Interview with Erik Besteman
Erik is a versatile 3D-designer and inspired illustrator. He is also a professional, positive, wonderfully creative and quite personal.
Design Legend Interview
23 April 2017
I've always drawn pictures when I was young. After many different crafts, I came into contact with computer art. Then I knew that was what I wanted to do. I'm basically self-taught but have attended classes at a design school in Rotterdam. I experience the profession in diverse studios over the years. Started in a small studio and taught the subject independently. May and may now recognise me as a professional considering my work and the duration of my work. Do still this work as loving and motivated as 20 years ago.
My motivation was a hobby, an expression I expressed through illustration. And that has always been my drive to become and be a designer/illustrator.
Ha, nice question. I think that I forced myself to become a designer. Or specific in my case, an illustrator. It was certainly not a real clear choice for me. It was simply something that I liked to do.
I like technical design in the broadest sense of the word. So whether a technically and physically correct landscape has to be illustrated, or an open machine part with the right appearance of materials is the ‘same’ for me.
Do not see yourself as small and insignificant. Create and believe in you’re one style and go for it.
Integrity. And that’s something you see in a design.
When is the assignment fulfilled and there is still something left over. As an additional glow over a light object.
A good design stays longer. It is not easily influenced by time or change of rules. It stays as it were itself. That's why we think it’s so beautiful. That's why simplicity is so easily recognisable.
I would like to design an image/illustration/expression for all people that life is not as bad as it seems.
Maybe my answer to question 09….
My secret recipe is that sometimes you have to do what you would never do if you would think about it. My secret ingredient is that you can be naughty.
One of my favourites is Michael Wheelan. And an another great artist is Anton Pieck and M.C. Escher.
I really love the Gispen chair. It’s industrial, simple and in a beautiful shape.
There is a 3D illustration that I made of Jesus walking in the desert. It’s great because it is just a simple and rough landscape and one small figure. And the surrounding powers that small lonely figure. I really like that.
Study. It’s amazing how much material there is on the web to give you insides of the programs you use.
Photography or film. Something with an image!
A design is a way to express yourself in form.
A lot of people around me. The best lessons you can learn is to ask people who the think who you really are. Then you can let go you’re one little stupid stories about yourself.
Perseverance.
Too much to name. There will be obstacles. That’s life. How are you with obstacles? The most and biggest obstacles are made by yourself. Start with that.
With confidence and a smile.
Constantly developing my skills. This is a process that I greatly appreciate. I certainly want to join the next "A Design & Award & Competition" next year. This was my first league and I learned a lot of it.
Integrity.
The responsibility of a designer he or she has for society and the environment is that design adds something that adds value to society and the environment.
Well, right now I ‘am building castles in 3D as an exercise for my modelling and animation skills.
When a client is happy and satisfied with the results I have made.
What I think and what I see now are two different developments. Not all designs are based on an addition for man and environment.
Depends strongly on the question asked about the design. Sometimes you also need to make a semi-finished product (3D print), and then you are working on the technical aspect of the design. And that takes also some time.
Mostly I started with some rough sketches. After that, I make my first models.
I think that that is something nobody really knows and some people really believe the know.
An important one. For making photorealistic 3D illustrations you need to know a lot about computing, software and in my case some physical knowledge.
I work a lot with Cinema 4D and plugins, the Adobe packages and Vue Infinity. It all works on the Mac.
In 3D light is the most important. Materials/textures are second and third is the camera angle.
Just that. What a great design or product.
I don’t come up with a name and yes, I believe in co-design. And… mostly I work alone.
The one who had the most positive criticism.
Study. It’s amazing how much material there is on the web to give you insides of the programs you use.
No, it’s not hard to be famous because I don’t feel that way. Am I really famous? In the Netherlands, we have a saying: Act normal, you’re acting already crazy enough.
Colours; deep blue, orange and green. Season; summer. Thing; my Foster TH900 headphone. Brand; Apple (the have the best marketing).
Starting with a good cup of coffee is always handy. And when you come into the flow with your design… Then it is a great day. Motivation is a short conversation with my buddy. We then set-up the day. Works great all the time.
It was obvious that I love drawing. But it was not obvious that I would become a designer. Certainly not a great one.
The same thing that we have seen in the past 1000 years but then in another form. We learn really slow.
Designer Interview
23 April 2017
I've always drawn pictures when I was young. After many different crafts, I came into contact with computer art. Then I knew that was what I wanted to do. I'm basically self-taught but have attended classes at a design school in Rotterdam. I experience the profession in diverse studios over the years. Started in a small studio and taught the subject independently. May and may now recognise me as a professional considering my work and the duration of my work. Do still this work as loving and motivated as 20 years ago.
A small 2D & 3D Design studio with an eye for detail and a passion for beautiful image.
A shape that stays with you. It's something easy to remember and you're happy to confirm.
Detailed, technical and spatial work I like the most.
