Interviews

Interviews with some of the most prestigious figures from the international creative scene.

Interviews
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  • We interviewed Jose Luis Agreda, art director of Robot Dreams, recently nominated for an Oscar
    3D & Animation

    We interviewed Jose Luis Agreda, art director of Robot Dreams, recently nominated for an Oscar

    Robot Dreams, a feature film directed by Pablo Berger, has become one of the most relevant animation proposals in the industry thanks to its successful premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, winner at Annecy, Sitges or the Goya Awards and recently for its Oscar nomination in the category of best animated film. Based on Sara Varon's popular graphic novel of the same name, it tells the story of DOG, a lonely dog living in Manhattan. One day he decides to build himself a robot, a friend. Their friendship grows, until they become inseparable, to the rhythm of the New York of the eighties. One summer night, Dog, with great sorrow, is forced to abandon ROBOT on the beach. Will they meet again?

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  • Interview with Casa Atlantica: basketry and branding
    Craft

    Interview with Casa Atlantica: basketry and branding

    We spoke with designers Belén and Lester about how they have introduced basketry techniques into their projects and about branding.. Belén and Lester, the visionary founders of Casa Atlántica, have made a remarkable impact on the contemporary design scene, harmonizing the essence of ancestral techniques with the freshness of today's aesthetics. This creative duo has managed to fuse traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design, creating authentic and unique products that are making their mark on the global design scene. From collaborating with renowned brands such as Loewe, peSeta and Nike, to being selected to be sold at the prestigious MoMa Design Store, their growth and expansion knows no bounds. In this interview, we will talk about their journey into the world of craftsmanship, the unparalleled value it brings to their creations and how their cultural roots influence every piece they design. In addition, they will share valuable tips on branding and how to make a name for themselves in the art world.

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  • Revolutionizing Creativity: The Intersection of AI and Presentation Design with Katya Kovalenko
    Design Teacher

    Revolutionizing Creativity: The Intersection of AI and Presentation Design with Katya Kovalenko

    Welcome to a fascinating journey into the world of graphic design and artificial intelligence. In this exclusive interview, we delve into the innovative realm of presentation design with Katya Kovalenko, a seasoned graphic designer with a specialization in presentations. Discover how AI is transforming brainstorming, enhancing presentations, and coalescing with human creativity in unprecedented ways.

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  • Behind the Buttercream Blossoms: An Interview with Cake Artist Kwun of Butter & Blossom
    Craft

    Behind the Buttercream Blossoms: An Interview with Cake Artist Kwun of Butter & Blossom

    Discover the creative process behind Kwun's stunning buttercream flowers, her advice for beginners, and what sets her designs apart. In the world of cake decorating, few names are as synonymous with exquisite buttercream artistry as Kwun of Butter & Blossom. Her stunning floral designs have captivated audiences around the globe, and her Domestika course, "Cake Design: Easy Buttercream Flowers with a Palette Knife," continues to inspire budding cake decorators. In her exclusive interview, we delve into Kwun's creative process, her advice for beginners, and her plans for the future. Q: How do you come up with new ideas for your buttercream flower designs? Kwun: "New ideas usually come to me from observing other great artists and studying real flowers. Every time I see a flower, I try to analyze how to make the petals and how they come together to form a whole flower. I'm quite passionate about understanding flowers and how to recreate them." Q: What advice would you give to someone who is starting out? Kwun: "If you're completely new, it's actually very easy. I love students who start from zero because they have an open mind and find it easy to absorb new techniques and ideas." Q: What do you think sets your buttercream flowers apart from others in the industry? Kwun: "Honestly, I feel my flowers are quite similar to others. However, many of my followers and friends tell me they can instantly recognize my work, my style. I can't exactly pinpoint why, but it's probably something unique they see." Q: How do you engage with your audience and build a community on social media platforms? Kwun: "I believe sincerity is key to connect with followers on social media. I enjoy sharing tutorial videos and snippets of my work. I genuinely love my followers and when I share something from my heart, they understand and respond positively." Q: What are your future plans and goals for your buttercream business? Kwun: "Learning is an endless journey for me. There are so many techniques, new artists, and flowers to discover. All these aspects keep me excited to learn and grow. My goal is to keep creating art that will endure." Kwun's passion for her craft and dedication to continuous learning is a source of inspiration to many aspiring cake artists. Her philosophy of starting with an open mind and a desire to learn presents a fresh perspective for beginners. The distinctive style of her buttercream flowers—whether he realizes it or not—continues to captivate audiences around the world. For those eager to learn and create their own buttercream masterpieces, Kwun's Domestika course, "Cake Design: Easy Buttercream Flowers with a Palette Knife," is a must. Enroll today and start your journey into the fascinating world of buttercream artistry.

