Illustrator : Fred Hart (Q&A)
What inspires your work?
My work is inspired and informed by my most passionate interests. The music that I absorb, the athletes I admire, the world events that unfold before me and the streets I walk everyday, all play a roll in the creation of my art. I allow my life to inspire my work, and in return I hope my work inspires someone’s life.
How long have you been creating logos and illustrations?
I’ve been creating logos for the past two years now, and been creating illustrations since I was 8. While my artistic direction has changed over the years from drawing to architecture and now to graphic design, my imagination and self-determination have allowed me to excel, no matter what the medium.
What made you decide you want to get into this particular field?
Deconstruct the world around you and you’ll notice we are constantly surrounded by imagery. My intention is to positively influence the imagery that surrounds our everyday lives, in an attempt to make the most mundane and ordinary aspects of life exceptional. Graphic design to me seemed like the obvious field to enter in order to make a difference, and it’s an ever-expanding field, from print to web to logos to marketing. You can do a number of different things in graphic design, and its versatility is an appealing aspect. It is also important to me that the work I do for the rest of my life is enjoyable, because if I don’t enjoy what I do, how is anyone else supposed to enjoy my work? For anyone in general thinking about getting into graphic design, my advice to you is to enroll in classes that teach you how to use Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver and Flash. Creativity cannot be easily taught, but learning how to execute your creativity can be.
What equipment do you use?
I primarily use Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, however the power of sketching should never be underestimated. I also draw and collage a lot as well.
Who all have you worked with/for?
I’ve done a lot of freelance work creating album cover designs for hip-hop artists/fan made mixtapes; one was featured on Kanye’s West blog and several on Kevinnottingham.com. I designed this years student section t-shirt for the University of Arizona (over 12,000 made), and am currently designing two logos for new departments at the university. My most publicly noted work was an entire series of 808s & Heartbreak single covers which circulated all over the internet. I’m not currently working on a series of NBA illustrations, where I illustrate the most famous players in history through their nicknames. I think it’s always important to create art for yourself, as opposed to always working for others.
Where can more of your work be found?
Here are a few links you can follow, which are also on my website:
http://www.kanyeuniversecity.com/blog/?em3106=227709_-1__0_~0_-1_5_2008_0_0&em3161=&em3281
http://www.kanyelive.com/talk/artwork/lebron-’the-king’-james/
Anything else you would like to add?
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or are interested in my services.
All contact information can be found on my website.
Fred Hart’s 808’s and Heartbreak cover series slideshow below!
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