When TDK caught up with WA icon designer/illustrator, Brook Wells, he talked podcasts, stalking pinterest and Disney quotes. He's come a long way from a TDK Folio Coaching session back in 2013 - this year he's been talking to people who design for Disney, Facebook and Oculus rift. Impressed!! Thanks for taking the time to chat to us Brook...
What was your plan for graduating and what actually happened?
The plan was to work for a well respected design studio that would value my skills and creativity and allow me to grow as a designer. I graduated in 2012 with a portfolio that I thought was varied and credible. Eventually I was offered jobs but in the end they did not work out. Today I perform freelance work, volunteer at a non profit organisation and I work as a graphic designer for some of the top bars and restaurants in Western Australia. While I'm not in my preferred dream job, I am working towards it consistently.
Top five design crushes
Meg Robichaud – I aim to be as successful as she is! Makers Company – a studio in South Africa that specialises in icons and illustration. Justas Galaburda – a great guy and a amazing icon designer that I look up too. Patswerk – these guys have a really creative style of illustrating and the colours they choose are bright and colourful. The DephCore Collective – as a whole, the majority of the members have revolutionised the digital art and graphic design scene (e.g. Justin Maller, Karan Singh and Rik Oostenbroek).
What are your three must-read design books, blogs or podcasts and why?
Creative Trek – A podcast that talks to illustrators. They discuss how they got to where they are today, they talk about the struggles they faced to get from a to b to c and how they overcame their fears. The Collective Podcast – A podcast that interviews creative people from all backgrounds in the creative industry. lifeandlimb podcast – While it only has 20 episodes it is still a fantastic podcast that delves inside the person being interviewed on how they got started and where they are now.
What career advice would you give your 16yr old self?
I would say play less video games, work more on your art, don't let others get you down, don't worry about making mistakes, push that colour theory, don't give up no matter how hard it is and don't worry about what others are doing in there creative endeavours. One quote that has stuck with me is one said by Walt Disney – “Around here, however, we don't look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things… and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”
I get emails from people around the world from North America all the way to Europe who want me to design icons, illustrations and logos for them. I have been talking to people who design for Disney, Facebook and Oculus Rift.
What has been your highlights since you started out?
When I browse the net and see my work being used without my permission, I go through Pinterest and see people have pinned what I have made into there inspiration or colour boards, I get emails from people around the world from North America all the way to Europe who want me to design icons, illustrations and logos for them. I have been talking to people who design for Disney, Facebook and Oculus rift. I joined a design community on the net where people give feedback and explain how I can improve.
Whats the big goal in the next five years?
In the next five years I want to work oversees in North America and incorporate motion graphics, ux/ui and c4d into my repatoire.
Where to find Brook Wells online.
Twitter @brooktwinpeaks
Dribbble metalsnakejuice
Instagram @holidaysun
Email [email protected]
