a-list / taimi :: interface designer :: mel
Taimi :: Interface Designer
The internet is for me by far the most incredible technological advancement. The way that is has made the world a smaller place is amazing.
What sparked your passion for design?
During my photography degree I had to create a “my first website” type thing in Dreamweaver, which I quite enjoyed, so much so that I decided to take on the world of digi design.
How creative were you as a youngster?
I had my fingers in every creative pie! I was a dancer and played piano for many years, and I was always drawing and painting. I hated to miss art class at school!
Do you come from a creative family? Were they supportive of your desire to be a designer?
My family isn’t particularly creative, but they were always very supportive of the creative avenues I desired to pursue.
What sort of education and training have you had?
I have a bachelor’s degree, and also attended some years of TAFE, but most of my knowledge came from self learning, freelancing, and working in agencies.
Who did you want to work for when you first entered the industry?
I was really interested in the work that Sputnik, Lemonade and Trout were producing. They were my wish-list.
Tell us about your first project and what do you feel about it now?
Is it wrong that I can’t remember my first project? Maybe I blocked it out on purpose.
What is your preferred software to work with and what has been the greatest advancement in technology over the past 5 years?
As a digital designer we are bound to work with Photoshop - amazing piece of software. But I love Illustrator too, for vector work, and I also quite like InDesign for print work.
The internet is for me by far the most incredible technological advancement. The way that is has made the world a smaller place is amazing. Keeping in touch with friends worldwide, and living and working abroad has never been so easy.
What are the various mediums that you1ve worked with and is there any that you would like to explore?
I love to draw with ink and graphite, but given the time, would like to explore combining watercolour, collage, ink and graphite with computer created works. Typography is also something I’d like to play with much more.
Is digital technology going to eliminate the need for print?
Perhaps in a thousand years when all billboards are interactive digi screens, and we no longer use paper from trees, but instead use e-paper where nothing is static. But until that time, everyone needs a business card/ catalogue/ DM piece. Digi is definitely on the rise - it’s now not always just an afterthought. Businesses are realising that an online presence is vital, and used thoughtfully together with advertising and marketing, can take them further than those things alone.
Whose work do you really admire and why?
I love the work of David Mascha. Incredible illustrator/typographer. I also love street art and illustration and Melbourne has much! Reka, Ghost Patrol, Phibs and Nior are brilliant.
Who has been the greatest person that you1ve ever had the pleasure of working with and what have they taught you?
My last Creative Director, Peter Novosel, was a pleasure to work alongside. Always full of great ideas, he really helped grow his team on an individual basis, was always cheery and brought lots of humor into the studio. If we could all be like him, days would be full of fun and inspiration.
What has been your greatest achievement so far?
Living in Sao Paulo for a year and surviving (just!)
How would you describe your work?
Clean, fun, and often with emphasis on bold colors.
What are your plans for the future?
In the medium to long term future, freelancing will give me the freedom to live and travel in multiple countries. And post-freelancing? Let’s see what the future brings.
What sort of company would you like to work with next?
Agencies with a sizable digital department, or digi-only studios. Lots of like-minded people there with which to discuss geeky, web-type things.
What is your opinion of Australian design?
There is plenty of great Australian design out there. It’s perhaps lacking in its own identity, but I think we as a country are still finding our own identity, so this naturally flows through to everything else.
What is the best/worst thing about being a designer in Australia?
As in every other kind of way, we are so far removed from the rest of the world, which means that we are limited to trends and influences from other nations, simply because of proximity, or lack thereof.
In your opinion, what is the greatest challenge the Australian design industry has to face in the near future?
Making our distance from the rest of the art and design world feel less like a barrier to ideas, inspiration and collaboration.
What is your creative outlet outside of design?
Music is my thing. I’m a dj and have recently started (attempting to) produce my own tracks.
What is the best designed bar in Melbourne?
I quite like Der Raum in Richmond. Really eclectic, really cool.
What are your top 5 websites at the moment?
Coolhunter.net – who doesn’t love this site?!
TheFWA.com - always a winner for what’s hot and new in online.
sbs.com.au/food/ - I love food, and this is full of great articles and recipes from all over the world
factmag.com – for the music lover in me frankie.com.au – for the fashion/urban trend lover in me
What CD are you currently listening to and is it any good?
CD? Who listens to CD’s anymore? Let’s go with mp3. Always listening to Q-Tip. Anything by. He is excellent.
If I was a font, I1d be...?
