I originally found aeiko through desktopography.net. Desktopography is an annual release of exclusive desktop artwork designed by some of today’s best designers. Pete Harrison, the man behind aeiko, acts as curator to the initiative.
It was natural then that I looked at the design work done by aeiko himself. Sure enough it was as spectacular as the work done by the designers he surrounded himself with.
Pete’s work extends to clients such as Trojan, MTV, Guinness, Coca Cola, Konami, Nike and even to his own clothing label Funkrush, again featuring a collective of great designers.
I was lucky enough to have Pete answer a few questions that I hope users will find as interesting and informative as I did.
1. First off, how does it feel to launch a new website?
Hey, it feels great… simply because I haven’t updated aeiko in a few years (well apart from a temporary showcase), and this site is much more informative. Hopefully people will get a good idea of my skills and background.
2. How does freelancing work compare with an agency environment? Are there dominant pros or cons of either?
Well as you know I worked in an agency for a while. It was a big agency and I’m sure it would have been different from a smaller one, however I much prefer freelancing. For a start I don’t have to get up in the mornings, I’m definitely not a morning person… Its more freedom, I sleep when I’m tired, eat when I’m hungry and have lots more free time… today is sunny and I’m going for a drive, then for some drinks at a bar next to the beach… fair enough I havent got that much work on at the moment, but I couldnt just do that if I worked at a fulltime job! Besides that I prefer working at night :)
3. Is there a particular piece of work that stands out for you? A design that really made you feel proud of your talent?
There are pieces of work that along my career have stood out yeah, and I’ve been proud of a few pieces of work, but mostly proud of the projects I have started, desktopography and funkrush mainly!
4. What do you spend the most time doing?
Playing xbox… haha well this used to be the case, probably now I spent the most time answering emails, checking facebook and networking… catching up with whats going on in the creative industries and procrastinating, but when I have a project on then I’m dedicated to that, I think I need to sort out my time better, which is something I’m working on!
5. Do you read any magazines or blogs? Which ones and why?
Umm… not really any magazines, apart from the one’s which I’m m in… I think I should read more though, I’m a bit out of date with current affairs! I regularly check blogs though, just all the usual design blogs and portals and some others… OL, format, R&R, BSV, swissmiss, surfstation, september industry, visuelle, bitique, aisleone, dirty mouse, iso50… even stuff like digg, and my own blog duoform! which I will try and keep more updated!
6. Do you have a favorite design tool? (whether that be in software of not)
Photoshop of course, but I’m moving towards the pencil today :)
7. What do you generally do on a Friday or Saturday night?
In one word, party! haha…I’m a sociable person, so the weekend is just spent doing fun stuff… mainly going around the country to different nights out, getting drunk and meeting new people, my hometown is torquay so if I’m not out in a different city you can find me in the bars and clubs in the english riviera!
8. If you could pitch a new feature to Adobe for one of their software applications such as Photoshop or Illustrator what would it be?
Content aware fill… oh wait… nah.
9. How important is music to you and your work?
Very I’mportant, always have music on while designing! Cant live without it! Big up hospital records right now…
10. Can you describe two or three designers that have really had an I’mpact on your work or has really inspired you in some way?
I thought about this for a while, and its a tough question, I couldnt pick three, If I can give a shoutout to all my depthcore family that would be great, constantly inspiring :)
11. Any projects or clients you’re really excited about right now?
I’m working on a collaboration with Andreas Wannerstedt at the moment, we talked about it for about a year and finally started in January, its taking us a while but looking and sounding great so far! It’s a flash motion piece… intro for funkrush! :)
12. If you could leave readers with one great piece of advice, what would it be?
You need a website, most of my clients contact me through it… make it nice and have some nice portfolio and the work will come to you!
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