Kamēr vēl gaidām atbildes no latviešu dizaineriem (ļoooti garā vasara : ), tikmēr iztaujājām tuvos kaimiņus. Šoreiz grafiskais dizaineris un ilustrators Denis Kuchta no Lietuvas.

1. Who are you (tell about yourself, how did you start, did you study, what drives you)?
My name is Denis Kuchta, nickname Nemo. I am 24 years old.
I’ve been drawing since kindergarten. Drawing planes, characters, comics, and graffiti has been my hobby for a long time. I do that for most of my day, either at work or at home, or both. The turning point occurred during my teenage years when I started taking an interest in design and illustration. It fascinated and magnetized me; I was getting drawn into it deeper and deeper. Recently, at my parents’ house I found a notebook with my early drawings. One of the drawings that took my attention was of four planes drawn from profile side-views, and colored in with various graphics. So I realized that in my early years I was doing the same thing I am doing right now. Only the hobby grew into something bigger and greater, into a higher level, into work, into a passion.
During my teenage years, I was mainly influenced by friends. I had a group of friends who had the same hobby as me. For that reason, we shared our thoughts and drawings. In the back of my mind, I remember Maksim Stech the most. I am mentioning his name because maybe someone knows where he is, and would contact me. Maksim Stech is one of the most talented people that I have had the chance to meet, and he had a huge influence on me and my works. Later, his drawings grew out into music. To the best of my knowledge he is a DJ, and has been playing in London for more than five years.
In my opinion, design and music differ in the sense that it depends which body part you choose to create with— ears or eyes.
So, to conclude — I am a Vilnius Pedagogical University graduate with a degree in Art Technology who does not like to teach. I have worked for few advertising agencies. Currently, I work for a private design firm.

2. What’s good design and what’s bad design?
Good design is made by good designers, and vice versa.

3. Is there something special about Lithuanian design?
Certainly. Young, talented illustrators, designers, animators are coming into the market. They actively participate in various contests, workshops, and have brave new ideas to offer for the Lithuanian and foreign stage. Unfortunately, many of them are studying abroad in other countries, and only a few of them come back home afterwards. Many of them are forced to study abroad because of the competition, and because Lithuania is not ready to provide them with an education they want. Besides, they have better opportunities and strong potential to build a career overseas. In Lithuania there is scarce demand for good quality design.

4. What you do when you are not making visual stuff? (not working, so to say)
I am doing what others do plus rollerblading. This is my other passion in life. By the way, we often travel to Latvia to rollerblade and to get a taste of Aldaris beer. In Jurmala, there is a street and a whole skate park named Nemo. I wonder if this due to my fame or if it is an coincidence :)

5. How is it to be a designer in Lithuania?
I think it’s the same as being a designer in Latvia. Going to work in the morning, interacting with people, drinking Lithuanian beer.
 In reality there are few options for designers working in Lithuania: to work in advertising, to set up a company of designers or to be a freelancer.

6. What do you do when you’re stuck? (if you ever are : )
If I’m stuck I pick up another project — no matter whether it is commercial or not. I have a file of my works that keeps me busy. This file includes illustrations, lettering, and uncompleted ideas. I draw what I want at the time, or just drop everything and rollerblade with my friends. So I never feel a crisis of creativity.

7. 3 things that you really like and would recommend to others.
To work for money, so you won’t get hungry.
To work with musicians, because you get invitations to their parties.
To dust your monitor, so you can see the colors better.

8. How to become a good designer?
Do not underestimate yourself, work hard, and enjoy what you are doing.

9. What’s important in the design process? What’s important in general?
The most important thing is to enjoy your work. Doesn’t matter what it is – music or sport, commercial or non-commercial, business card or a label, you have to make it like you would for yourself, to give yourself 100%, to feel confident about it. Everything will work out if you have a desire and passion for it. I think the most important aspect of work is enjoyment. This is a life engine that helps to achieve great results.

10. Where is the world going? And what are your plans?
The world keeps spinning around.
Currently I do not have big future plans, just for the next week. Certainly, I will try my best to improve, grow, and develop my skills and abilities. I think it’s really important to be proactive, to participate in various workshops and art shows. And I will continue doing it, and enjoy it as much as I can! I am a big optimist and a mule. Time will show what is waiting for me in the future.

Tagi: Denis Kuchta, design, grafiskais dizains, grafiskais dizains Lietuvā, graphic design, Lietuva, Lithuania, Lithuanian graphic designer and illustrator, rollerblade

Šis raksts ievietots Trešdiena, jūlijs 22nd, 2009 14:00 kategorijā 10+10, grafiskais dizains, intervija, ārzemes. Jūs variet sekot šī raksta diskusijām RSS 2.0 barotnē. Jūs variet rakstīt komentāru vai atpakaļsekot no savas mājas lapas.