Diego Quintana is an extraordinary designer with a wide variety of styles. Diego creates typefaces and abstract work. In this interview, Diego will tell us how he made one of his typefaces, and describe what draws him to simple shapes in his art. Let’s jump into this interview!
1. Welcome to Psdtuts+, please introduce yourself. Could you tell us where you’re from and how you got started in the field?
My name is Diego Quintana. I’m a 20 year old graphic design student from Santiago, Chile. I first started getting involved with image-making around 6 years ago, in high school. I used to do some vector-based images of random girls, some friends and stuff like that.
After that I was going to become an Engineer, but at the last minute I just decided to go with my gut and applied to study graphic design. I’ve been happily doing that for 4 years now.
2. When looking at your portfolio I notice that you are a multidimensional designer because not only do you do abstract and vector art but you also create your own typefaces. Why do you feel you need to work on so many different types of art instead of just mastering one style?
Well actually it isn’t about not wanting to master a certain style, it’s just that I’m trying to find the style I want to master! I simply think I’m just trying to find myself creatively. I love the wide range of areas design has to offer, so I’d really like to explore as many as I can, and then choose one to dedicate my time to obsessively. I just like to have fun, so when things tend to get a bit dull, I just move on.
As much as I truly respect those who have mastered certain styles, I’m not one that likes people to know you for one thing or one style you have. I just want to be a well rounded designer one day, so basically I just like to experiment a lot. That’s why you see me one day doing vectors, then some Photoshop mixes and then some type treatments as well. It’s all just a part of my continuous search for graphic design happiness.
3. A lot of your work like the “Summer Solstice” designs mainly consist of one constant shape. What made you decide to create such abstract pieces with simple shapes?
I’ve always loved math and geometry. I really enjoy mathematical perfection, so for a while now I’ve been fairly obsessed with Arabic patterns, Islamic tiles and anything that has to do with mathematical beauty. And when the Summer Solstice was in the making, this obsession was getting some serious momentum, so there you go. Plus I just love grids and triangles!
4. “The Halfway Font” is a font available for downloadable on your website. Walk us through how you created this font and how it fits with your experimental designs.
Well first off I really don’t consider my type works “fonts.” They really are just very personal experiments. I’d never even think of putting myself in the same category as a type artists. Typography is a delicate art that I respect enormously and I’m just starting to explore.
The Halfway font was actually just some random ideas that I developed at college. I’ve never been one to pay much attention in class, so I doodle a lot. One time I had a notepad with gridded pages, and just started writing my name on it and it kind of rolled on from there. Soon as I got home, I went digital with it and decided to give it away because it really is just a small experiment. Nothing too serious.
5. Where do you plan to take your designing career in the future? And what do you hope to accomplish in the next couple of years?
I really want to start exploring the world of motion graphics. I’ve grown really fond of animated design, so that’s next in the to-do list. Professionally, I’d like to go freelance for a while, trying to get some A-list commissions and who knows, maybe work at a well respected agency somewhere. But I guess I really haven’t thought of it much. As I said before, I’m always exploring, so whatever the design life throws at me is always welcome.
6. What was the most important lesson you have learned since you started designing that might help the newer designers.
Be humble. I’m not one with a long career, but I do know that you have to be respectful in this game. There’s a bunch of designers talking about their accomplishments and whatever, but really don’t take the time to keep improving, they just like to showboat a bit too much on a few good works they’ve done. So keep it humble, and respect those who’ve been in the game longer than you. Karma does exist.
7. Since you create your own fonts, please give us a look into your top 5 favorite fonts, and also explain what makes them so special.
Oh! As I said I’m not a font expert, but I’d definitely start off with Avant Garde. I got to admit it’s getting a bit boring since like everyone uses it. But I just love its boldness while being so delicate and modern. Plus it’s made by Herb Lubalin, probably my favorite designer ever. True genius.
Secondly of course Helvetica. You can use it for practically everything and come out winning. Third, Rockwell. Just love it. Really open, yet strong. Fourth, Trajan. Just elegant. And come on, how cool is it that Romans made such lovely characters? And fifth, Clarendon. Beautifully bold yet a bit playful and laid back.