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  • A Journey to the Future of Artificial Intelligence: Interview with Víctor Mollá
    Web & App Design Teacher

    A Journey to the Future of Artificial Intelligence: Interview with Víctor Mollá

    In this interview, you will immerse yourself in the fascinating world of artificial intelligence and problem solving with Víctor Mollá, an expert in the field. Victor is a professional with a unique approach that combines the fields of Product, Development and SEO, and uses artificial intelligence to simplify complex processes. If you've ever been curious about how artificial intelligence is changing our world, this interview is a rare opportunity to gain valuable insights.

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  • This Award-winning Colombian Photographer Dedicates His Life to the Ocean
    Photography

    This Award-winning Colombian Photographer Dedicates His Life to the Ocean

    Discover Edwar Herreno’s incredible underwater photography When he's not in the ocean, Colombian photographer Edwar Herreno is getting ready to return to it. He gets into great physical shape so that he can dive for longer periods of time, tackle new missions, and come face to face with creatures that have never before laid eyes on human beings. We’re not exaggerating when we say that Edwar has dedicated his life to the sea: he is a marine biologist, recreational diving instructor, technical diving instructor, and the captain of a yacht. His knowledge of the ocean is so vast that he often leads teams of researchers and science journalists on underwater expeditions. This has resulted in him winning some very prestigious awards. Below, we catch up with Edwar and discuss his breathtaking photography.

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  • Interview With Ana Porta, 3D Illustrator Winner of Domestika Scholarships 2018
    Domestika

    Interview With Ana Porta, 3D Illustrator Winner of Domestika Scholarships 2018

    One of our 2018 winners tells us how the 50 free courses influenced her work Ana Porta (@anaporta_) is a Spanish graphic designer and 3D illustrator who specializes in branding. Thanks to the striking personality of her work, which has led her to collaborate on brilliant projects and having work published in The Washington Post, she was one of the winners of our Domestika Scholarships in 2018. She was granted access to 50 courses to develop her skills and train in creative areas of her choosing. We talked to her about how she used her prize and how it helped her evolve her career since then. Find out what benefits the opportunity to win a Domestika Scholarship—now in its third edition—can bring to a creative’s work.

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  • Interview with Illustrator Sergi Solans, Winner of Domestika Scholarships 2017
    Illustration

    Interview with Illustrator Sergi Solans, Winner of Domestika Scholarships 2017

    One of our 2017 winners tells us how he used 50 free courses to expand his creativity Sergi Solans (@no_topo) is an illustrator, screenprint artist, and graphic designer from Barcelona who specializes in editorial work. His work consists of transforming images and complex ideas into illustrations that complement a text. Thanks to his strong portfolio, Sergi was the winner of one of our Domestika Scholarships following the first edition in 2017. He was granted access to 50 courses to develop his skills and train in creative areas of his choosing. We talked to him about how he used his prize and how it helped him evolve his creative process for working on illustration projects. Find out what benefits the opportunity to win a Domestika Scholarship—now in its third edition—can bring to a creative’s work.

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  • Silenced Bodies: The Photographer Capturing Female Beauty
    Photography

    Silenced Bodies: The Photographer Capturing Female Beauty

    Photographer Alba Duque explores the concept of beauty in her book of female portraits Alba Duque (@albaduque_ ) is a photographer and art director from Barcelona specializing in commercial photography and portraits. She is an expert in taking beautiful photos that highlight products, personalities, and lifestyles. Given that she has come to know the professional world of poses and post-production tricks so well, Alba decided to develop a book of portraits that explores beauty beyond the idealized bodies that feature so heavily in her commissioned work. Why? Because we are what we see, and in her book, there is so much female beauty to see.

