Kyle Yugawa
www.amorphicdesign.com EXPERIENCE: Like a lot of artist, I started off drawing and sketching in my notebook, textbook or anything I could get my hands on. I first became interested in graphic design during college where I learned how to combine two of my biggest interests and fascinations (illustration and the computer) and use it as a tool to communicate.
Where are you from?Born and raised in rainy Hilo, HI
Design education:I am a graduate of the University of Hawaii at Manoa with a bachelor in Fine Arts (intermedia).
What inspires you?People who have found the one thing they love to do and aren't afraid to pursue it. Nature. Music. Art. Life.
What are your thoughts on Hawaii's Digital Art scene?The number of local artists producing work for the web is small, but growing. There are a lot of local designers producing great digital work, but unaware that there are others sharing the same interests. As a former student, I would go to sites done by mainland and European rather than local designers for inspiration because I did not know of any. Sites like computerlove.com, k10k.com and designiskinky.com give a great deal of exposure to emerging artist and act as a hub for designers to share their thoughts and ideas with each other. I believe that PacDesCo is on the right track by producing this community website.
What do you see in the future for Flash and other Macromedia products?With the increase in broadband, I can see flash being used more for interface and application development just as much as presentations and motion graphics.
A lot of flash sites have similar interfaces these days, how do you feel about designers emulating other designers?It's hard to judge the originality of interface design because so much depends on the usability of the site. I see a lot of sites with very original interfaces, but so complicated to use that very few people would actually take the time to learn how to navigate through it. On the other hand there are a lot of sites that we have become accustomed to moving around in, but lack creativity and originality. I think this is a challenge that every designer faces with each website they design. I don't agree with imitating other designers, but I do find inspiration through them. As artist we have been influenced by others before us, which has helped to shape our own style. I think that designers that imitate the work of others haven't taken the time to solve the design problem in their own way.
Do you have any actionscript tips for new Flashers?Honestly, actionscript is by far the most difficult part about learning Flash to me. I suck at it. But I am slowly getting better with every project. The best advice I can give is to just get a book on actionscript, sit down next to your comp and start reading.
If there was one thing you could change about Flash MX what would it be and why?Better type controls to set larger bodies of text and a file manager like Dreamweaver to make it easier switching between flash files.
With broadband a household necessity, do you still think it's important to cater to dial-up and 56k users?Yes. I think that this factor still needs to be considered when you are designing a website. Like every medium, the web has its own set of limitations, but its within those constraints that sometimes helps to take away needless elements that weigh down a site and most times you are left with a better finished product. On the other hand I do appreciate those who take the time to experiment and push the medium to the next level
I've noticed you created a website for a Gracie Jiu-Jitsu affiliate, do you practice any Martial Arts yourself?Yes. I train at the Gracie Jiu-jitsu Academy.
Do you prefer technologically advanced sites or sites with simple but good design?Good design should always come first, meaning that it should communicate its purpose and gives the user what they need. I believe that technology should be used to support that purpose.
Do you think knowledge of traditional art is important in graphic / web design?Absolutely. I am a firm believer that a design should be first visualized on paper before the computer is ever turned on. I think that drawing skills are vital in any creative process but unfortunately it not regarded as important in graphic or web design.
What are your bad personal and design habits?I have a tendency to not finish personal projects that I start. Since every project that I do is a learning process I am always discovering new and better ways of visualizing my concepts. A lot of times I will start a project, find a better way to do it, and then want to start from the beginning again using a new method. It's needless to say that I have a lot of unfinished personal projects collecting dust on my computer.
Design styles you dislike:Overly techno sites.
What's your favorite PC game of all time?Hmmm. Don't play any games on my comp...but I am looking at the new Final Fantasy XI coming out. I'm a big fan of that series.
Do you have any new projects coming up that you can tell us about?I just finished some poster design for the www.computerlove.net contest. Lots of really good entries. And even more crappy ones.
Favorite food:Lasagna
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Kyle has come long way from these designs, by far one of the best designers I know! Rock on Kyle!!
I heard about your picture all over San Francisco ;)
Aloha, Marc
