Interview with Aleksandra Vinogradova

I`m artdirector in andcompany http://andcompany.com/. We do posters and keyart to movies and tvshows.

There are many definition of design. Design it what shapes things in the way they are. For me personally - design is what makes you fill in a certain way.

I like working on the art for movies. Also I always loved ornaments and patterns.

My favorite piece is probably "Folk Fusion". It combines pretty picture and idea. It is also very personal.

It is actually a funny story. While ago, when I lived in Moscow I designed series of metal sigils of Game of Thrones houses just for fun (https://www.behance.net/gallery/3985601/Game-of-thrones-wallpapers). I posted it and it turned out to be very popular piece. In a couple months I got email from my company "Hey, wanna work on the official poster for the next season of Game of Thrones?". Sure I did :)

I love combining 3d and 2d

After I watched a good movie or read an awesome book. Or when I see other people portfolio :)

Lighting and color.

Good idea is a base of successful wok. Also details and the way you present it.

Idea and originality. It`s important for the design to have a personality.

I think different fields of design have different goals. Every day design should make people life better and simpler. There is a great quote “Good design is obvious. Great design is transparent.”
On another hand in some cases design provokes and brings people attention to a certain subjects. This sort of design should make people fill the certain way.

Design is a mirror of society. It answers society's needs. It also repeats some certain patterns and trends. I think current trend is simplifying and trimming unnecessary.

Didn't have any.

It comes from everywhere. Movies, books, friends, internet, events in life, but most commonly other people work. It is very inspiring seeing other people hard work.

I would say colorful. I love combinations of bright colors. Also I love playing with light and mixing different styles together.

I live in Los Angeles, California, but originally I`m russian. I definitely feel heritage of my own country and I use it in my works. But also I love living in LA, because it is crazy mixture of different cultures, it gives you bigger perspective on other culture and art in general. I think it is great experience.

I work for one :). I`m artdirector in a keyart studio.

Portfolio for sure. But you never know, until you try. I think good designer it is combination of good skills, right thinking, being good with deadlines and just being nice human being.

I always start with collecting references, it is very important step. I have a lot of different boards on Pinterest, for composition, for type, for style, for everything. Sometimes I have an idea before it, but sometimes it comes in process of seeing other people work. Then i do quick sketch, then work on the details, building 3d if necessary.Then putting everything together, polishing. Preparing presentation for my work is my last step, which is very important too.

My artbooks (light and color, framed ink, concept art for movies), posters (my most recent print from Loish), 3d prints (i have 3d printed lamp which I love).

I woke up, go to work. Depends on the day I do 2-4 concepts of posters for movies or tv shows. After wok day is over there are different scenarios: yoga, books, movies, working on personal projects or hanging out with friends.

Coping other people work for studying (obviously not for portfolio), not ignoring collecting references and building sketch.

Positives - everything. Negatives - balancing life and design :). Edge is very blury

No overcomplication

Dedication

3dsmax, photoshop, zbrush, artbooks like "Lite and color".

Struggling :).

It really depends on the task. For work we can have some crazy deadlines sometimes, when you have to build something in an hour. But usually 2-3 hours should be good, more if 3d is involved. With personal projects I prefer to take my time, so it could be meter of days or weeks after work.

How do you do that? :)

I think personal projects is the most important job experience. It really shows who you are and what you wanna do.

HBO, A&E, FX, SyFy, Discovery, Lipton, Moschino, work for projects like launching of FYI network, Tomorrowland, True Detective, 12 Monkeys, Damien, Opposite worlds, and rebranding projects for A&E network.

Keyarts, posters, book covers. Because I love it?

I'm thinking to try myself in motion and title design. And to grow as 2d and 3d artist.

I work in a team, but every person in a team building there own design for the same task.

melaamory@gmail.com
http://www.sashavinogradova.com/