A Leolux bank (model Wizard) because of the organic forms. Gispen office chairs because of the industrial nature.
2D formatting of newspaper advertisements.
3D technology in all its shapes and expressions I find very interesting.
I feel the most creative when I make an assignment asking for my creativity and technical background. And early in the morning, I'm at my best after a good cup of coffee.
What message do I want to tell or what should be told or communicated.
The emotions range from frustration if something is technically difficult to solve to euphoria when you have come up with a solution. The most beautiful emotion is when you get into the flow. Then everything goes on its own and time is no longer relevant.
If a design/illustration is ready and I can let it go, it's done, I feel calm and good.
If the image or shape remains a reminder. A nice or just good memory.
Does the design communicate the right message. Is it performed correctly for the right audience?
The responsibility of a designer he or she has for society and the environment is that design adds something that adds value to society and the environment.
What I think and what I see now are two different developments. Not all designs are based on an addition for man and environment.
My inspiration comes from lyrics from songs, music is a wonderful source. Inspiration from books, I like reading and much inspiration from movies.
I love technology and many details. Art Deco and Art Nouveau (Art Nouveau) have both a technical and a detailed form of design. Art Nouveau is very detailed. Art Deco is more technical. Both shapes are beautiful.
I live in the Netherlands and is thus influenced by DutchDesign. DutchDesign is very broad in her expressions and has an interesting history that goes beyond the borders of the Netherlands. Today, we live in a fairly transparent world where design is no longer so easy to redirect to country or culture. I think that's nice too.
The best way to describe this is that I try to listen carefully. If you want to work together you must listen carefully to no the communication went well. listening is vital.
Respect the designer in who he or she is and see a designer as an addition to your ultimate product. A good designer is someone with knowledge and experience. So accept positive criticism of a good designer. It will benefit your product.
Listen carefully to the client's question. Then I do some sketch work so that everyone knows where the design goes and that I understood the assignment correctly. I then work out the assignment in a number of stages.
Take risks and define yourself as an extraordinary designer at you’re one level. Don’t be special. Just be yourself.
Positive; My hobby is my work. Negative; A lot of people seems to think that the no more about colours and form than you ;-)
Create your own style and work it out for the rest of your life.
The most important ones are those you can teach yourself. Perseverance and faith in yourself.
I work a lot with Cinema 4D and plugins, the Adobe packages and Vue Infinity.
I'm using a calendar ;-) It is sometimes very useful to realise that a design costs a lot of time and that is what it is. Stress arises when we think time is missing.
Depends strongly on the question asked about the design. Sometimes you also need to make a semi-finished product (3D print), and then you are working on the technical aspect of the design. And that takes also some time.
Oh, you're making also technical illustrations? I tell everyone that I'm doing illustrative work with a technical background. When I introduce myself as an Illustrator most people believe that I make book covers with a pencil. And it is just more than that.
Making lenticular panels. This was a new technique for me and asked for a new approach. There are a number of rules that give you a brilliant lenticular quality when you apply them. A second important experience is the discovery tour with the software plug-in for Cinema 4D; VRay. Not very simple but a very educational process.
2012, PublicDomain Architects, 3D animation, Sailing into the future.
2013, Myboodle, 2D and 3D design of SocialMedia website.
2013, Formatz, 2D designing Naughtycons app.
2013-2016, Alklima (Mitsubishi Electric) 2D and 3D climate concepts.
2013-2017, Akoestiekfabriek, 2D-3D illustrations, acoustics artwork.
2015, Communication agency The Line, Bizon, hydraulic press.
2016, Communication agency Conquest, 3D water treatment.
2016, Communication agency Van Hulzen, BMT, Mercury plant.
2013, Myboodle, 2D and 3D design of SocialMedia website.
2013, Formatz, 2D designing Naughtycons app.
2013-2016, Alklima (Mitsubishi Electric) 2D and 3D climate concepts.
2013-2017, Akoestiekfabriek, 2D-3D illustrations, acoustics artwork.
2015, Communication agency The Line, Bizon, hydraulic press.
2016, Communication agency Conquest, 3D water treatment.
2016, Communication agency Van Hulzen, BMT, Mercury plant.
Technically in a very broad sense of the word. Since I like to work in detail, building a landscape is as energetic as illustrating a machine component. Both expressions are technical because, for both expressions, some technical and sometimes even physical knowledge is needed. Certainly, if the illustration has to be displayed in a photo-realistic manner.
Constantly developing my skills. This is a process that I greatly appreciate. I certainly want to join the next "A Design & Award & Competition" next year. This was my first league and I learned a lot of it.
I work alone. And sometimes I work with several other people who apply their specialism in a joint assignment. And that works also for me.
Well, right now I ‘am building castles in 3D as an exercise for my modelling and animation skills.
Via my website by the contact page. http://www.bestontwerp.nl/contact?lang=nl Or you can give me a call. That’s on the same web page.