8. Thanks again for providing Psdtuts+ with this opportunity to interview you. Any final thoughts for our readers?
Well just a big thank you to you guys for the interview. Really enjoyed it. And some advice to readers? Just do your thing. Don’t try to live up to someone else’s expectations or accomplish what others accomplish. Go for what you want, practice and observe the work of others. Just feed your eyes constantly – 24/7.
Where to find Diego on the Web
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Awesome artworks! He has a unique and interesting style!
Really interesting.
Also a good source of inspiration.
Thanks for publishing this resource.
nice arts
I like “I miss you so much” picture…
But the link is broken!
i think so many links are broken!
His whole domain diegoquintana.com is broken
Very cool stuff tough. I hope it’s back soon.
His Domain name expires!
Do something to clear it!?
Diego! Wonderful designer and a heck of a nice guy. Great to see some insight behind him and his work.
cool ^_^
very very cool
I like his fonts!
Diego’s website is not working!
My friends whom are talented artists and I know the story of Diego, I don’t think you know the story. Short part is, all of diego works are inspired of xtrabold’s original style. xtrabold warned diego not to use his style.
The links to his website doesn’t work.
expired 3 days ago O.o?
You might want to let Diego know when I clicked a link in you article to his site I got “This domain name expired on 2009-03-17. Click here to renew it.”
Definitely some intriguing work. I think his philosophy of attempting to be a “jack of all trades” rather than a “master of one” is a sound one. It seems to have more weight in the design communities these days. An excellent article.
As an aside: I noted his domain name had expired and it links to a landing page. With this exposure, I hope he can resolve that soon. I’d love to visit his site.
-BH
I liked ‘Trust The KDU’..it is crisp and clean design.. and it gives a very mosque like feel…
I am look forward to more creativity in your Arabic inspired work..I wanted to see more of your work but most links are broken.. Please check and update the post
He has a great style, some of that is similar to whats going on in my head and on my sketch book. =)
This person loves geometry
Yes of course
The link diegoquintana.com isn´t working! Please fix that!
Ooops. His domain name expired on 3-17-09.
He has unique style.
Lovely work!
The Sports Issue Collaboration – great work dude
Thanks guys for all the support… and yeah I know my domain was out for a couple days… but now we’re back in biz as ussual…
cheers everyone!…
“xtrabold warned diego not to use his style.”
Sorry dude, you fail. Me and Diego are friends and I respect his work. I’d never say something like that most definetly because I don’t really own a style… my work is just as experimental as Diego’s and I think it works well for haters and envious people like you.
NB
Loved it.
IN my opinion, that was kinda a short interview…
good variety of talents. beautiful and crisp. nice!1
Congratulations Diego!
Good job.. XD
Piet Mondrian Tribute is just beautiful!
You definitely have your own style.
Regards.
Nice works! i Realy like it!
interesting stuff!.
what happened to PSDTUTS?
yes i agree with you what had happened to PSDTUTS i often come here to learn see good work but right now its like
I think that they are busy with their flash tutorial site??
is it psdtuts?
He has such an unique style… he mixes closed geometry patterns with a smooth style. I just love his works… and now his site is fixed.. so jump in and check out a little more of him… because he has a bunch of works ready to be shown…
great works diego… thanks for the interview…
http://www.diegoquintana.com
His Site is Great!
Nice interview! Great Read
Is it?
but I hate interviews that is reading much!
I like this guys stuff, really different and creative. Inspirational too about what he says reminding us to be humble…a lot don’t ever think about that. There are so many amazing designers out there it is impossible to ever be the “best”.
there is no such thing as the “best” when it comes to art, unless its an art competition
very nice, psd skills
Felicitaciones Diego! realmente feliz de ver a un compañero brillando. Keep up the good work!
M.
You’re much better at Geometry than I was
Another great interview, Diego has a really unique style using lots of geometry. But within his style there is variety and tons of creativity.
awesome
Diego is a great designer of Chile