Today we meet with talented Tatyana Suhodolska, talented graphic designer based in Latvia. She runs her blog at http://artdesigner.lv/ where provides lots of great free icon sets as well as really good tutorials on how to create your own digital files. Primarily Tatyana Suhodolska works with Adobe Photoshop. In this interview we talk a little bit about her design background and where she usually finds inspiration. Enjoy!

1. Hi Tatyana. Nice to have you here. Let’s get it started. How did you start? Can you share any hard lessons you have learned being a designer?

Tatyana: Well, a lot of stuff was happen to me, even I am quite young, but I am working a long time already.I had very different clients, working different companies, trying different styles, was sad – giving up, and was happy with succesfully finished design. Impossible to learn any lesson without trying it yourself, I can share the one and only lesson I think is important: never be afraid to fail, it will happen anyway if it needs to be. Design needs a lot of time spend on it, a lot of situations..good and bad, when somebody don’t want to pay you, when somebody is saying your work is crap, etc. Doesn’t matter, experience – that what is important.

2. Which work you the are most proud of?

Tatyana: HeHe! I’m trying not to proud very much of my work. But,i found very useful my WEB UI Treasure chest, as I have to deal with websites design every day on my main workplace, and i’m using it regulary. I’m very impulsive person, and if got an idea it’s better to do it right now, otherwise I will forget what was it about, so this Chest really helps me out, not wasting time on small things.

3. What was the most interesting project you were involved at?

Tatyana: Hard to say!Sometimes i think interesting projects are always following me. I started my career by making video cartoon advertisment on tv, that was when I was 15. Then I was making small b/w pixel images(savers) for old non color mobile phones.Then I was hired in my first real office,they was Network Marketing company, was selling 20 min flash educational movies – which i was making.Then i was making images for print on t-shirts, puzzles,pillows etc, then design style for company who makes golden text on roses petals,then local social network (like facebook) i was making them virtual animated gifts(images) which users can send to each other, and many many more. For example my last two projects was websites about crystals with 3d photo inside and online Adult Shop ) isn’t that interesting?

4. Well no doubt it is! Let’s continue. Name 3 people you admire.

Tatyana: 1. Amerie (singer) 2. Jason Brooks (illustrator) 3.My mom

5. Clear enough. What main tools are you using in your design work?

Tatyana: Wacom, Photoshop, good mood and nice music.

6. I can say music is the important ingredient. I believe you find inspiration in it. Where else?

Tatyana: Usually when i’m out of ideas i’m visiting stock photos or websites selling templates, and inspiration galleries as well. BUt in most cases i’m trusting my first impulse which appears as image in my head when i am reading briefing for new project or thinking about new icons.

7. Tell us one thing we dont know about you.

Tatyana: I have 4 cats!

8. That’s cool. Would you like to show your work besides your awesome icon packs?

Tatyana: In the beginning i was positioning myself as animator, but since that wasn’t very much popular i switched to design and photoshop, but I haven’t go too far away from animation because during this time i’ve done a lot of flash animated banners.. So, I hope in future i’ll have more opportunities to draw cartoons.

9. Any advice to complete noobs at the design?

Tatyana: As i said before, only experience and time can make you a proffesional, too bad we don’t have a time machine for that. But newbies can make time move faster for them if they train a lot. Also watch more on professional’s work, try to see the small details which makes this work look so cool, when you can notice that, you can do it yourself.

10. What is the most important skills to possess as a designer?

Tatyana: Creativity, and big love with design itself.
About making money -> responsibility, design is always about deadlines, client must be sure he can trust you.

Thank you very much, Tatyana. I appreciate your time. It’s been a pleasure interviewing you!

Tags: Design, ideas, Inspiration, interview

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