Long term, let’s go (and I cringe to say) Helvetica. Booo!! But one of my faves of the moment is Museo.
During my photography degree I had to create a “my first website” type thing in Dreamweaver, which I quite enjoyed, so much so that I decided to take on the world of digi design.
How creative were you as a youngster?
I had my fingers in every creative pie! I was a dancer and played piano for many years, and I was always drawing and painting. I hated to miss art class at school!
Do you come from a creative family? Were they supportive of your desire to be a designer?
My family isn’t particularly creative, but they were always very supportive of the creative avenues I desired to pursue.
What sort of education and training have you had?
I have a bachelor’s degree, and also attended some years of TAFE, but most of my knowledge came from self learning, freelancing, and working in agencies.
Who did you want to work for when you first entered the industry?
I was really interested in the work that Sputnik, Lemonade and Trout were producing. They were my wish-list.
Tell us about your first project and what do you feel about it now?
Is it wrong that I can’t remember my first project? Maybe I blocked it out on purpose.
What is your preferred software to work with and what has been the greatest advancement in technology over the past 5 years?
As a digital designer we are bound to work with Photoshop - amazing piece of software. But I love Illustrator too, for vector work, and I also quite like InDesign for print work.
The internet is for me by far the most incredible technological advancement. The way that is has made the world a smaller place is amazing. Keeping in touch with friends worldwide, and living and working abroad has never been so easy.
What are the various mediums that you1ve worked with and is there any that you would like to explore?
I love to draw with ink and graphite, but given the time, would like to explore combining watercolour, collage, ink and graphite with computer created works. Typography is also something I’d like to play with much more.
Is digital technology going to eliminate the need for print?
Perhaps in a thousand years when all billboards are interactive digi screens, and we no longer use paper from trees, but instead use e-paper where nothing is static. But until that time, everyone needs a business card/ catalogue/ DM piece. Digi is definitely on the rise - it’s now not always just an afterthought. Businesses are realising that an online presence is vital, and used thoughtfully together with advertising and marketing, can take them further than those things alone.
Whose work do you really admire and why?
I love the work of David Mascha. Incredible illustrator/typographer. I also love street art and illustration and Melbourne has much! Reka, Ghost Patrol, Phibs and Nior are brilliant.
Who has been the greatest person that you1ve ever had the pleasure of working with and what have they taught you?
My last Creative Director, Peter Novosel, was a pleasure to work alongside. Always full of great ideas, he really helped grow his team on an individual basis, was always cheery and brought lots of humor into the studio. If we could all be like him, days would be full of fun and inspiration.
What has been your greatest achievement so far?
Living in Sao Paulo for a year and surviving (just!)
How would you describe your work?
Clean, fun, and often with emphasis on bold colors.
What are your plans for the future?
In the medium to long term future, freelancing will give me the freedom to live and travel in multiple countries. And post-freelancing? Let’s see what the future brings.
What sort of company would you like to work with next?
Agencies with a sizable digital department, or digi-only studios. Lots of like-minded people there with which to discuss geeky, web-type things.
What is your opinion of Australian design?
There is plenty of great Australian design out there. It’s perhaps lacking in its own identity, but I think we as a country are still finding our own identity, so this naturally flows through to everything else.
What is the best/worst thing about being a designer in Australia?
As in every other kind of way, we are so far removed from the rest of the world, which means that we are limited to trends and influences from other nations, simply because of proximity, or lack thereof.
In your opinion, what is the greatest challenge the Australian design industry has to face in the near future?
Making our distance from the rest of the art and design world feel less like a barrier to ideas, inspiration and collaboration.
What is your creative outlet outside of design?
Music is my thing. I’m a dj and have recently started (attempting to) produce my own tracks.
What is the best designed bar in Melbourne?
I quite like Der Raum in Richmond. Really eclectic, really cool.
What are your top 5 websites at the moment?
Coolhunter.net – who doesn’t love this site?!
TheFWA.com - always a winner for what’s hot and new in online.
sbs.com.au/food/ - I love food, and this is full of great articles and recipes from all over the world
factmag.com – for the music lover in me frankie.com.au – for the fashion/urban trend lover in me
What CD are you currently listening to and is it any good?
CD? Who listens to CD’s anymore? Let’s go with mp3. Always listening to Q-Tip. Anything by. He is excellent.
If I was a font, I1d be...?
Long term, let’s go (and I cringe to say) Helvetica. Booo!! But one of my faves of the moment is Museo.
