Interview with UP06 (Jonesium Designs)

UP06 (Jonesium Designs) was picked as GFX Artist of the Month for September, check the interview I done with him below.

OPENING

Tell us a bit about yourself, your name, age, where you’re from, and anything else?
My name is Brandon and I from waterbury, CT. I go to UCONN for computer science and engineering and I graduate next year. My first year I was in Chemical Engineering but I switched out into that.

GRAPHICS

How long have you been designing? What first got you interested?
I have been designing since about the end of 2004 when I got my own laptop for christmas. What got me interested in the computer aspect was actually when my mom told me about Photoshop on one of the computers at her job in the office. But I have been into drawing since like 3rd grade.

What’s your inspiration?
My inspiration is everything I see on TV, billboards, movies, everywhere.

What software do you use to design?
I use right now all Adobe stuff; Photoshop, After Effects, Illustrator, Flash, and Dreamweaver. Also for adding soundtracks to some of the little clips I do, I use Ableton Live or Audition.

Say someone comes to you asking for a logo, what is the process you go through designing that logo? Like drafting it on paper, showing the client, drafting it on the computer…
Well first I ask a series of questions about their company, so I get feel for what they want to represent. Then I do very rough sketches on paper of any designs that come to mind. I translate it into Illustrator then show the client my various ideas. Basically from there they choose which one and we build from there. Always keeping good communication with the client. That is the most important part.

When did you decide you wanted to take your designing seriously?
Well probably right before the summer started this year is when I did take it seriously. Before that it was more for fun, now its like I should make money off of this. Also I was trying to build my skill level up to the point where I felt comfortable enough to take it to the next level.

What are you trying to do with your designing? What is your goal for your designs?
Right now I am freelancing under my company Jonesium Designs. My goal for the short term right now is to build a strong reputation and a solid client base.

Are you in a team of designers or do you just work alone?
I am working by myself. Although I have talked to one of my friends to see if he would like to join along. He goes to school for visual communications.

What are some accomplishments that you have achieved, and are most proud of?
Well first and foremost I am proud of myself for teaching myself all these “professional” programs without a teacher or college. Everything I have learned was from tutorials that I took the time out to go through. In the beginning it was a little difficult being a fulltime engineering student and working part time. But I did manage to find the time. Its not so hard now though. Another thing is the launching of my website www.jonesiumdesigns.com.

CRAZYPELLAS / INTERNET

Can you tell us how you found CrazyPellas? If you remember.
I think my friend Mike a.k.a. All About Money told me about it.

Has this forum helped you at all in your designing journey?
Yes I think so, it allowed me to showcase some of my work and getting feedback, whether positive or negative. And being able to interact with other people who share the same interest was beneficial.

What made you post your designs online?
Well I think the internet is the place where all graphic designers should post their work. Its really the most efficient way to get your work noticed around the world.

Do you feel like the internet is helping you as a designer?
Yeh, going back to my previous answer, the internet is the one place where everyone can take a look at your work at anytime. With my website up and running (thanks to CP for the web hosting), it has allowed a lot of people to notice Jonesium Designs.

IN CLOSING

Do you have any upcoming projects, events or anything?
Well I do have a couple of projects for clients that I’m working on right now. I’m working on a couple of logos and a couple of albums. There are a few pending transactions as well.

10 years from now where do you want to be?
Well I want to be able to sit at home and do this graphic design thing for a living. Until then I’ll probably be doing something with computer programing once I graduate form UCONN.

Any shoutouts you want to give out?
Yeh um, Crazy Pellas and everybody that is apart of this site. Shout out to all of you.

Any final things you want to say?
Hmm, just thanks to everyone checking out my work. Also to those that are into this graphic design thing (and want to make money), make sure you get your own website up and running as soon as you can.

Finally, thanks for doing the interview.

You can check out some of UP06’s designs in the Graphics forum on CP, and his website.