehan
Do you make a choice and then justify it? Or do you visualize something and then create it?
I always visualise then create. It takes more work than simple post-rationalisation but it makes everything I do more authentic.
11asked by jason borbay
What is the biggest obstacle standing between you and your success as an artist?
Being misunderstood. Cliched but true. As a graphic designer who doesn’t entirely work within a grid system, or always make everything clean and minimal, I often find myself considered too maverick to be a commercial success. Other people’s misconceptions of my work is often a hindrance.
12asked by david geisler
How do you know when you are finished with a work?
When the deadline is up! Truly, I’m never done with any piece work and will keep at it until someone stops me.
13
What new artists or works excite you?
Anyone who rebels against rules within their artistic field. I appreciate people who take chances.
14asked by 716
Who do you think you are?
I think I’m a woman with a cool, level head but in reality I am deeply emotional and affected by everything around me.
15
If you could ask another artist anything, what would it be?
I’d like to ask Hieronymus Bosch if what he painted is what he dreamed about and if it frightened him.
