Clint English J
oin Quick Wick as we indulge in a digital experience with graphic designer Clint English. In the world of digital art, the man behind the design is like a masked vigilante, you see their work in all mediums of media but the majority of those affected by the colors, shapes and designs used to produce the art, will never know the human being behind it all. You never really appreciate something until you know the purpose and reason behind it. Questions & Design By: Mitchell Reed Cobb Photos: Chris Brennan
After browsing through your website www.ClintEnglish.com, I noticed the intense client list and unrealistic designs that you bring to the table. Quick Wick wants to know, where did it all begin? Did you grow up wanting to design or did it come to you later in your life? I have been into art, drawing, and creating ever since I can remember. I would always be doodling in school from elementary to college, and taking any art classes that were offered. I have always been the creative one. For instance, when I was young, if I couldn't have a certain toy or something that I wanted, I would make it myself out of paper, plastic bottles, household items, and even had a little help from my dad in his wood shop building guitars and drums when I couldn't quite afford those things on my own (or just didn't feel like waiting until Christmas). I actually started taking on commissioned work in 2007, which is when I claim that my business actually started. I began designing super inexpensive (and even free) designs for local bands, and bands that I found on MySpace (ever heard of it? haha). Every now and then I would get a little break for a band that more people have heard of, or a band signed on an indie label, and that just started happening more and more. I gradually started getting more prominent clients and then other bands, labels, and companies started noticing my portfolio. I'd have to say my first "big break" into the music industry was designing the album artwork for The Maine's very first EP on Fearless Records, "The Way We Talk" in 2007. I guess you could say that we both emerged in the music industry at the same time, being that the band formed, and broke out in 2007. Since then, I have done numerous projects for the Maine, including apparel, posters, logos, etc. It definitely took a lot of hard work to get where I am now, and I'm still not where I want to be.
I am absolutely in love with designing, and I work at a very fast pace, so I am always looking for new projects to take on - big or small - no matter who the client may be.
Judging by the looks of your work, the talent is natural. How did you acquire your tricks of the trade? Did you go to school anywhere in Louisiana or was it out of state? Well, thank you! Like I said, art has always been in my blood. There's no doubt about that. My drawings and creativity found their way to the computer sometime in 2004 in Microsoft Paint. That quickly evolved into Photoshop Elements 4.0, and then finally into Photoshop. In 2007, I attended McNeese State University in Lake Charles, LA for two semesters studying Visual Arts. By then, I had already acquired a great understanding of art and the computer.
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