Peter Jaworowski Interview
Peter Jaworowski is a professional graphics designer who is extremely fluent in Photoshop. Peter specializes in advertisements for some of the biggest companies around, and in this interview Peter gives advice to all designers on how to properly put your work out there to be able to land the type of jobs that he has. This interview looks into the life and process of being a professional designer.
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.
Hello, my name is Peter Jaworowski. I was born in Bialystok, Poland. Currently I’m residing in the capital of Poland – Warsaw. I was in the creative field for about 5 years now. Everything started when I was really into multiplayer games and my friend showed me an early version of Paint Shop Pro.
I liked it enough to get interested in this subject a little more and switch into Adobe Photoshop 6. I got excited by the computer possibilities in art related stuff plus it was a nice change from daily playing. Currently I’m a co-owner of Ars Thanea and The Hejz, which is a portfolio of all my work.
2. You have done ads for companies like Bacardi and Sony Playstation, what would
you say are the key starting points for designers to get hired by some of these big companies?
That’s a tough question. Clients always want to impress their potential customers and sell more of their products – that’s obvious. That’s why they are constantly seeking for something original. I see many young illustrators and designers that they are trying to go with the actual trends, which in my eyes, is a false direction. People should try to find their own style, try to be original in some way. Second thing that I’ve observed lately is that people are doing pieces for Nike and Nokia as a personal projects hoping to get hired by them.
I think you can attract a client much more with a personal piece that’s done nice and it’s somehow different rather than doing a client-personal piece if I can call it this. Of course, as soon as you get your first opportunity for a bigger client project and you’ll do it the best you can, and you’ll have much more chances that someone else will knock your door in the future. Please remember that making quality projects is not enough for the biggest brands – you need to be communicative and punctual on deadlines as well. Hope that helps.
3. When designing do you strictly use Photoshop or is there a mix between programs?
I use Photoshop for almost everything, all the time. Right now I’m learning some 3D Applications for the support and trying to improve my matte painting techniques.
4. What made you first want to get into the profession of Graphic Design?
I’ve always been attracted by art, although I’ve never had this gift in my hands and my drawings were rather weak. When I discovered Photoshop I felt like I had been given another chance to express myself by this media. I’m not that kind of guy who is looking forward to some things. I live day by day, project by project.
What I do is try to make every project as if it was my last one – I put all my effort in so I can make the client happy, but also to satisfy my inner needs. By acting like that, I never really have a chance to think about a profession, but it came to me like a bolt of lightning and I followed that path.
5. Give us a look into some of the design blogs, forums, or websites you like to visit
and what makes them so interesting.
Since I work all day in front of computer I see a lot of different websites and blogs everyday but the ones I visit daily or even more than once a day are: The FWA, which is a great source of inspiration if it comes to Interactive Design. At Behance you can find some really nice spotlighted galleries, if you dig deeper you’ll find some truly amazing stuff.
There is also CPLUV, Reform & Revolution, and I Believe in ADV. I check out all of those for a daily dose of news and inspiration.
6. How do you approach a new project? What would be your first couple of steps when starting a new design?
Normally when I receive a brief from client I think of ideas on the subject. I write them down, additionally I create mood boards and send them back to the client for some feedback in which direction would be best to go. After that, I try to push the idea further until it gets accepted. The next phase involves some really quick concepts/roughs and after that I can start the production phase.
7. What is the most important lesson you have learned since you started designing? And how has it helped you since?
I was having a really hard time understanding that my designs aren’t just colorful images that I create, but they are advertising pieces. That’s why sometimes products have to be much more visible. And you need to obey the brands ID, which forces you to makes something specific for them.
Products have to sell because of it. How it helped me? I’m not getting stressed on every refinement request I get, I can plan the image differently from scratch.
8. Most people would call you a well rounded and professional designer, but what area of design do you think needs improvement and why?
For the past couple of years I’ve been trying to learn and improve my techniques, but I think it’s right about time now to work on the concept side of it all. I don’t know if I have some projects in the future where I could practice this, but I’ll be trying my best – that’s for sure.
9. 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?
Always try to make the best in whatever you do, though be yourself. Thank you, the pleasure was all mine.
Where to find Peter on the Web
Enjoyed this Post?
Subscribe to our RSS Feed, Follow us on Twitter or simply recommend us to friends and colleagues!
By Emil Agarunov
Join our newsletter!
Create a Tutorial, Get Paid!
Have something to teach the world? Want to earn money doing it? Tutorials, screencasts, and articles published here on Psdtuts+ are largely contributed by readers just like you! We'll pay you great money for good content. Find Out More
The work is awesome, inspiring for a Friday afternoon.
Haha Thats Great!
First?
damn! awesome works!
Inspirational!
Andrew
Great works! Love the style :D
WOW, i love his style :D
Great Interview :D
I want to see a tutorial from this guy.
Omg Hejz !
I just love his work X_X
Thx for the interview !!!
Hejz, this dude has an amazing site as well.
Skills Boi!!!!!!!!!
talent.period.
Awesome interview!!, I love His work and have been inspired!!..Yeah a Tutorial from him, would be great!! :o)
This guy is amazing. I totally love the liquid cobra! Cobra Kai!
Your Message…
ya the cobra was NASTY. We have to have a tutorial from this guy. GREAT WORK!
amazing fountain of art !
THis guy rocks!
Amazing works..and great interview, thanks :))
Love it!
Amazing work you have here. So when do you get to do a tutorial for PSDTUTS!?!
God that style is getting so old.
Yeah he’s good and all but let’s see something new.
Meh.
He is Polish :)
Nice art work. A tutorial would be nice.
what does he mean by “mood boards”? what exactly are those?
This guy is great. I’ve admired his work for some time now. Thanks for the interview … and, when did you say we get a tut from him?
Short and sweet.
Top notch designer and advice. One of my biggest inspirations
This guy is amazing.
Known Peter for a few years. Only ever spoken briefly a few times though. His work is truely in a world of its own, standing above all.
For any of the graphic designers out there, he’s one guy to keep your eyes on thats for sure.
i love he1z. he is one of my fav designers. it’s a bit shame that he doesn’t go any further in explaining his techniques. but hey – true wizard newer tells you how to do his tricks.
Very nice vork. I like your style. Bialystok is my 2nd familly town. Lots of time spend ther. I knew that there is someone very talented.
ps. pl version
Dobra robota, i oby tak dalej. Dolaczam sie do prosb o jakis tutek.
This guy is from Poland
Poland got the best graphic designers in the world that’s what i think lol
http://afrix99.deviantart.com/
Damn his work is PHENOMENAL.
Although i’m a huge admirer of peters work, I’m also a major critic.
Him saying that developing your own style is the best way to go is certainly not what he did, he definitely is a trend follower, less so know, but very evident in his earlier works.
always dug your work…
Great work! He is a great designer though.
What a great guy and an amazing designer. Loved every minute of this interview and browsing his portfolio.
very impressive.very awesome works.
I’ve seen his work many times, thanks the great interview.
Masterful technical pieces yet still evocative; I love all of them.
great work! very inspirative!
a tutorial from peter jaworowski would be great!
Nice interview
Nice inspiring work.
One of my biggest inspirations. Thanks for the interview!
holy crap hes gotta style, the boys gotta style…
Nice stuff, very awesome work.
question 8 isnt as the rest off the question, like style. But great interview.
Regards,
Joey Hiemstra
Awww man.. I want him to teach me.. like now =)
Nice !
Great Inspiration, needed the dose hmm thanks psdtuts!!!
exelente uni ok