Remeber, the full articles can be seen in the interviews section.

The Question:

“What advice would you give to would be artists/designers?”

“Make the most of your time at art school and take all possibilties you can take to spend some of it abroad (if possible). I often feel I didn’t make the most of my time studying”

- Mattias Adolfsson

“Don’t ever compromise your vision.”

- Yeva Babayan

“Keep your mind creative, love and take an interest in all around you.”

- Tung Le

“Make sure you believe strongly in your own work and do just what the worlds greatest living artist told me to do… “Trust yourself”.”

- Guy Sargent

“Let it become your life, be passionate, work harder than the next guy. Oh and use the Internet, it has become a second university for me, get involved with forums, visit ted.com, write your own blog, you will learn a lot, all for free.”

- Jase Cooper

“Do something else…” (very funny guys!)

- Space Invaders Design Group

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“Don’t be afraid of anything. More impudence and freedom in creation. The more you’ll try the better the result is.”

- Alexander Ovchinnikov

“be original and believe in yourself”.

- Abhijeet Kuma

“Reach beyond your grasp.”

- Matt Huynh

“Remember to embrace your personal experiences and your own unique and fresh design vision”

- Yoann Henry Yvon

“In the words of German techno group Scooter: It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.”

- Cecilia Levy

“If you have an ace up your sleeve, just don’t keep it long. If you keep it for too long, it’ll go rotten. Just show everything you have to people, listen to what they say. You’ll be able to create something much better, to learn how to show your ideas to people, and to make your community.”

- Mac Funamizu

“Get out there and get your work seen by as many people as possible. You should never be afraid to show people your work. You maybe the best designer/illustrator in the world, but if no one sees your work, you won’t get commissioned”

- Rod Hunt

“It depends on what you want your career to be and what kind of person you are. If you wanna work at Disney you must bend your mind to the “Disney way of life”, I suppose. From my point of view I’d suggest: do your best to develop YOUR art and style. Nowadays it’s very difficult to be completely original but strive to put your mark in your work. Client work tend to leave you with little or no time, but try to keep some to do new experiments with your art.”

- Leonardo Sala

“..believe in the work you do, and make the best they can in everything you do. That’s the best attitude to have in relation with all areas.”

- Luis Porem

“Get inspired. Have fun. Keep it current. Get a Mac. Go probono. I can’t preach this any louder. Young designers get so mad when you tell them you gotta start doing some freebies. Do it because you love it. They all think their work is worth so much money already haha. I started emailing people if I could do a site for them for free. I just loved designing and growing my skills. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to be a good designer. Also have lots of resources. I had a teacher (who was once the creative director for MTV) tell me that you are only as good as your resources. Pretty much sums that up.”

- Dann Petty

“I started my own firm at a very young age. sometimes I wish I had worked for some of the architects that I admire prior to going out on my own.”

- Jeff Kovel

When I wrote the original Cullen House article I never imagined it would gain the popularity it did. As promised, I have been in contact with Jeff Kovel from Skylab Architecture and have prepared the following interview/bio along with a few more images for all the mad fans!

“I am in architecture, development, and rock and roll.”

- Jeff Kovel

Jeff Kovel grew up just outside of New York City and lived there until he attended Cornell University’s Architecture school. Since then he has made his way to the West Coast and in 1996 he finally settled down in Portland, Oregon. However, it was while growing up in New York that Jeff realised he wished to become an architect. His family had begun work on a new home and a young Jeff thus developed a new fascination for both building and design.

It was three years after arriving in Portland when 26 year old Jeff founded his own architecture firm, Skylab architecture. He admits that he started his practice at a very young age and wishes that he’d worked under other architects beforehand. Nevertheless, Skylab Architecture has grown into a fully fledged successful firm. When asked what the most rewarding aspect of practicing architecture is, Kovel explains “We [architects] have carved out a niche that allows us to explore and innovate. The most rewarding part of this career is the work which we are able to create with this open format.”
Kovel likens his own design philosophies to storytelling. “We bring concepts to life, each of these concepts is a story,” he says. “The paragraphs are like spaces, the words, materials. Each project is a unique deep investigation into this story telling…

Our process is research based, and iterative. We look for authentic meaning and relationships. We do not rush aesthetic conclusions.”
Kovel explains that his inspiration comes from many different architectural sources. “I love many progressive architects from all eras of modernism, I appreciate the periods prior as well. There isn’t a subject I would rather talk about.”
As I’m sure many of you can relate, Jeff Kovel and Skylab architecture became known to me through the film Twilight; what many of us have come to know as the Cullen residence is actually the ‘Hoke Residence’, so I asked Jeff about how the house came to be.