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  • We Talk to Serafim Mendes, Graphic Designer and Winner of Domestika Scholarships 2017
    Design

    We Talk to Serafim Mendes, Graphic Designer and Winner of Domestika Scholarships 2017

    One of the 2017 winners, Serafim Mendes how he’s evolved as a designer thanks to Domestika's 50-course scholarship Serafim Mendes (@serafimmendes) is a young Portuguese designer who is passionate about 3D design and likes to experiment with different textures and materials to create pieces full of color and present different perspectives. Aside from already having participated in the 36 Days of Type challenge, in 2017, he was crowned a winner of Domestika Scholarships. We caught up with Serafim to discuss his career, his progress over the last four years, the influence the scholarship has had on his work, and any advice he would give to those who are starting out and want to participate in the third edition of Domestika Scholarships.

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  • Interview with Graphic Designer Diana Estefanía Rubio, Winner of the 2018 Edition of Domestika Scholarships
    Domestika

    Interview with Graphic Designer Diana Estefanía Rubio, Winner of the 2018 Edition of Domestika Scholarships

    One of our 2018 Domestika Scholarships winners tells us how she was inspired to get into infographics illustration thanks to her 50 free courses Diana Estefanía Rubio (@diana_estefaniarubio) is a Mexican graphic designer who is an expert in turning elaborate information labyrinths into clear and concise infographics. In other words, she knows how to translate complex data into a language of simple images. Thanks to an exciting portfolio, Diana was awarded one of the Domestika Scholarships in 2017 and won 50 free courses of her choice to develop her skills further. Diana, who has collaborated with CNN International and Turner Broadcasting and was awarded the Award of Excellence SND #36 of the Society For News Design, tells us how she made the most of her prize and which training has had the most impact on her professional development. Discover what effect an opportunity such as Domestika Scholarships can have on a creative person’s work.

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  • Interview with 3D Designer Alejandro Olmedo, Winner of Domestika Scholarships 2017
    Domestika

    Interview with 3D Designer Alejandro Olmedo, Winner of Domestika Scholarships 2017

    One of the winners of the 2017 edition of Domestika Scholarships tells us how he developed his work as a designer thanks to winning 50 Domestika courses 3D and graphic designer Alejandro Olmedo (@hollmed) was one of the winners of the first edition of Domestika Scholarships in 2017. He gained free access to 50 Domestika courses by submitting a strong portfolio that showed great commitment and creativity. Four years on, we decided to speak to him to find out how he made the most of this opportunity. We find out which courses he opted for, what benefits these brought to his practice, and generally what advantages can be reaped as a creative by taking part in Domestika Scholarships.

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  • Sonia Pulido: "Illustration Fosters Reflection and Change"
    Illustration

    Sonia Pulido: "Illustration Fosters Reflection and Change"

    We spoke to Spain's winner of the 2020 National Illustration Award about the role of illustration in today's 'tsunami of images' We could say that Sonia Pulido, illustrator and winner of the National Illustration Award of 2020, decided that she wanted to devote herself to this profession after watching a rerun movie on a Sunday afternoon. When she was nine, she noticed a secondary character in one of those films: an illustrator who had a fantastic studio filled with art materials and drawing tables. Suddenly, all the illustrated books in her home took on a different meaning. "I almost felt something click when I realized it was those people who made the illustration," she recalls. Unlike many others, she never abandoned drawing. At the university where she studied Fine Arts, she discovered a book by illustrator Ana Juan in the library and had another revelation. It opened the doors to a whole other world. "I came across a style and method different to what I had ever produced before," she explained.

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  • Experience the Power of Daryan Dornelles’ Iconic Portrait Photography
    Photography

    Experience the Power of Daryan Dornelles’ Iconic Portrait Photography

    This remarkable contemporary photographer captures the soul of his subjects Daryan Dornelles is Brazilian, lives in Lisbon (Portugal), and his experience with photography started when he was a teenager thanks to his passion for music. So, it is no surprise that he's photographed some of the biggest names in Brazilian music, from Gilberto Gil to Chico Buarque, Caetano Veloso, Marisa Monte, Elza Soares, and Maria Bethânia. Over the years, his photographs have appeared on the cover of over 150 magazines worldwide: GQ, Vogue, Bravo, Rolling Stone, Serafina, Trip, and Esquire, to name a few. In addition, he was awarded the Prêmio Abril de Jornalismo in 2007, and in 2016 the Prêmio Globo de Comunicação, both prestigious Brazilian accolades.

