Interview with Nathan Jurevicius; a Freelance Illustrator & Graphic Designer

Aug 1, 2011 by admin    No Comments    Posted under: Designer Interviews, Graphic Design Tips

Since 1994, Nathan Jurevicius has worked as a professional graphic designer and freelance illustrator with many international companies and design galleries. Originally from Australia, he currently resides in Toronto, Canada.

Nathan’s most acclaimed project to-date is Scarygirl, a psychedelic, dream-like composition of heartfelt stories and reinterpreted folklore based around a cute but slightly odd little girl and her giant octopus guardian. We had a privilege to interview Nathan regarding his illustration and design work for DesigningTips.com. Check out the insight he shares below along with some design tips.

DesigningTips.com – Please tell us a little about yourself, where are you from and how did you end up being a designer?

Nathan Jurevicius – I grew up in Australia and studied art throughout high school – eventually ended up doing a degree in illustration and design from the University of South Australia.

During University I was fortunate enough to be given various freelance projects to complete including a children’s book series which eventually led me to editorial illustration for magazines and newspapers.

DesigningTips.com – Is it necessary to go to design school to learn how to be a good designer or is it enough to “attend the school of hard knocks?”

Nathan Jurevicius – That’s a hard question as it varies from individual to individual. I feel like there were some benefits to going to art school and having formal training though 90% of my learning happened once I was out in the real world and meeting clients, running my own design business and understanding what I really wanted to do with my work.

DesigningTips.com – What are the key elements of a good design?

Nathan Jurevicius – Perhaps an ability to tell a visually appealing story that somehow feels timeless (or holds up to the test of time).

DesigningTips.com – Is good design a function of creativity … of sound experience … or both?

Nathan Jurevicius – Good design is actually a function of both, creativity and sound experience.

DesigningTips.com – Is there any real difference between designing a brochure/pamphlet/logo, room in a home and clothing for a beautiful woman?

Nathan Jurevicius – The initial process generally begins with the same set – sketches, ideas, aesthetics, the message etc. Once that part is over, the rest is quite different from each other depending on the niche.

DesigningTips.com – How do you work on your design projects? I mean, what design software, applications and design tools do you use the most for your projects?

Nathan Jurevicius – I always start with pencil and paper – prefer to be away from the computer when beginning a project. After that if I’m intending to do something on the computer for a client it will be created in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. Most of my personal/commissioned art is pen/ink/watercolor.

DesigningTips.com – Are there ever times when design changes are radical?

Nathan Jurevicius – When new technologies and materials are developed it definitely changes the way things can be presented or made.

I’m not sure if that changes the ideas behind a design but it does push the possibilities further.

Some of Nathan Jurevicius’s latest design work

DesigningTips.com – Can you tell us about your design portfolio and clientele (people you have worked with & for)?

Nathan Jurevicius – The majority of my design work is character and story based – whether it is for toys, books or games.

I tend to focus a lot on my own design projects (like Scarygirl and Peleda) but have worked with a number of well known clients including: Hasbro Inc, Coca Cola, Warner Bros, ABC, Kidrobot, Scholastic and various art galleries around the world.

DesigningTips.com – Any design tips you would like to share with fresher’s just starting out in the design industry?

Nathan Jurevicius – Take time to have fun and experiment. Talk and annoy as many people as you can in the industry.

You can find more about Nathan Jurevicius from his website here.

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