“The Hoke residence was originally built as a ‘spec’ house [This simply means it was built, with the speculation of finding a suitable buyer], or a project built without a client as a development for sale.
After two days on the market, the house was purchased by the director of footwear design at Nike, John Hoke. Following a cover story in a northwest architecture publication, The Hoke’s were approached by a film location scout, a little film called Twilight.”

“We designed the house in 2006, completed construction in 2007. We have designed an additional residence next door that will begin construction once we locate another vampire”
“This December, we took our staff to see the movie to start our holiday party. We all loved it. We have been receiving fan mail from all over the world, including many inquiries for the house plans – contacts from Croatia, The Philippines, Buenos Aires, and Melbourne Australia among others.”

There is more to Skylab architecture beyond the Hoke House – amoungst Skylab’s impressive folio is also the following..

Montgomery residence

Nau Webfront

‘North’

12 + Alder

More images on these projects and more can be found at Skylab Architecture’s website.

Check out some of his impressive work and the interview with the man himself here!

Tell us a little about yourself, where are you from and where are you living now?

I’m a 25 yr old dude from a small town in Tennessee called Tullahoma. It’s tiny. Have you ever heard of Jack Daniels Whiskey which is made in Lynchburg, TN? Yea I went to school right beside it. I practiced baseball in cow patties while enhaling the somewhat nasty smell of a mixture between the cows and JD’s distillery or whatever that was. I was an hardcore athelete. I played every sport available baseball, football, basketball, track, golf, hockey you name it. Baseball was my passion though. I always thought I was going to be a professional pitcher so I never really thought about my career as anything else. I even played in the junior olympics.

I went to a design school in Franklin,TN called O’more College of Design which is right outside of Nashville. Google it. A lot of designers don’t go through school these days but I have to say it really helped out. It helped me see how how other students are thinking. How to give presentations and stuff. I wouldn’t say you learn design at those schools though. I think that just comes all natural. Also I was lucky to get a sweet internship at Anode in downtown Nashville through that school. They really pushed my skill sets. I did so much flash work and design work it was crazy. So far my favorite art director was from Anode, Adam Goleniewski.

I’m now living in San Francisco, CA. Talk about a transition right. Growing up in the south is totally different than here. I love it though. It has been nothing but a rad adventure. I always knew I’d move out to California. It just felt right for me. I’m a very driven person. I’m always looking for that next big thing. I fell like I’m working on 100 start-ups of my own right now. I need programmers! If your a programmer let me put you to work haha.

Tell us a little about your work, what do you do? Who have you worked for?

I’m currently doing advertising. So like micro sites and rich media banners, that type of thing. If you want to push your creativity get into advertising. I worked at a e-commerce shop which brought me to SF. It was great that’s where I landed all The North Face and Reebok stuff. But if you look at it there is really not much thought that goes into that kind of design creatively. It’s mainly about structure and easy user experience. There’s no concept behind those sites except for making them look good. One exception is the RBK Maeda stuff I made. I was redesigning the site for that company I was working for an learned a lot about it by doing that. When my boss told me we are not a creative shop but a smart technology shop so we shouldn’t have a cool site I knew I was in the wrong place. I was already getting offers to other places and then my friend offered me one in Sausalito,CA called Butler Shine Stern and Partners and I knew it was time to get started doing some creative thinking. So that’s where I am now. It’s an awesome set up. I really owe a lot to Fluid though for bringing me to the Bay Area. The work they do at Fluid is really smart and incredible. I just needed to be more creative since I’m just beginning my career.

Clients I’ve worked for:

Adobe, Mini Cooper, The North Face, Oakley, Reebok, Epson, Priceline, Lucas Arts, EA Sports, Farmers, Dockers, Columbia Sportswear, Bridgestone Firestone, Red Bull, MTV (damn! Impressive!)

What has been your most interesting/favorite client to work for, why?

Whoa, that’s a tough one. I’d say Adobe. Ya know, because it’s Adobe. We just won their business so I’m really just getting started on the work, but still. It’s Adobe. Think about what we’d be doing right now if it wasn’t for them, wait, probably out shredin some nature haha. NEVERMIND.