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  • Creating Iconic Editorial Covers: Carlos Rodríguez Casado
    Illustration

    Creating Iconic Editorial Covers: Carlos Rodríguez Casado

    We look back on the most important moments from Carlos’ professional career, such as winning a gold medal at the ÑH 2020 Awards The achievements of Carlos Rodríguez Casado (@carlosrodriguezcasado) will make your jaw drop. His cartoons have been published in magazines such as Interviú, Jot Down, El Jueves, and Líbero, as well as other international publications. His work can often be spotted in the Spanish national newspaper, El Mundo, portraying personalities from the world of politics, with his drawings often appearing on front pages. Recently, he won the gold medal at the ÑH 2020 Awards, which celebrates journalistic design across media titles in Spain, Portugal, and Latin America. We caught up with Carlos, who is also a Domestika teacher, to discuss his profession, his favorite projects, and the path he took to become a professional illustrator. He also talks about his dreams, such as getting to illustrate one of The New Yorker’s legendary covers and the determination it takes to keep making a living doing what he loves. That, he insists, he discovered very early on.

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  • How To Cut a Movie Trailer
    Film & Video

    How To Cut a Movie Trailer

    James Edgington takes us behind the scenes at one of the top movie trailer agencies in Hollywood For as long as he can remember, James Edgington was always drawn to working on feature films. After moving to London in his early 20s, he landed a job as a runner at a post-production company working on prime time British television shows, such as The X-Factor, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, and The Jonathan Ross Show. Back then, James wasn’t yet aware that an entire industry dedicated to cutting movie trailers existed: “I just thought that the director or the film editor cut the trailer”, he says. It wasn’t until a few years later, when he was invited for a trial shift at the Editpool–a trailer agency based in the UK capital–that he discovered it was possible to make a career out of specializing in this particular branch of video editing.

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  • The Letters of the Alphabet as Kamasutra Positions
    Writing

    The Letters of the Alphabet as Kamasutra Positions

    Artist Malika Favre transformed the 26 letters of the alphabet into a book of erotic writing and illustrations French artist Malika Favre has just published Kama Sutra A-Z, an audacious and original book. The 26 letters of the alphabet have been turned into artistic illustrations alluding to sexual freedom and expression. Individually laid out page by page, Malika’s illustrations are accompanied by handwritten erotic texts, focusing on poetry. Celebrated poets such as Sandra Cisneros, Yusef Komunyakaa, Stephanie Burt, Vanessa Kisuule, and Kyle Dargan have been included in the book–all of whom have inspired Malika over the years. Designed by Counter-Print, the book is the culmination of a project exhibited at London’s Somerset House in 2013, the year in which Favre was selected to take part in Pick Me Up. We interviewed the author to learn about her creative process and where she conceived the idea to combine the Kamasutra positions with the letters of the alphabet. She explains what the relationship between erotic writing and illustration is.

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  • Among Us and the Basics of Good Video Game Design
    3D & Animation

    Among Us and the Basics of Good Video Game Design

    Get tips from a video game developer on how to create a successful project like Among Us If you’ve been on the Internet over the last few weeks, you may have heard about Among Us, a video game launched in 2018 that went viral in 2020 for being simple and extremely entertaining. Its logic is straightforward: you and your friends must complete small tasks onboard a spaceship while looking for an impostor: a killer trying to decimate the rest of the crew. Through this plot, the game becomes a social and narrative experience aiming to unmask the story’s villain, who is also one of the players. Its popularity turned Among Us into the most streamed game on Twitch in September 2020 and is still breaking audience and sales records.

