Vlad Gerasimov is a multi-talented artist based in Irkutsk, Russia. Some of his digital artworks, including desktop wallpapers, icons, logos, and website graphics, are available at vladstudio.com and orangeicons.com. Vlad is one of the few graphic artists I have encountered who bring a new dimension and a fresh perspective to the world of digital illustration. Too often, computer-generated designs are one-dimensional, lifeless, and stale — the edges are too straight, the shadows are not believable, the colors look flat, and the characters have no personality, but when you gaze into Vlad’s designs, you feel like a child lost in some exotic wonderland, looking through the hourglass. Although the characters in Vlad’s illustrations are cartoons, often represented by shapes and lines, they are no less expressive than a photorealistic rendering of a face, and their personalities, hopes, whims, and emotions are right there in front of you. His characters are multidimensional, creative, engaging, and contemplative, and his elaborate backgrounds are intricate with vivid details and textures. As we find ourselves becoming increasingly dependent on computers for our work, daily tasks, and communication, each one of us can probably identify with the Blogger depicted in Vlad’s recent wallpaper. It’s precisely at these moments when you just can’t seem to find the words to express how you feel, when you feel alienated and alone in the office space, or when you wish you were in a different world, you can look to Vlad’s artwork to brighten your darkened corner with an optimist sense of humor and to liberate your imagination in a land as far away as the sunflower fields of Spain because his pictures are worth a thousand words and more.

Vlad: First of all, thank you very much for interviewing. It is very rarely I am being interviewed, so it’s an honor for me.

Mikki: You are most welcome, Vlad. It’s always a pleasure to interview artists, especially the quiet and pensive ones. :-) And thank you for sharing your artwork.

Have you always been an artist? Before you had a computer, what kind of drawings or artwork did you do?

I did not perceive myself as artist until probably 4 years ago. I started as “skins” (software interfaces) designer, and long after that began publishing arts that I did for fun.

What was your very first computer?

The first one that I owned was usual PC with unusually big (for me at that time) 17” screen. The first one that I saw was that pre-historic computer with paper tapes in early 90-s. My father and older brother are programmers, so I was involved into computer industry early (mostly playing monochrome games).

How did you get into graphic design?

I’d say by coincidence. I was studying economics at university and was preparing to become an economist (although with some art sketches in my writing books). My brother Jury (see details below) needed someone to design “skins” for various programs, so I had to learn Photoshop as fast as possible. Then I designed skins for several years, then I learned web design and HTML, and only after that my art sketches moved from pen and writing books into Photoshop.

How did you acquire all the software & computer language skills? Did you learn it at school, or was it mostly self-taught?

100% self-taught. It was not difficult - computers and programmers were all around me.

Do you have other artistic outlets & talents, like writing and music?

I did compose and arrange music until maybe 2000. We used to have a very nice 2-people band. I also graduated music school as pianist. It helps me type fast on computer keyboard now :-)

Some of my favorite wallpapers are the ones with the characters and various abstract designs. How did the characters evolve or come into being? Are they based on real people in life?

No, not at all. Simply ideas.

What is the creative process involved in designing a wallpaper? Do you start with sketches and drawings on paper?

Very rarely. Mostly I open Photoshop and make sketch with small hard brush directly in Photoshop.

I love the detailed textures, shadows, and subtle variations in your wallpapers. How do you create such detailed textures and subtleties?  

See a lot of tutorials I published on my website :-) There are some techniques that I like as I think they look exactly how I want artwork to look. They all are in the tutorials.

How long does it take to design a wallpaper?

Different for each one :-) Usually several hours. Maybe one day I will be able to spend days and weeks on each wallpaper, turning it into detailed masterpiece! I work as graphics designer and web developer so I am always in rush state, which does not let me spend too much on one artwork.

Many of your designs look like they belong in some children’s book or animation film. They are both imaginative and philosophical. Where do you the get inspiration for those designs?

Hard to say really. Sometimes I see something in an art shop, sometimes find something in internet that inspires me to think and imagine.

Have you ever thought about writing or illustrating a children’s book?

Illustrating - sure that would be so cool to do it some day. No offers yet :-) Writing - nope, that is not something I am good at.

On average, how many hours do you spend in front of the computer in a day?

Too many! I have lots of job to do. I am located in Russia while most of my clients are in USA (about 12 hours difference), so I developed a habit to work until 3AM and then sleep until midday. Most of the rest of the day I am working.

So far, I think my favorite designs include Above the Clouds, Don Quijote, and Blogger. Which one is your favorite?

Most often, the most recent wallpaper is my favorite!

