Welcome to our Thursday interview post, Spotlight On – today we’re bringing you insights from one of our most prolific designers, who’s enjoyed lots of attention - and wins - in our contests over the past couple of years. With designs that have a distinct look and feel, he’s a designer many look up to. Ladies and gents, please welcome the fantastic vcalahan!

SL: Did you study to become an artist/illustrator/designer?

VC: Yup, studied Graphic Design in Paris after dropping biology studies… :) Plus a little illustration on the side, but my main subject was graphic design. I forgot about illustrating for a long time, and came back to it through shirt designs a few years ago actually.
 

SL: What’s your preferred medium?

VC: None in particular, the medium is always linked to the idea I want to get through. Used to paint a little, do collage works, draw etc until everything went digital. So sometimes I sketch an idea on paper, do some paint stuff then go the computer, often I start from scratch on the computer, the final destination being mostly digital art in the end.

SL: What other designers or illustrators have influenced your work?

VC: I love a lot of stuff, not that it's a direct influence on my work, that is hard to say, but they are inspiring artists to me, here's a none exhaustive list…  Crumb, Jean Giraud aka Moebius, John Heartfield, Monthy Python, Ralph Steadman, Pratt, Alberto Breccia, Chris Ware, Warhol, Rauschenberg, Peter Beard, Tardi, Beb Deum, Frank Miller, Hergé, Dubuffet, Gustave Doré, John Tenniel, Basquiat, and many others…

SL: Name your favourite artwork of all time.

VC: Joker…

SL: What music are you listening to at the moment?

VC: mmm… Radiohead, Fugazi, Neil Young, Talking Heads, Stones, Skunk Anansie, Costello, Prince, Beasty B., Funkadelic…

Well there you go folks - thanks to vcalahan for his time, and great contest submissions!

If you liked this, take a look at other designer interviews in our Spotlight On series.