By A.Bellemare

6 August 2007

1. What kind of designer are you?

- an ever evolving graphic designer, I have a freelance business and online exhibit company.

2. What did you want to do for a living when you were a kid?

- I don't remember ever thinking about that. I just spent so much time exploring the places around me - climbing the tallest tree and sneaking off as far as possible - always expanding the edge of my world.

3. What is it about your design work that makes your photography better? And vice versa? Where do you see parallels between the two?

- Composition. It can be your greatest tool and your weakest link. Rules, guides, grids are all there to help you along, but knowing when to break them can be a shining moment.

- Repetition and pattern. I have always been attracted to pattern and the way in which solid bold objects laid over top can create a clear focus point amongst the chaos. Gustav Klimt was a master at this.

4. What do you find most challenging about your work?

- Keeping up with the demand of work and simultaneous deadlines. As a graphic designer these days your expected to know multiple disciplines.

5. Do you have design heroes? Photography heroes?

- Egon Schiele, Philip Glass and all things Scandinavian.

6. Name some unexpected sources of inspiration you've had.

- Hopping in the car and driving where it leads me - it often leads to unexpected discovery.

- My two sons. I don't know how many times I have walked around the corner to find what looks like a bomb went off in the house. But within all that chaos I have found some unexpected beauty and design.

- The repetition of one song for hours on end.

7. Do you have any regular habits/exercises that make you a better designer? Photographer?

- Remembering that the photo is never reality - this allows me to see things that other wise would be lost in preconceived ideas.

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