Ari Weinkle is a designer that creates some unique abstract works of art. It is this unique style that helped earn Ari a place in the prestigious Depthcore collective as well as many other features and accolades. In this interview Ari discusses why he decided to go to the Rhode Island School of Design and how he benefited from it. He also gives our readers some really fantastic advice. So don’t miss out on this excellent interview.
Q Welcome to Psdtuts+, please introduce yourself. Could you tell us where you’re from and how you got started in the field?
I am from Boston, Massachusetts and have just graduated from the Rhode Island School Design. I have been interested in art and design my whole life, but began working in the digital realm in high school. Currently, I am working at a design and branding firm in Boston.
Q Why did you decide to become a designer? Who or what exactly drew you to the profession?
I have always enjoyed creating things and making artwork. I wanted to be able to work creatively in my day job, and graphic design allows me to do that. I landed specifically on graphic design because it always seemed like one of the most tangible ways to bring art into one’s work. On another level I have been surrounded by art my whole life and was very fortunate to be able to travel a fair amount at a young age. That exposed me to many different cultures and aesthetics, which greatly contributed to my desire to become a designer.
Q What aspect of an illustration do you enjoy working on the most, and why?
To me the best part is that “ah ha” moment that comes after hours and hours of working on a project. Some people call it “flow” or something similar. After lots of errors and setbacks, things finally start to come together. Then the fun part comes where you lose track of time and can enjoy the process of creating. This usually occurs after I’ve settled on a concept and am working on the microscopic details.
Q In your portfolio you write that you have attended the Rhode Island School Of Design, why did you choose to attend opposed to becoming a self taught-designer like some?
That’s an interesting question. I felt that going to art school would expand my thinking and attitude towards art and design. On a practical level, it’s great to have a degree. I also had an opportunity to meet and work with many talented people who pushed me to work harder, and inspired me to think differently.
Q What would you say is one of the more important lessons you learned from going to college for design?
Much of what I was taught at school relates to process. For me, one of the most important things I learned was to enter each project without expectation. Instead, it’s better to work and let the process and act of creating/designing lead your decisions. It’s a very tough thing to incorporate into one’s work, but I think its really important.
Q You recently created 5 illustrations that were inspired by a trip to India, please talk about what exactly inspired you to create them and also which is your favorite?
During my trip, I went to many sacred spots across northern India. Being surrounded by so much devotion, vivid imagery, and unique sensory stimulus made me want to create this series as a response to what I experienced. The series of work was inspired by five of the principle deities in Hinduism. Each piece attempts to reduce the iconography of the particular Deity to something abstract, and not directly related to form. If I had to choose a favorite, it would be the Shiva piece, because it was the final work I created and the one which in which I pushed myself the furthest. The forms were actually generated by igniting charcoal, paper, and handmade Indian paper.
Q Who would you say are your all-time heroes of design? Both traditional and modern, and how have they shaped you as a designer?
In terms of contemporary graphic design studios, some of my favorites are, Grandpeople, Project Projects, and Onlab. Each of those studios is a bit different, but they all have me to think differently about typography. In terms of more traditional artists, some of my favorites are Joan Miro, Hiroshige, Piet Mondrian, and Mark Rothko. Mondrian in particular is someone who I never get tired of. Of course, the whole Depthcore. collective is one of my main sources of inspiration… everyone there is top-notch and have really helped bring my work to a new level.
Q Thanks again for providing Psdtuts+ with this opportunity to interview you. Any final thoughts for our readers?
Thanks for having me… all I can say is to keep creating! The world needs more meaningful art and design.