Other than that I’d say Lucas Arts. I mean, getting to be around everything that made Star Wars is just wicked ridiculous. I did some really cool advertising for the game they launched a few months ago called Fracture. Nailed it.

(see below!)

What are you working on at the moment?

Just got finsihed working on a pitch for EA Sports. I’m currently tweaking a prototype of my first (out of hundreds) start-ups Im actually going along with. Programmers and investors call me! I’ve got atleast 20 sites ready! Seriously though, I’m constantly designing websites and products that I want to start but unfortunately I have no money for development and don’t know too many willing programmers. At least they look good though right? I’ve always been trying to start something though. I remember when I was younger I was a businessman. I did the lemonade stand, lawn mowing business, car detailing business, I use to show cars, I tried to start a magazine, started a hockey league and just so much more. There was just so much I wanted to do. Actually I really just want to go to sleep.

What are your other interests besides graphic design?

Surfing, snowboarding, cars, golf. Anything rad that gets me away from design. I’m kidding I love designing. I can’t stop. I really wish I could get outdoors more. I live so close to Tahoe and can’t ever get out there. Anyone want to give me a ride? Also I’m surrounded by water and never do I get wet. I’m an entrepuneur at heart. I get that from my Dad. What else, riding my bike. You might find me on the golf course. You know but really I don’t feel like I ever stop designing. The work really never quits but it’s fun. There is nothing better than be creative all day. It’s like being back in school when I was drawing instead of paying attention in class.

What does your typical day involve?

It’s madness. Man I wish I had a typical day haha. Well lately this has been my rutuine. Go to bed about 2am. Wake up at 7am. Take a cold shower (we never know when we get hot water) hop on the bicycle and head across the Golden Gate Bridge. Work about 9-7. Get home about 830ish, eat some Whole Foods, watch some Hulu, design, play some Urban Terror, design, iTunes, then around 2am I’m back in bed. That’s been my routine lately since I’m only getting to see my amazing girlfriend on the weekends. Which is a bummer. My day pretty much revolves around the computer. Phew, if I had a PC I’d go nuts.

Any advice to up coming artists and designers?

Get inspired. Have fun. Keep it current. Get a Mac. Go probono. I can’t preach this any louder. Young designers get so mad when you tell them you gotta start doing some freebies. Do it because you love it. They all think their work is worth so much money already haha. I started emailing people if I could do a site for them for free. I just loved designing and growing my skills. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to be a good designer. Also have lots of resources. I had a teacher (who was once the creative director for MTV) tell me that you are only as good as your resources. Pretty much sums that up.

What is your site or blog URL?

My site is dannpetty.com. It hasn’t really been updated since I graduated college. It was made for a senior project which really just means I did it last minute just for the grade. I’ve been working on a new one since I moved to SF but it involves a lot of After Effects on Actionscript which is a big learning curve for me so it’s taking longer. It’s coming. I might have a easy version up by the time you read this. For some more frequently updated work just check out my behance page

A huge thanks to Dann! It’s really great of you to share some of your unique talent and experience!

All the best for the future!

In particular Porem’s newest addition to his already impressive folio, the Trico Chair

Wood, metal and textile, in three different colours, are the caracteristic that lift the Trico Chair. Joining the three materials it is possible to get a distinguishable simplicity and harmony.
The fact of being able of pile the chair and work with different materials make the Trico chair a functional, versatile object, with is own character.

DT: Tell us a little about yourself, where are you from and where are you living now?

LP: I’ve born in Lisbon and raised in a valley called Alenquer. After finishing the University, were I’ve study industrial and interior design, I’ve moved to Barcelona, were I’ve started working in Estudio Mariscal for an year and a half. After that I’ve started making my own projects. I’ve collaborated also for a project with Martin Ruiz de Azúa.

DT: What other designers influence you? Do you have an idol?

LP: There’s a lot of designers that I admire like Achille Castiglioni, Enzo Mari, Charles and Ray Eames, Bouroullec brothers, Konstantin Grcic, Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby, Javier Mariscal, and many others. Idols I don’t have none. I try to learn from everything, search design not only in other’s works.

DT: Are you professionally trained or were you self taught?

LP: I’ve study at the Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias, in the course of Industrial and Interior design.

DT: What are you working on at the moment?

LP: At this moment I’m more in a period of research for new projects I want to do. It’s an important moment because I like to be convinced of what I’m doing. I try to justify everything I do to myself.

