PSDFan Extra

Ee Venn Soh

Ee Venn Soh is a young graphic designer from Malaysia. You can view his design work here. He is hugely talented, having written tutorials for sites such as PSDTUTS, and having his work featured in huge publications such as Computer Arts and Digital Arts. Anyway, I’ll let you be the judge of his talent when you read his thoughts and check out his work…

1. Thankyou for doing this interview. Could you please tell our readers a little about yourself and your design background?

I am the person behind the creative identity of EIII. I work completely on my own,
without any formal training. The only training will be late night experiments and
tutorials. Currently I am studying computer science in University of Auckland, New
Zealand. Now, I am under an international student exchange program with Nanyang
Technological University of Singapore. I’ve had a passion for arts ever since I was
young. It just comes naturally. However I don’t believe in studying formally.
Designing is part of my life and I enjoy every moment of it.

2. What motivates you to design? What do you think makes design so special?

It all started when I was young. I love things that are unique, catchy and original. I
am constantly inspired by things around me. Things I see, hear and feel. It is just
always part of me. Designing creates possibilities. I enjoy the limitless imagination
and creativeness that we can achieve.

3. What is your average day like?

I wake up around 9am. Take a bath. Check my mails and read some interesting stuff
around the internet. Pack my stuffs and go to school. Study the entire day
and when I really need time to relax I will just head back to my room and surf the
internet for designing related stuffs. Chat around with friends on msn and sleep at
2am.

4. What is your workflow like for creating your images?

I would normally get an idea in my mind first. I do all the mapping in my head
without drafting or draw it out. I will start collecting resources and inspirations
that suit the piece. First of all, I will work on the overall composition,
background and montage. Soon after i will add all visual effects to the piece. A
touch of final colorization to the overall piece.

5. What are your current favorite design websites?

I use RSS nowadays so basically I visit more than 40 websites each day. To list out
those I personally like will be FFFFound.com, FormFiftyFive.com, TypeNeu.com,
blog.ISO50.com, Ibelieveinadv.com, behance.net.

6. What is your favorite piece of design? It can be by any designer, created at any time, for any purpose.

Emmm… favourite piece of all time. It is very hard to decide as my style is
constantly changing and evolving. However, I am a big fan of Peter Jaworowski works
(Hejz). I got into designing seriously after inspired by some pieces from him. Such
as his Nike commercial pieces. http://www.behance.net/Gallery/Nike-Air-Lab/40072 &
http://www.behance.net/Gallery/Nike-City-Motion/55604 back 1 or 2 years ago. Those are
also the pieces that made him a big hit.

7. What is the best way to create truly interesting work?

Designers have to be resourceful. Constant updating and keep tracking with the
latest happenings in the industry is a must. Failing to do so will keep you off.
Even though you are a digital photo artist you should also check out various genres
of works. I check out works from as old in the 50′s daily. It serves as daily
inspiration intake to me.

8. Which basic Photoshop techniques do you find yourself using time and time again in your work?

The brush tool, dodge & burn tool, smudge tool, color adjustment settings and
sharpen filter. You don’t need any fancy filters plug-ins to create some awesome
pieces. It is all about attention to details using tools so simple you cant imagine.

9. Thanks again for taking the time to do this interview. Do you have any closing words of motivation to aspiring young designers?

Be original, be hardworking and love what you are doing. Be a trendsetter rather
than a follower. Don’t get blinded with the vague promise of being a designer. Start
off as a hobby or interest rather than a tool to make money.

Thanks for the interview.

About the Author:

Tom is the founder of PSDFAN. He loves writing tutorials, learning more about design and interacting with the community. On a more interesting note he can also play guitar hero drunk with his teeth.

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