23 questions!

Ken Cato may have gone on to found the AGIdeas Conference, but I bet his parents still don't have a picture of a horse and cart that he did when he was 3 using Microsoft Paint. Yes, the writing was on the wall (as were the images) from an early age that Andre was going to go on to become a creative. Spend a moment to check out our newest A-List.

What sparked your passion for design?
While at school I worked out I could draw what people described in their head. Creating images for people was my happy space.

How creative were you as a youngster?
My parents still have a print of a horse & cart I drew using Microsoft paint, back in 1984. (Age 3). At school I used to draw portraits, make fake basketball cards with Photoshop, made jewelery with a diamond cutter & gem stones, All sorts of things really. I started my first design business aged 14, doing logos, and business stationary for friends parents businesses.

Do you come from a creative family? Were they supportive of your desire to be a designer?
None of my family art visually artistic, but all my family are musically trained. My parents drove me to North Melbourne from Frankston for weekly TAFE courses in Photoshop when I was 13.

What sort of education and training have you had?
Adobe Certified Expert – Adobe InDesign CS2:
Adobe GoLive & Macromedia Flash MX – Online Training
Diploma of Art (Graphic Arts)
Advanced Certificate Photoshop
V.C.E Graphic Communications: Completed during year 10

Who did you want to work for when you first entered the industry?
I remember the name Ken Cato and seeing him around the AGDA meetings. That was a long time ago.

Tell us about your first project and what do you feel about it now?
My first design project was a surf brand logo I did when I was 14. It was a really nice clean logo, that I'm still proud of. I also hand cut a stencil to be used for spraying the logo onto surfboards and t-shirts.

What is your preferred software to work with and what has been the greatest advancement in technology over the past 5 years? Adobe is the only software really for better or worse. On the print design side of things, there hasn't been any major jumps in the last 5 years, but the integration between print and web-design has come leaps and bounds. which is cool.

What are the various mediums that you’ve worked with and is there any that you would like to explore? I've mainly done print work, but I've also done architectural design, event spaces, furniture design, web & TV. I'd love to do more web/multimedia work as I've done the training & think it's where everything is headed.

Is digital technology going to eliminate the need for print?
Nothing will eliminate print work, although never say never. People still like seeing and holding things in their hand. There will always be packaging, and magazine and newspapers will be around for a long time yet.

Whose work do you really admire and why?
I've worked with some great creative directors in London, who's creativity blows my mind. People like Rob Scott from Truly London, have brilliant idea's oozing out of them and I love being apart of making them a reality.

Who has been the greatest person that you’ve ever had the pleasure of working with and what have they taught you? Again Rob Scott from Truly London, who taught me that rather than being like everyone else who wants to be the designer for me it's much more rewarding to work with brilliantly talented creative minds and then make their dreams reality. I learnt that I'm as good technically as he is creatively so I found my niche.

What has been your greatest achievement so far?
Running a successful business from age 14-21 was big, selling that business and using the money to go to London was also a great decision. I learnt a lot in London

How would you describe your work?
Clean. Bright. Attention grabbing.

What are your plans for the future?
At some point I'd like to run my own business again, although I have a lot more to learn and a family to start before I get around to that again.

What sort of company would you like to work with next?
I love working with large advertising companies because they have bigger clients with bigger budgets, bigger scope and smaller deadline. It's exciting in that environment and working across an entire campaign.

What is your opinion of Australian design?
I've only been back a short time, but on previous experience there are some very creative people in Melbourne, the industry is excellent for our size but we're a while off pushing the big boys in London, New York & Amsterdam for the big contracts.

What is the best/worst thing about being a designer in Australia?
Just being in Australia, blue skys, space, green tree, it's easy to get inspired. The worst thing is not having the chance to work on as many of the big international brand campaign launches.

In your opinion, what is the greatest challenge the Australian design industry has to face in the near future?
With over 5000 graduates coming out each year in Australia, we have to make sure we're turning out quality not quantity. More effort needs to be put into making sure students come out industry ready.

What is your creative outlet outside of design?
I'm a DJ, which gives me a musical outlet. Although you'll often see me mixing the two by working with my headphones on.

What is the best designed bar in Melbourne?
Haven't been back long enough to say but if there is anywhere with an 'ibar' check it out!!! www.808south.com.au/ibar.html

If I was a font, I’d be...? Helvetica. I'm not the most flamboyant, but everyone loves me because I get the job done.

What are your top 5 websites at the moment?
www.facebook.com
www.trackitdown.net
www.harderfaster.net
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer
www.youtube.com

What CD are you currently listening to and is it any good?
I just bought Masif Hard Dance Icons, mixed by DJ Proteus who is the best Hard Dance DJ in the world and a good friend of mine. I'm not entirely sold on this CD but maybe I'm just feelin a bit soft.

Do you need an A-List Artisan like Andre in your studio? Would you like to know more? Contact Jenna NOW.