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  • Marcelo Tas, Mònica Rodríguez, Cecilia Tham on Working Remotely
    Marketing

    Marcelo Tas, Mònica Rodríguez, Cecilia Tham on Working Remotely

    Three professionals working in communications, entrepreneurship, and business reflect on their 'extreme' experiences of working from home It was already becoming an ongoing/long-term trend. It’s now become an imperative: the new normal. Remote working was already the standard for many creative professionals, but for others, it has marked a significant change. Studies carried out in countries like Spain, the United States, China, and South Africa have shown that employee productivity can increase by up to 15% just by working from home. "In the past, the words 'working from home' conjured up images of people lying half-naked on a couch or in a bathtub while tapping away at their laptops. These clichés have been replaced by the truth: people who are able to reconcile their work life and home life, without having to make personal sacrifices, are more productive and happier," says Nicholas Bloom, a researcher and professor at Stanford University in the United States. Nicholas led a macro study on remote working involving employees from companies in China. The study highlighted the benefits of working from home. Marcelo Tas (@marcelo_tas), Mònica Rodríguez Limia (@rodriguezmon) and Cecilia Tham, professionals working in communications, entrepreneurship and business, tell us about and reflect on their own “extreme” experiences of working from home. Discover more in the video below:

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  • The Story Behind "Accidentally Wes Anderson"
    Photography

    The Story Behind "Accidentally Wes Anderson"

    We spoke to the creator of the popular Instagram account who has just launched a bestselling book for adventurers Accidentally Wes Anderson was created for adventures and explorers. It is a book brimming with beautiful photos and intriguing narratives for curious beings. Each photo looks like a frame straight out of a Wes Anderson film. Yet these are not film sets. They are authentic spots that you can visit, all over the world, and each spot has its own unique and enchanting story.

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  • Adrian Brandon on Creating Art That Starts a Conversation
    Illustration

    Adrian Brandon on Creating Art That Starts a Conversation

    The Brooklyn-based artist talks about the power of art to start a conversation about Black lives and Black culture Adrian Brandon (@ayy.bee) is an artist dedicated to raising awareness of injustice towards Black people, and celebrating and creating an understanding of Black culture, “and the unique joy, swagger, and love that is shared in our community”. For Adrian, creativity has always been a huge part of his identity, “I was that kid in the back of the classroom doodling way too much and not paying attention in class.” Having grown up in a crafty household–in which Mother’s Day called for designing a full brunch menu and pulling flowers from the garden, while his father’s birthday was preceded by making a chessboard and all its pieces out of clay–he credits his parents for fuelling his early interest in art.

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  • The Pros and Cons of Photography Work from Home
    Photography

    The Pros and Cons of Photography Work from Home

    In the video 'Working from Home', photographers in three different countries relate their experiences of bringing their production into their homes In the second half of September, the US environmental scientist and engineer Gretchen Goldman went viral, with more than 300,000 likes on her tweet graphically portraying the truth of her WFH set up. With just two photos, she shows how she appears working remotely, impeccably dressed (from the waist up) while commenting on a political and environmental issue on CNN. Meanwhile, in the image next to her, we see the environment she really finds herself in during the broadcast: surrounded by children's toys, in a messy room, with a chair for a desk. This has become a common reality for many millions of workers around the world during this pandemic: between 25% and 30% of workers in the United States and the European Union, according to a report by Global Workplace Analytics, a number that could reach 41% by next year, as a study by the consulting firm Gartner predicts. To understand how professionals in a career essentially linked to contact, interaction, and physical presence have adapted to working at a distance, we interviewed photographers from different corners of the world. Among them, the Brazilian Bob Wolfenson, creator of some of the most famous portraits of celebrities, anonymous people, models and personalities of his country; the Hong Kong based Elaine Li, art director and multi-faceted photographer; and the duo Daniel Rueda and Anna Devis (@annandaniel), from Valencia, Spain, whose photos take a fantastical, ironic, and stylish look at the everyday that has earned them almost 900 thousand followers in Instagram. Watch the video below:

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  • Julieta Álvarez: Ceramic Jewelry with a Flamenco Twist
    Craft

    Julieta Álvarez: Ceramic Jewelry with a Flamenco Twist

    Julieta Álvarez talks us through one of her latest projects: creating ceramic jewelry for Lladró While Julieta Álvarez’s passion for creating things out of clay dates back to childhood, this love truly blossomed when she discovered she could use it to make unique pieces of jewelry. Now, Julieta (@julieta_alvarez) has almost a decade of experience creating delicate handmade ceramic jewels under her belt. This career path has brought about opportunities to collaborate with international businesses and create collections for brands such as Lladró from Spain, a project which we had the opportunity to learn all about in the following interview.

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