Interview: Chuck Anderson

This is the 6. Interview within 2 weeks. We are all happy that Abduzeedo is workin so good. As a special gift we offer you a insight in the colorful world of NoPattern.com mastermind Chuck Anderson.

For more of his work, check out nopattern.com

First of all we would like to thank you for taking the time to provide Abduzeedo.com with this interview. Please tell us more about your art and design background and what made you become an artist and designer?

I've been an artist at heart my whole life. Ever since I was a little kid I loved to draw and create things. It just feels like a natural part of me, so becoming a freelance designer was just the most freeing and rewarding type of job I could have ended up with. I pursued it starting back in 2003 and things snowballed and really took off the following year. I don't feel like I really chose to become an artist, it just is something I love to do.

2. Your work is pretty unique. You use a lot of creativity in it . Where does your inspiration come from?

I think too hard about an answer for this question sometimes when I give interviews. I don't think I really have a set source of inspiration. To be honest, I just really love creating things that are striking and fun and vibrant. Things that jump out as far as color goes. You'll see in my work a lot of times really intense light and color - I really enjoy creating things that feel supernatural and like they came straight out of my imagination.

3. You sure have your own way to do a job. How does your typical workflow look like?

Usually all the business part of a job gets taken care of first. Working out timelines, budgets, direction, concepts, etc. comes first. From there I usually start slow and send clients a little portion of what I'm working on to make sure they like the direction. If they like where it's headed I keep building on that. Sometimes a client will just love what I'm doing and leave everything up to me to finish up, leaving some time at the end for minor revisions and refining. Other times I work very intensely and closely with the art director on a project doing tons of revisions and back-and-forths until things fall into place. There really is no set workflow for me, I just handle each job with what it needs and demands.

4. What are your tools of work? Do you use special software and hardware?

Photoshop and Illustrator are the only software programs I use. I work on a Mac Pro, Wacom Intuos 3 Tablet, Epson Stylus Pro 3800 printer, and my trusty Dymo double-turbo label printer for labels for my online store, npandco.com. I also use a lot of photography in my work and I have a Canon XTi for that. For drawing I mostly use Micron pens.

5. What is the best part about being a designer?

The best part about being a designer is the fact that I do it independently as a freelancer. I don't have a boss or anyone telling me what to do - I take on the work I want, set my schedule, and work at my own pace. It's really perfect for me and how my personality is. Other than that, I just love creating things. I don't know how else to describe that - I just love to sit down and create. It's relaxing and rewarding to me both personally and financially since I've been able to turn my passion into a career.

6. How does your job influenced your life? Do you see things differently?

I definitely do see things different in my personal life because of work. I think they go hand-in-hand though. I have made very good decisions in my personal life and I think that has led me to be successful with my profession. I never wasted time in my teenage years drinking or doing stupid things I would regret now. I really just loved art and wanted to take it seriously. I have no regrets whatsoever about that, never look back and think "I wish I'd done this or that differently". I have a beautiful wife, parents, siblings, and friends and just really enjoy that I have such a fun job that allows me so much freedom. I am very grateful for it and feel incredibly blessed. So yes - my job and life definitely influence each other, for sure.

7. What are you 5 favourite sites in the web?

In no particular order:
Engadget.com
ffffound.com
lambgoat.com
thebrilliance.com
archive.org

8. Thank you very much for this nice interview. Do you have any tips for upcoming designer?

Do what you love to do and don't copy other people's work. Being inspired and influenced is one thing. Knowing what to do with that inspiration and influence is another.

For more of his work, check out nopatter.com