DT: What are your other interests beside design?

LP: I like a lot of cinema and music. Also doing other projects more related to art. More conceptual, explore the creativity in other ways.

DT: What is your favourite design to date?

LP: Theres a couple of objects that I like a lot. One is the Panton Chair of Verner Panton, or the Plastic Side Chair DSW from Charles & Ray Eames, the Mayday and the Chair One from Konstantin Grcic…well, the list is large.

DT: What’s the best and worst parts of being a full time, working designer?

LP: The best thing of being a designer is to be able to create and explore your creativity. Design objects that can improve the life of the users.

The worst thing is the difficult that exist on giving life to the creation.

DT: Any advice to up and coming artists/designers?

LP: To believe in the work they do, and make the best they can in everything they do. That’s the best attitude to have in relation with all areas.

http://www.luisporem.com/

http://blog.luisporem.com/

I first saw Bonnie’s work on display at this year’s Design Market in Melbourne -

Bonnie is a creative entrepreneur and has already founded her own design brand and name, ‘this is‘ at only 22 and 1 year out of uni!

Check out some of Bonnie’s amazing products and designs and help support this aspiring young designer (all of Bonnie’s products are available to buy) along with an accompanying interview with the designer herself!

Tell us a little about yourself, where are you from and where are you living now?
Born in Hong Kong in 1986. I moved to Australia for education in 2001. During my Bachelor of Design (Industrial Design) in 2006 I spent a year aboard at Hochschule Techknic fur Wirtscharft in Dresden, Germany where I further develop my passion and found my purpose for design. In 2007 I graduated as an industrial designer from Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University. On the same year in 2007, I established the brand, ‘This is‘ after designing a homeware product, This is a Trivet. A product that is about re-purposing waste. I first showcased ‘This is a Trivet’ at the Melbourne Design market during the Melbourne Design Festival in 2007. After the success I have also exhibited at the Salone Satellite, Milan International Furniture Fair in 2008. Sine then I’ve continued to further my practices to in design and continued develop ‘This is’ in Melbourne.

What people (designers or otherwise), places or things inspire you, and how?
I am a fan of Japanese animation. Currently I’m watching Naruto Shippuden and Bleach. Both animations have been showing for more then 200 episode. The story
doesn’t actually change much. It’s often repeating or playing around with similar tactics in different. I like watching them because they are basically talking about
different situation in life through these ninja or death god characters. They all seems to have these immense energy that keeps them going. Their characteristic and
attitude inspire to keep doing what I am passion of.

What are you working on at the moment?
After the two launches for This is Accessories Collection at the Melbourne Design Market and Young Blood Designers Market in Sydney. I’ve been invited to participate
in some other design markets and trade fair next year. So now I’m preparing for these events next year before I start working on some new projects I have in mind.

So what exactly is ‘This is’?
This is™, is about staying true to what it is. This is™, is design company that is about conveying a straight forward idea of the product. The brand name forms a part of
each of the product names giving them a unique and honest identity. This is™, hopes to use the brand and concept to provoke people to pay attention to the value and
meaning of what they buy.

Tells us about your ‘This is a trivet’ for example, what is it? What’s the inspiration behind it?
“This is a Trivet” is designed to hold hot plates and pots to protect your table top. It is based on a project that is about re-thinking, re-using and re-purposing excess
materials into something new. “This is a Trivet” has been transformed from the excess solid surface material such as Corian from bench tops and sink rims. The
concept of “This is a Trivet” was naturally inspired by the flexibility of the unique material. It is a simple free flowing form with functionality incorporated in it. It is heat
resistant to 240 ~ 260 degree Celsius. Two trivets can be interlock together increase the size for larger plate.

What are your other interests beside design?
Traveling, cooking, food tasting, music and international movies.

What’s the best and worst parts of being a full time, working designer?
The best part of being a self employ designer is that I am working on my dream everyday. I enjoy the process of developing myself and my works everyday.
The worst and the best part of being a self employ designer is that you need have a clear vision of your goal/ dream. You need a certain level of passion and
commitment to keep motivating yourself everyday and not give up your dream.

Any advice to up and coming designers?
The more you understand yourself, it’s more likely that you will live in your dream.

Very Profound Bonnie! Like it.

www.thisis.com.au

http://www.ponoko.com/showroom/ThisisOnlineShop