Category Archives: Interviews

We’d like to let you know about people we think are doing great work. And with this purpose we continue the interview series. So, now, dear friends, please meet a 26 year old graphic designer and illustrator from Finland – Olli-Pekka Jauhiainen! He is currently living in Helsinki and finishing his studies at the TAMK University of Applied Science, where he specializes in Digital Media. Among his works we may find surreal photomanipulations, 3D experiments and illustrations. They all excel in both creativity/originality and technical execution. Olli-Pekka plays with metaphors and symbols, putting strong ideas and original concepts into his works. You might have seen some of his works on the pages of our blog, where we have used his creations more than once.

Moreover, Olli-Pekka has good experience in website design and coding (HTML/CSS/PHP & Flash) and creates beautiful websites, examples of which are also presented here. Visit Olli-Pekka Jauhiainen’s website to read more about him.

Now, let’s go to the interview.

“It wasn’t me” by Olli-Pekka Jauhiainen.
Photomanipulation/Illustration made for Evokeone online art exhibition called ‘Evoke II’.

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Tell our readers about yourself, your background and education. Was there a turning-point in your life when you decided to cast your lot with computer graphics?

I’m a 26 years old male from Helsinki, Finland. I’m finishing my studies in Tampere University of Applied Science where I’m spelializing in Digital Media. I used to draw a lot when I was at the age of 10-15 but then hobbies, girls etc., the usual, took me away from it. But luckily after my military service at the age of 22, I got accepted to my current school and I was introduced to Photoshop. So I guess I could say that was the turning-point towards the computer graphics world. Even though my school isn’t really teaching computer graphics, (it is more about web coding or interactive media like Flash) the reason why I started learning Photoshop was the school. The needed inspiration came from there.

“Unique” by Olli-Pekka Jauhiainen.
Photomanipulation/3D/Illustration work made for Evokeone online art exhibition called ‘Evoke II’.

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Philip Straub. Art Director, Illustrator, Concept Art Teacher and Writer.
His main objective is to create and develop beautiful things that entertain and enrich people lives.

Philip is a master of digital and traditional (oil) art. His designs and illustrations can be seen on a variety of products: books, games, wall murals, scrap booking, gift, stationery and textiles, broadcast media, book jackets, CD covers, magazine covers, trading cards and in feature films.

The image that landed him his first artist representative, his first national award, and first paying job was “Faceplate” painted in oil and acrylic on board. And now he is an established world-famous artist held in high respect among artistic circles. He has been a featured artist numerous times in several publications including: The Society of Illustrators NY and Los Angeles Annuals, Spectrum Fantasy Annuals, Expose’ digital fine art books, ImagineFX Magazine, Advanced Photoshop Magazine, Corel Painter Magazine, Fantasy Magazine, 2D artist Magazine, It’s Art Magazine, and on dozens of digital art websites and forums.

The pronounced common element that unites almost all his masterpieces is a fantastic element. Due to his artworks, you can be easily transported into new worlds, surreal worlds inhabited by unique characters, where everything seems real, but it can’t be.

For more information, view Philip Straub’s website.

“Faceplate” by Philip Straub.
Medium: Oil and Acrylic on board / Photoshop .

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Hello Philip. Please, tell a couple of words about yourself and your family. Where did you get your education?

Hi there Well, let’s see – I was born in New York in 1973. My family moved to southern Connecticut when I was 8 and I lived there most of life until I started traveling to different parts of the country for my career. As for my education, I received my Bachelor of Fine Art degree in Illustration in 95, from Paier College of Art in Hamden Ct.

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Art is eternal… Because the artist puts his whole soul into his works. And we would like to introduce one of such artists, known worldwide as Feebee.

Feebee is an established Japanese artist with a wealth of experience. In her creative work you may feel the Japanese motives interlaced with the modern age trends. The main characters of her works are girls. But the the most important aspect for her is not to draw them as beautiful as possible but to express their inner world. This is how the author characterizes the girls which she likes to depict: “They are strong and beautiful, but gentle. I capture the best moment of the girls and I put all my spirit in to that one moment. Please feel it through my art.” In fact, she always manages to convey the character and make the others feel her mood during which the works have been created. And now her brilliant images can be seen in all their beauty on the books and magazines covers, cards, and garments, products packs, on the walls of cafes and even on cars.

In 2007 she was chosen as a Feature Creator of the Month of September on the established Japanese website – Photoshopworld.jp. Her book ”The Art of Feebee” came to be in great demand and received general approval all over the world. At the moment she is working as an Adobe Illustrator cs3 lecturer and, of course, continuing to create the amazing masterpieces.

We also showed interest in Feebee’s creative work and asked her a couple of questions. So, read the exclusive interview with Feebee to know more about this talented artist.

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For those who are not familiar with you yet, tell us about your background. How did you get into graphic designing?

I was already drawing some pictures ever since I could remember and it was very natural for me to develop interest in graphic design.

Art of Feebee.

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Contemporary art is many-sided and audacious. It is very innovative in its nature in regards to ideas and technical means. This is an art of the new generation influenced by Internet and other modern technologies that helped to enlarge the number of means used by artists.

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Among such contemporary artists is Marumiyan, a talented guy from Japan who has recently been chosen as one of the “10 Top Artists” in the design magazine MdN – a general information magazine for graphic and design (Japan). He works with various media, such as posters, flyers, websites and CD jackets. Currently he is living in Fukuoka City, one of the Japanese five largest cities that provides excellent opportunities for different types of activities.
Marumiyan has agreed with pleasure to give us an interview and share his experience, ideas and thoughts concerning his creative process and artworks. So, let’s start!

“Affectation” by Marumiyan

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What’s your background? What or who has had the most influence on you?

My father and cousin drew the pictures. It was their hobby. I was also interested in drawing in my childhood.
I studied design in the university.

“Happy Memory” by Marumiyan

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