Interview with the 2nd place winner of Derby 102
KrisRobinson just recently started participating in Woot regularly even though he's been here over a year. Here's more about him.
Shirt.Woot Stats? (first derby / shirts bought / shirts printed)
50 (Energy) / 11 / 2+. For the Energy Derby I drew a design that didn't win, but ended up being tattooed over someone's entire back - which was mind blowing. It's crazy to see something you draw printed on a t-Shirt, it's something else to see it inked into someone's skin. But I didn't consistently enter Woot's Derby until recently. I've bought 11 shirts so far. I have two Honorable Mention coupons waiting in the wings, ready to pounce, as well. My favorite so far was a daily, Bird Brain I think it was called. I love how it looks on the shirt. I had one collab with Kdeuce printed ("Bomb Deco"), and recently, "Evil-o-meter". I submitted a couple of dailies, one of which they have earmarked to print, I don't know when though - it's called "Sacre Bleu!" so keep an eye out for it.
What are your tools of choice?
Software -- well for some reason I love using Flash. I usually doodle around in there and then take it to
Illustrator and
Photoshop to refine an idea. I use a
Wacom Intuos 6x9.
What is your typical process for going about a design?
I usually mull around a few ideas in my head first and like to "air doodle" with my finger - don't laugh, it's contagious. If nothing strikes me I'll get on the computer and sketch in Flash or Photoshop. I usually come from one of three angles, either a nice or striking piece of art or design, a funny gag, or a cutesy scene. It's usually going to be one or a combination of the three. After my rough sketch I'll usually show it to friends and get some feedback before I spend the hours on it. I'll usually do the linework first and then the light and shade. The last thing I do is play around with the palette - just trying to find the right tones, especially when you're doing something for Woot, it takes me some time to find the right Pantones, as I generally don't work in Pantones unless the design is completely rasterized.
What design or art experience do you have outside the derby?
I've been drawing since I was about 4 or 5. I went to an arts college back in Australia where I am from and graduated with Honors. After college my old teacher actually quit the school to continue to tutor me and my sister on a part time basis. I worked in mixed media and oils and actually sold a couple of paintings in an exhibit my teacher organized. But from there I moved on to the computer (the beginning of the end) and I moved over to Hawaii, got married and I have been doing a lot of design and illustration to make a living.
Which artists or designers inspire you?
When i was going to college I studied Dali and Monet, but I never really went back to those. I'm a big comic fan, I think graphic novels are an under-rated art form and I find inspiration in Mike Mignola, Ashley Wood and Frank Miller.
Would you like to do art/design full-time? If so, what is your dream job?
Hell yeah I would. My dream job would be to be a lucrative graphic novelist.
Any plans to ever sell your designs using a print-to-order shop like SpreadShirt or CafePress?
I did, but I was told that it's a bit of a waste of time. But if anyone has a success story, please contact me and let me know!
ThatRobert says: checkout
Printerview with Amorphia Apparel on SpreadShirt. It's rare but it happens!
What advice do you have for new derby artists?
Keep submitting, and don't be frustrated when your best designs don't win. The Derby, she can be a cruel lover.
