Mark Monciardini (Designs by Mark)
03/03/02 @690 | Martin | comments (1)
Well guys, I was super lucky to get an interview with Mark Monciardini, if you ever get to talk to him, your one lucky person. Hes an influential, fantastic designer. If you haven't already, take a look at his website at http://www.designsbymark.com

The Interview

Jacob: What do you feel truly motivated your graphical art career?
Mark: There is so much one can do with design if they know it well. Attention motivates you along with the pleasure of doing it. I would say it's more of a personal interest that moves you and you get motivated because there is so much potential out there.

Jacob: If there was one person/designer that influenced you the most who would that be?
Mark: I guess it would be not so much one person as it is everything that surrounds me, that's my biggest influence. I am a huge fan of Doug Gornick who is the Art Director of Photoshop User magazine. He's flawless layouts and typography is very good. Also Herdert Winkler, Art Director for Wall Paper magazine, the guy is brilliant. I'm also fans of Robin Williams (the writer) and Jack Davis is my favorite Photoshop guy. They all seem to inspire me a lot and they really know what they are doing

Jacob: When did you start creating art?
Mark: I would say when I was about 13, but it wasn't much.

Jacob: What inspired you to create tutorials?
Mark: People inspire me mostly to make them. Figuring out new ways to make tutorials is entertaining for me and I like to hear the response from visitors so I know how I'm doing. Once you find out what works and what they like, you try and perfect it even more. It becomes a self motivation so I guess knowing something that people will use inspires me.

Jacob: What is the feedback you get from your tutorials like?
Mark: How they are explained and they like the screen shots :)

Jacob: How has your site enhanced your career?
Mark: It allows me to connect with people and gives me freedom to do anything I want. Sorry, hard to answer that one :)

Jacob: What version of Photoshop did you first use?
Mark: Version 2.0.1

Jacob: What are the specs of your computer?
Mark: Windows 2000. Dual Pentium 400's. 256 megs of Ram. Voodoo 3 Video Card. IBM 4Gig SCSI HD and a Seagate 2Gig SCSI HD internal. Teac CDR. ScanJet 5100C and an HP 812C InkJet Printer. Logitech 104 keyboard and a Logitech MouseMan 4 button mouse.

Jacob: Cats or dogs
Mark: Dogs :)

Jacob: I know, I am 15, when I started tinkering with Photoshop I had NO idea what to do. I read some books, but at first they weren't beneficial, I had to have some background in Photoshop first. Your site not only gave me the insight, and technique to use Photoshop, but also enhanced my art, my thoughts, and my life. Do you feel it has enhanced yours? What would you tell other people starting graphical design to first start out at? Advice etc.
Mark: Yes, it has enhanced my life a lot. Practice and read anybooks that interest your field of Art. A Graphic Artist, Digital Artist, Graphic Designer and Web Designer are 4 different things. Pick the one you want to do and study on it. Making 3D objects in Photoshop doesn't make you a Graphics Designer, in this aspect you would be called a Digital Artist or Computer Graphic Artist. Designers work more with layouts, Magazines, Typography, Logos, Motion Design and Onscreen Communications. This can help you decide what books you should buy. If you want to get better with Photoshop, then buy Photoshop Books. If you are interested in Graphics Design then buy Magazines and look at them and see what good design is. Learn how to use Type. Typography plays a huge part in design and websites. It would be good to learn it first.

Jacob: What programs do you use and for what?
Mark: I've bought many programs including: Adobe Photoshop 5.5 for web art. ImageReady 2.0 for compression. Adobe Illustrator for Print and web art. Flash for Motion Design. Adobe AcrobatOutlook Express for E-mail. Microsoft Word and Excel for speadsheets. File Maker 5 for database design. Cubase VST for Music sequencing. Sound Forge 4.5 for Sound Editing but soon will be using WaveLab. E-Magic Diver for an Editor Librarian. FrontPage2000 with FP Extensions for websites. WSFTP for uploading on occasion. Irafran View thumbnail browser. Internet Explorer 5 for browsing the web :)

Jacob: Is there a particular designer that you would like to work with, famous or non-famous?
Mark: Well, I'm really focusing on layouts right now so I guess it would be Doug Gornick :)

Jacob: We all have heard about your upcoming cd, can you give us a little insight into it, what's on it, any official sponsor, etc.?
Mark: If you would like an insight check out: http://www.designsbymark.com/cdrom You will find a secret weapon on it. And currently no official sponsors :)

Jacob: What inspired you to create a cd?
Mark: Many visitors wrote me and wanted me to make a CDROM with Advanced tutorials. It sounded like a great idea so I went ahead and made one :)

Jacob: Well there you got it, Mark Monciardini. How about that?

 - interview by Jacob Forstater for GFXartist