Jonathan Wong Interview
Jonathan Wong is a relatively new artist that has an abundance of potential in his art. Only 19 years old and already he has some amazing art that will surprise even veterans. In this interview, Jonathan gives us a glance at his ideals towards design; He also explains why every designer should use a Wacom Tablet. So lets get into the interview.
1. Welcome to Psdtuts+! Please introduce yourself, give us a brief bio, tell us where you’re from, and how you got started in the field.
Hi, my name is Jonathan Wong. I was born and bred in Limerick, Ireland. I am currently in my second year of college studying Graphic Design. I am nineteen. I got started in the field of graphic design by my fascination with the world around me.
I’ve always been creative ever since I was young, which meant a lot of drawing and arty things of that nature. I’m drawn to the allure of graphic design because of the freedom it offers. It’s quite fun really!
2. You are currently attending the Limerick School of Art and Design. Why do you think a formal school education is more effective for a designer than one with just practicing on your own?
I don’t necessarily think it’s more effective. Everyone has their own opinions on formal education. My own opinion is that it does help. You find yourself being surrounded by creative individuals everyday. Getting advice from tutors is invaluable and just being in a creative environment can work wonders. This kind of environment is lost when you are working on your own. But then again there are positives to working on your own too.
3. When looking at your work I can’t point out any one specific style. Why do you prefer a variety of styles opposed to sticking to one and mastering it?
I love to experiment. Simply put. I am still at a very young age. I don’t intentionally have a lot of styles but I do love to work differently from project to project. It is fun for me expanding my horizons because I get to learn a lot about myself. It’s also important for client work and I feel it gives me a heads up in that I have a lot of different styles that could fit for different briefs.
4. With your art comes originality and uniqueness that is not matched by a lot of designers, where do you draw your inspiration from for some of the more detailed designs?
I draw my inspiration from my friends and family. The world around us is just jam packed with creativity. It’s an inspiration station. It’s hard to specifically pin-point exactly where I harvest inspiration from though.
5. When looking at your portfolio I see that you have collaborated with numerous other artists on your designs, how do the designers benefit from the experience besides having created some amazing art?
It’s great because you get to experiment and interact with other creative people. Everyone has a different opinion on something and everyone brings a fresh perspective to an idea or concept. It’s just extremely interesting, for me personally, seeing how different people react with a given situation. Also, a fusion of styles and techniques is always fun to witness, especially when you are involved.
6. Give us a look into your mind when you are about to create one of your amazing illustrations. Do you see what you want the designs to look like finished? Or do you start with a small idea and then expand into something bigger?
I’ll generally have a concept and an idea of how I want the piece to look but it can change considerably when the piece is actually finished. And for the most part, it’s a change for the better. I love to play around with different things and just taking risks with pieces. It’s this exploration and curiosity I have within that makes my work come to life.
7. You are not a conventional type of Photoshop Digital Painter, so why do you feel you need to use a Wacom tablet? What does it bring to a designer like your self who works with photo manipulation and other types of art?
I’ve always been comfortable with a pencil or pen in my hand. It’s how I started so it just feels really natural when I’m using my wacom tablet. It’s easy to use. It truly is a godsend. It makes working so much easier and I have really found my work has improved since using a Wacom tablet. I urge anyone who hasn’t used a Wacom before to get one. Plus, it makes you look hot (even if you are a geeky graphic designer).
8. Thanks again for providing Psdtuts+ with this opportunity at interviewing you, any final thoughts? What would you tell other designers that hope to be as good as you one day?
Thanks to Psdtuts+ for the interview. It was a pleasure. As for my final thoughts, just have fun really. That’s all anyone can do and it’s the best and easiest way to improve. I should know!
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Its nice to see him here –
& im the first to comment
“In Japan” and “Smoke and Mirrors” are just wonderful pieces! Very well done
Great designer
One of my fav’s by far !
I LOVE ALL HIS WORK.
Smoke and Mirrors the one I like the most.
Very Polished work!! ;o)
Looks great.
Wow, i’m the same age as him and this stuff makes my work look like 1st grader stuff. I gotta get busy…nice interview! *Opens photoshop*
@VertigoSFX: Then mine will be under grade
Impressive works!
He’s really good, i like the Idio one, simple yet extravagant.
Heh heh…
“Wong”.
He isn’t bad, but hes on the lower end on these articles…
Nice work. I like “April 1st”
<3 the IN JAPAN piece
Impressive works!
Keep up the incredible work
Awesome work dude! Bet your tutor is proud!
Look forward to seeing more of your work!!!
WOW good work, I’m loving the pics below the 5th and the 6th questions the most. There very creative and remarkable, well done!!
very nice work, i like it.
http://www.3dand2dmag.wordpress.com
I love your “Requiem Wallpaper” and I had that on my desktop for about a month at one point. Great stuff. Thx.
Another artist I’m familiar with. Nice work.
he is young and is very good at his age
http://afrix99.deviantart.com/
what a talented dude. I wish i have his skills.
http://rajaotai.co.cc
He is really awesome, all he work look Really Good
I liked the second one
Muy buena entrevista
Jonathan is great, nice interview!
I like his style, #7 is gr8 ^^
amazing talent at amazing age ….freefall an idio :-]
his work is amazing. another nice interview
Requiem is just so beautiful!
AmaZing Work Dude!! . Keep It up
I loved “freeflow” and “Smoke and mirrors” very nice composition and lights.
Damn he is really good, and irish too.