What is you creative background (current)?
My ‘creative background’ is as a designer, illustrator and artist. I have been practicing in these areas for 18 years and am currently lecturing at The University of South Australia in the School of Art, Architecture and Design. I am the course coordinator of Illustration Design within the Visual communication program. My business, Ekaada Art & Design which I run with my partner, specialises in Illustration commissions and also undertakes design and art projects.

Visit my lecturer homepage and the course that I teach. My professional work and portfolio can be viewed online at: http://www.ekaada.com.au

What was your creative background (at the time of winning the competition)
As above

Why did you decide to enter the competition?
The Fringe is my favourite Adelaide Festival and I have always dreamed of winning the Fringe Poster competition since I first saw one of the festival posters as a Design student. I can recall the year, 1992, and remember I first saw the poster at Al Fresco Café on Rundle St.

How did you come up with your winning design?
My winning design was developed from an idea that I recorded in my most recent ‘art/idea’ journal.
I completed a series of small thumbnail drawings that explored the idea of the inner voice, a representation of the inner self that is expressive, brash, bold and colourful. I have been doing these types of small figurative thumbnail figures for sometime now, they help me to quickly examine and record an idea.

I thought this particular concept and image would be great as a Fringe poster because the Adelaide Fringe is to me, an expression of Adelaide’s inner self. I see Adelaide as normally quite and reserved, the Fringe is a time when Adelaide comes alive, is expressive and celebrates artistic diversity.

Where did you look for inspiration?
I have kept these ‘art/idea’ journals / visual diaries since finishing my studies in 1992. Artist, Margie Hooper, a teacher of mine had a great influence on me and always encouraged the use of these journals to develop as an artist. The work within my journals is always based on visual ideas, drawing practice and visual experiments which I am doing all of the time. My journals act as a database of ideas and experiments that I can gain inspiration from at anytime.

Had you entered the Adelaide Fringe Poster Competition before?
I have entered the competition about 5-6 times over the past 10 years.

What did winning the Adelaide Fringe Poster Competition do for you/ your career?
Winning the Adelaide Fringe poster has enhanced my profile and reputation as a designer, illustrator and artist within the community. It also helped to inspire some of my illustration students at the University of South Australia by seeing their teacher’s work gain a high level of public recognition.

What was it like to be in Adelaide with the streets plastered in your image?
I was very excited to see the image absolutely everywhere. I found it very intriguing and was delighted to see how well it worked within so many settings, as a poster should. I even took and gathered as many photos of the poster in different settings as I could and started a group on Facebook called, ‘Spot the Adelaide 2009 Fringe Poster’, where anyone can see them. There are even photos of the poster on the Great Wall of China.

Do you have any advice for people entering this year?
Make sure that you have a strong and clear idea of what your poster is depicting and ensure that your design can be extended beyond the poster format. The poster is the catalyst for the Adelaide Fringe event; it becomes the image of the Fringe, which must be conveyed on and through a variety of media, formats and merchandise.

What is your favourite past Adelaide Fringe poster? (not including your own)
My favourite past Adelaide Fringe poster is definitely the 1992 poster.

What is your creative background?
Currently senior graphic designer at Mango Chutney. I also do some design and web stuff freelance.

What was your creative background (at the time of winning the competition)?
Graphic designer at Mango Chutney.

Why did you decide to enter the competition?
I think my Dad reminded me it was coming up. I had been doing a lot of commercial work at the time and thought this would be a real creative outlet to do whatever I wanted. It wasn’t so much about trying to win a competition but was more about me coming up with something that was fun to make, let me experiment with some different techniques and that ultimately I was happy with.

How did you come up with your winning design?
I went through the usual design process – I read the brief many times. For 2007 the brief also included a song component so I listened to that repeatedly. I find a lot of inspiration in music and this helped me get a feeling for the tone I wanted to set for the poster. Then I did a bit of research about the Fringe and how it connects with Adelaide. I think I came up with the actual concept of ‘pigs might fly’ while I was in the shower, which I find is a great place for coming up with ideas.

The actual artwork took me a weekend to make but Id probably spent a good 3-4 weeks before hand thinking about it, sketching ideas and taking photos.

Where did you look for inspiration?
I find inspiration all over the place, often its something random I see when Im out. I also find books, blogs, art, magazines, music, architecture, nature and working with other designers inspiring too.

Had you entered the Adelaide Fringe Poster Competition before?
No, this was the first time I had entered the competition (maybe it was beginners luck).

What did winning the Adelaide Fringe Poster Competition do for you/ your career?
It was a real confidence boost for me. I had put a lot of myself in my poster and having it being chosen really validated what I do and what I am capable of.

Career wise its given me some credibility. Its also introduced me to the wonderful people at the Fringe who get me to work on their website and other bits and pieces.

I’m always surprised how well people remember the past Fringe posters. I dont think many other events in Adelaide have such a lasting impression as the Fringe.

It also looks great in my portfolio.

What was it like to be in Adelaide with the streets plastered in your image?
It was surreal seeing this image that I’d created probably six moths before suddenly pop up everywhere at once. I remember seeing the TV ad for the first time and thinking “Hey, I did that!” It was quite a buzz.

Do you have any advice for people entering this year?
I think coming up with a strong idea is the most important thing. And be bold!

What is your favourite past Adelaide Fringe poster? (not including your own)
I really liked the 2009 Fringe Poster. I thought the orange really stood out and the texture and quality of the illustration captured what the Fringe is all about. Its was also translated well to the website.

URL
www.mangochutney.com.au