The Interview Series: Adrian Juman, Graphic Designer in Guyana, South America
My Interview series continues with Adrian Juman, Graphic Designer in Guyana, South America. Currently employed as a Creative Director.
I interview people I have come to know through Corel forums, and who are fellow beta testers of and fellow CorelDRAW Graphics Suite users. And some of us have met in real life.
Your Name: Adrian Juman
Website: www.phoenixgfx.tk – Currently undergoing a redesign
Style & type of work you produce?
Well, at the moment I’m employed by one of the largest Commercial Printers here in Guyana. I head the Graphics & Prepress Department. The company focuses mainly on Print Media.
On the other side, I’m currently finalizing my business plan so I can make the move to a Freelance Designer. The reason for this is that I find myself working faster and producing better designs when I do freelance jobs than working for a company where there are a bunch of decision makers (even though I’m in charge of the Graphics Department)
QR design placed 3rd in the Advertising & Marketing Category of the 2011 Corel Int’l Design contest.
You like myself is a user of CorelDRAW Graphics Suite. What was it that made you discover , and drew you to CorelDRAW Graphics Suite?
I started Graphic Design at a very young age and used software like Macromedia Freehand, Flash and Fireworks. It was an immediate love when I stumbled across an older CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 11 disk and saw that I have more freedom when designing and learning the in’s and out’s weren’t that difficult.
What year was it?
I believe this was in 2005 🙂
At the moment, I use CorelDRAW X5 and for quick raster edits Corel Photo-Paint X5. Other software I use include Photoshop CS5, Lightroom, Maya, Daz 3d and Sculptris.
Do you use any analogue tools in conjunction with your work?
Analogue Tools? Well apart from pencils and paper for sketching, I do most of my mockups using a Wacom Tablet. I also use A CTP to output plates for our Offset presses and several Digital Presses.
Photo of Stabroek (Downtown Georgetown), Guyana, where Adrian can be seen walking to work. Ariel view of Stabroek, Georgetown. The architecture was influenced by the Dutch who were the first to establish colonies before the British assumed control in the 18th Century.
Photo courtesy of Mike Charles, www.wildguyana.com
Which year was it you started your business, your work?
I’ve been designing artwork for clients at the age of about 11. In 2007, I was employed by a commercial printer. Now, hopefully soon, I will go fulltime as a Freelancer.
Would you recommend CorelDRAW Graphics Suite?
Definitely, It the best suite of software that anyone can use.
What, more importantly, made you begin working with the work you do today? After all you could have made a career as a hairdresser or something in that line instead, like any other human being.
I studied Business Management in High School and College but always had a passion for Graphic Design. So the switch was one that I had to think about carefully. It’s a move I would not regret.
What is that you like with your work?
Everything, I love creating and designing. It great to represent a client’s thought through design. Using CorelDRAW Graphics Suite it’s easy from the Concept of an Artwork to the final Prints. Also, I’ve had the privileged of working/learning from professionals like yourself and many others.
In an interview in the Digital Artist Magazine, who interviewed me a few years back, I was asked what I would like to see in future versions of CorelDRAW Graphics Suite. Is there anything you would like to see?
Yes, I would like to see development continue and blast the competition like Photoshop and Illustrator out of the race. As you know, I can’t mention anything due to us signing a NDA with Corel
Do you drink coffee or tea in the morning?
Sometimes I drink Coffee, but I prefer a nice cold Banks beer or Guinness as a beverage.
Yes, discipline is a must. Also you need to enjoy working with clients (some of them can really be a pain in the @$)… most importantly, LOVE WHAT YOU ARE DOING!
For someone just starting out, what do you think they should think about?
Planning is essential, look at the industry and how they can stand out. Maybe they have a special talent like painting that they can incorporate into their designs. It’s important to work in the way they feel comfortable and not try to copy/fit into a trend.
Is there any big change in how and what you worked with when you first started out. Have the business changed in any way?
Many things changed. Now it’s easier to collaborate with other professionals online and via phone. With the advancement in technology and software development, everything became easier. Remember when we used a mouse instead of a Wacom? Or manually changing settings for exporting images for emails and the web?
Adrian says: ”Here is a photo of a quick collage of the Side Panels of my computer (well I’m currently Airbrushing it into something else now) I’m a big Anime Fan and these panels show two of my favourite Series.”
January 2012
Hi Stefan, Thank you for the interview.
I’ve linked to it on my site. It can be viewed here: http://phoenixgfx.tk/?p=5647
Hi Adrian,
And thank you back!
I am honored to be linked towards in your affiliate pageon your website. Thanks!
Love the new design of the site, Great work!