Jim Hsieh
www.jimbotron.com www.fistsofcurry.com
EXPERIENCE: 4 years of illustration/ 1.5 year of print design/ 4.5 years in web design.
Where are you from?Born and raised in Taipei, Taiwan now living in Los Angeles
Design education:Graphic Design and Illustration major at California State University. Computer graphics major at UCLA extension.
Can you share with our readers the history behind jimbotron.com?Sure! 1999, I got into turntable DJ culture. Listening experiences somehow amazingly triggered my imagination. Especially down tempo deep house and hip hop music. I decided to create jimbotron.com on year 2000. I updated my site annually just for fun of it. Until the recent jimbotron 2004 which is now a portfolio site.
How did you start out as an artist and designer?Originally, illustration was my passion and drawing pictures for children's books was my longed-for career. Until I met my buddy Eric Quach in college who is now the designer of www.KingKongShrimp.com. He showed me some Photoshop tricks and made Mona Lisa looked "high". From there on, I wanted to use Photoshop tool to be part of my artistic journey.
How do you find working with clients as opposed to personal work?Man.... it was tough working with clients... I was struggling. I guess I am more like an artist than a designer. Sometimes couldn't accept their feedback. I felt like they were ruining my designs. I wanted to quit. Until one day I realized that this is just part of the industry and it is my "job" to accomplish the duty. So, it was all-good... In the meantime I also need to have some type of creative feed for my hungry self. Therefore, I created my 2nd site www.FistsOfCurry.com. After the site is launched, nothing bothers me anymore. It is like a therapy recovering from the corporate world.
How has flash benefited you as a web designer?It expanded my design thoughts.
What's it like to work with large corporate companies such as Paramount Pictures?It was extremely challenging. Everything happened so fast. Tons of work!! I don't like it.
Under your 'About' section you end the paragraph with Jesus Lives. Can you elaborate on that?Just like how He worked great things in my life, He Lives and He will continue working in our lives and bless us with much more great things ahead.
I sense a bit of GMUNK in your demo reel. Does Bradley Grosh have an influence on your work?Oh yeah, big time! I used to look at his work and tell myself: when I grow up, I wanna be like him.
How would you describe a Flash site that's overdone?It really depends on the design. As long as it's appropriate, it should be cool.
Do you prefer technologically advanced sites or sites with simple but good design?Probably little bit of both. It is important to find the balance of everything.
What would you like those reading this interview know about your site and yourself personally?Please enjoy my site and I love eating meat.
What are your thoughts on design community sites such as DIK, Australian Infront and now Pacdesco?I think it's awesome! Design community is where we can find inspirations from each other around the world.
Design styles you dislike:There's no specific style I dislike. I just don't like bad designs.
There are a lot of trends that come and go in this industry. From your perspective, what trend do you feel has been making an impact on the industry and it's designers?Hmm... I don't know if there's any style of trend that influence our design culture. I just think whatever that looks good will eventually lead others to follow.
Do you have any new projects coming up that you can tell us about?Nothing at this moment. I am planning to make some music with my other designer friend this year. Hopefully it will turn out great.
Thank you for doing this interview, any last comments you would like to add?Thank you Marc.
