domeprojects interview

Justin Mitchell or domeprojects, is a good friend and a hell of an artist. I couldnt think of anyone id rather be my first interview than Justin, not only because not only is he a really inspiring dude, but the site itself is really due to his amazing help. So without further a due, domeprojects.

NEFF: Briefly describe what you do please.

DOME: I’m a graphic designer / website developer. I design everything from business cards & letterhead, to brand logos to corporate websites. I design brand elements a lot and layout websites, usually I chop and code too, but not always.

NEFF: What would you say your biggest influence has been in your work?

DOME: For my design work I have been really inspired by countless thousands of regular people all over the world, browsing the internet I am blown away by designs I see online on a daily basis. Some specific influences though would include web designers Fabio Sasso, Nick La and Soh Tanaka, and artists Shepard Fairey, Sam Florez and countless street and graffiti artists. I would say all these people inspire me, it’s hard to say what has influenced me the most. A lot of the time the circumstances of the project really influence the end result, which is unfortunate sometimes, like as in a client’s personal taste or something like that.

NEFF: What would you like to do more of if given the opportunity?

DOME: Make art. I can’t go a day without spending a few hours working on my own creativity, and still I feel like I neglect it. To be honest if I never designed another website or logo in my life it wouldn’t bother me a bit, I do what I do because it’s the closest thing to art that I can actually get paid for.

NEFF: I know that you have traveled quite a bit, has that given you any new insights into your creative approach or style.

DOME: Good question. I think that traveling and creativity appeal to the same area of the senses, like the feelings you get when you explore a new place, excitement and inspiration, are the same as those you feel when you are inspired by a piece of art or design. Plus the era we live in, with the internet and rapid air transportation, make for an environment that’s condusive to traveling. When I’m abroad my senses are heightened, and my awareness is more keen; I think it’s some natural reaction to change. New experiences inspire, not just art, but the motivation to work hard and keep persisting. If I get overwhelemed with work or sick to death of staring at the computer, getting away to a foriegn place is the perfect remedy.

NEFF: What is your favorite color?

DOME: I dont have one.

NEFF: Describe your perfect day.

DOME: Hmm, Ok. I’ve become more of an early riser than I ever was in the past, so I’m up around 7am for coffee and breakfast, anywhere warm and outside. I like checking the email and my favorite blog feeds for an hour or so and doodle out ideas and notes. I’ve got a dog so I i’d take him out for a long hike. Early afternoon is the best time for lunch and a couple beers. Wrap up the afternoon / evening doing art of any kind, and wrap up the night with a good book on ancient history, Vedic mythology or western esoterism

NEFF: I noticed you draw a lot, how do you feel drawing is fundamental in your work.

DOME: I love drawing, I went through a stage when I didn’t but now I’m stuck. I hope on a daily basis to get much better at it. I’m not the biggest fan of my own drawing, which gives me the motivation to get better. So I’m pretty much always wanting to just ‘do’ anything creative, drawing is the easiest means to that end. Plus I have been taking more and more drawings and applying them to my design work, adding hand drawn elements to websites and stuff.

NEFF: Can you tell me a little bit about what you are working on now.

DOME: Yea lately i’ve been doing some contracting with a company here in Los Angeles, they own a lot of content based websites which are endlessly in need of upgrade and repair, both in design and functionality. For them I solely design, which is great, I layout a lot of page designs, and I’ve been introducing more illustrative elements into their sites, sometimes sites with a lot of content and traffic can grow stale or cold, i’ve been doing my best to inject some life into them. Along with that I take care of some more personal clients, people I work with in the Santa Monica area on special projects. Most of my freelance work has become branding small companies and professionals with logos, websites, letterhead, flyers, pamphlets; that kind of thing. I’ve also been trying to update my own portfolio write in my journal.

NEFF: Any shout outs?

DOME: Thanks Jenny for taking such good care of me while I envelop myself in my computer.

http://www.domeprojects.com