I find it interesting that many of your designs, despite their innocent, nostalgic, and somewhat childlike views, have much deeper philosophical meanings. Why do you choose to portray the world through the eyes of a child? Does it make it easier to see or accept the world through the eyes of the child?

I do not do that intentionally. Maybe because I still have such eyes. It is the way I prefer to send messages to the world.

Which wallpaper do you have on your computer right now?

Right now – the most recent, Blogger. I always keep the latest wallpaper on my desktop several days before publishing it. That way, I evaluate it in long-term and may change colors, etc if it becomes annoying.

Could you briefly describe your computer setup? Mac or PC?

I am a happy switcher to Mac - I bought 15” MacBook Pro couple of months ago. Previous computer was Asus W1 notebook, not bad at all. But Mac is uncomparable. There are a lot of blogs around describing how Mac is so much better. But you need to experience it to understand.

You are a chief designer at softshape.com. Please tell me a bit more about Softshape and some of the projects that you are working on currently.

A bit of confusion here - probably because my primary email is not from vladstudio domain. I do work individually, and Vladstudio is my home-based business with one worker - me. Softshape is the team of programmers, founded by my brother Jury who is one of the first “shareware” (independent software developers) in Russia. His top program is Chameleon Clock - http://www.softshape.com/software/desktop/chamclock/features/

How big is the Softshape team?

Hard to count :-) because it also includes Softidentity team - designers spread around Russia.

What is like having your brother as the boss?

He is the founder, but I only work for myself. Actually, that is the main reason he turned to shareware programming - to have no boss. This is also something that I enjoy very much too - I have no boss (though I have a lot of clients, so you may say I have a lot of bosses instead :-)

You mentioned that you come from a family of many talents. Would you please elaborate on that a bit more?

I have a brother who’s really good programmer (see above) and a sister who used to be one of best Flamenco dancers here in Irkutsk (she lives in Madrid now).

Blue seems to be the predominant color in your designs. Is that your favorite color?

Well, yes maybe I could tell so. I just like how computer screen shows it.

Some people have commented that many of your designs are pessimistic. Do you consider yourself a pessimist?

Hmmm, I prefer to think of myself as an optimist :-) If I get into depression, I try to get rid of it by turning it into artwork. So, depression can be seen as one of sources of inspiration for me.

You have a design called Lonely Planet. Does it reflect how you feel about the world in general?

No, not really. I did not mean the earth. I simply wanted to show a planet with one citizen. (without any associations, not even with “little prince” by Antoine de Saint-Exupery :-)

Do you think computers alienate people and hence make them feel lonelier than otherwise?

Well, yes, but only as much as any “individual” (single-person) labor does. I mean it basically does not matter if you’re alone working on computer or painting in your workplace, or writing in your library, or whatever. You are as alone as you want to be, and PC is no excuse. Also, I am not a big fan of chats/forums, except when I talk to clients of course. On the other hand, due to computers/internet I have so many wonderful friends in USA, Japan, and Europe. I would probably feel lonelier without computers :-)

What do you envision yourself doing 10 years from now?

Currently, I do web design/development for job, and wallpapers for fun. It would be cool to do wallpapers for job and web design for fun.

If you were not a graphic designer/artist, what other occupation would you have?

I always felt very comfortable about being inside rock band. I don’t mean being front man or guitarist, but the process of creating music (good, honest music of course) is so magical. If I were not into graphics, I think I’d love to be in arrangement team of Sting, or Coldplay, or ... long list here...

Do you still have Bob the cat?

Yes!

Do you play many games on the computer? If so, which one is your favorite?

No, not at all. The only game I used to play hard was Colin McRae Rally (sports cars is my another passion)

What kind of music do you like?

Honest. You’d be horrified how bad pop-music is in Russia. Some of my faves: Tom Waits, Sting, Coldplay, The Feeling, Cesaria Evora, Corneille, Jamiroquai, Olivia Ruiz, etc.

Russia is known for its samovars. Are you a heavy tea drinker?

Oh yes. I usually drink 5-7 tea cups a day.

How do you take your tea? I am more familiar with Chinese, Japanese, and English teas, but what kind of tea do Siberians like?

We do not have special ceremonies here, we just drink it. Think of tea in Russia as coffee in Europe. I like it with lemon though.

Favorite food/dish?

Anything delicious :-)

Favorite movie?

Hmmm…Sponge Bob Square Pants? Also, it’s a bit old but I digg Shrek 2 very much!

Favorite artist?

Vladislav Yerko - example http://fyama.livejournal.com/232818.html

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working on your computer?

Traveling around the world. We spend most earnings in Europe.

Hey, your birthday was on January 10th. Happy Belated Birthday!

Thank you very much!

Thank you very much for the interview!

You’re very welcome!

Vladstudio.com

orangeicons.com