Interview--Cormac McCarthy

T  Why have you chosen graphic design? Do you have any other interests in visual arts? 

C  Design as a practice is attractive to me because like most fine arts it involves visual problem solving. But unlike fine arts it is characterized by utility, and its purpose is more apparent as function. This quality to me is more relevant and appealing for me, which is why I chose to study it. But I am also interested in painting and sculpture as well. I do a lot of painting in my free time and have been considering the inherent correlation between both design and painting.

T  What type/s of design are you mostly interested in? (i.e. logos/branding, web sites, publications, advertisements, product packaging.)

C  I am interested in web design and motion graphics. I think there is a lot of exciting new possibility with both that I am learning about. I think knowing the fundamentals of web design and motion graphics are valuable in the growing world of multi media. 

T  Who do you consider your influences?

C  Well, Julian Schnabel is my hero, but I look at a variety of people and, it is good to stay current with whatever you are doing. But I recently I have been looking at designers like Sol LeWitt, Wally Olins, Saul Bass and  B.Martin Pedersen. I also look at various magazines/websites, like Art in America, Juxtapoz, Wooster collective.

T  What is the process of learning how to do such work/editing etc.? How/ when did you start learning?

C  Depending on the project but its most likely in the Adobe suite. Sometimes I do multi media stuff if a project will allow it i.e. using photography drawing painting collage. I would really like to understand coding html CSS for webpages (as boring as it may sound). 

T  What sort of style would you characterize your work as?  As far as communicating a message in your work, how is yours discernable from others work?

C  I guess if you could characterize my "style", you might say it’s minimal, but bold. Form follows function is usually my method for designing, so most work I have done is predicated with that in mind. 

T  What would you say is your weakest point in design that you would like to overcome this semester?

C  Well I would like to master the Adobe programs, but I am hoping to get better using typography. 

T  What are your plans after school? Graduate school? Freelancing, magazine, etc.?

C  I think all of the above if I'm lucky, maybe in reverse order though.

T  Have you done any thinking about what your thesis maybe? If so would you like to share?

C  I have done a lot of thinking for thesis, but at the moment I do not have any definitive ideas just yet, but I am interested in the fundamentals of visual interaction and communication. I’m hoping I can create a compelling topic out of my own process as well insight and discussion in class.

T  What sort of long term career goals, if any, have you set for yourself?

C  Well I have had several ideas/ goals for when I graduate. Some more immediate than others. But again finding a job is most important, then perhaps graduate school, teaching, traveling, and beyond.