Finland Graphic Designer and Illustrator Olli-Pekka Jauhiainen. Speaks Out.

We’d like to let you know about people we think are doing great work. And with this purpose we continue the interview series. So, now, dear friends, please meet a 26 year old graphic designer and illustrator from Finland - Olli-Pekka Jauhiainen! He is currently living in Helsinki and finishing his studies at the TAMK University of Applied Science, where he specializes in Digital Media. Among his works we may find surreal photomanipulations, 3D experiments and illustrations. They all excel in both creativity/originality and technical execution. Olli-Pekka plays with metaphors and symbols, putting strong ideas and original concepts into his works. You might have seen some of his works on the pages of our blog, where we have used his creations more than once.

 

Moreover, Olli-Pekka has good experience in website design and coding (HTML/CSS/PHP & Flash) and creates beautiful websites, examples of which are also presented here. Visit Olli-Pekka Jauhiainen’s website to read more about him.

Now, let’s go to the interview.

 

“It wasn’t me” by Olli-Pekka Jauhiainen.
Photomanipulation/Illustration made for Evokeone online art exhibition called ‘Evoke II’.

 

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Tell our readers about yourself, your background and education. Was there a turning-point in your life when you decided to cast your lot with computer graphics?

 

I’m a 26 years old male from Helsinki, Finland. I’m finishing my studies in Tampere University of Applied Science where I’m spelializing in Digital Media. I used to draw a lot when I was at the age of 10-15 but then hobbies, girls etc., the usual, took me away from it. But luckily after my military service at the age of 22, I got accepted to my current school and I was introduced to Photoshop. So I guess I could say that was the turning-point towards the computer graphics world. Even though my school isn’t really teaching computer graphics, (it is more about web coding or interactive media like Flash) the reason why I started learning Photoshop was the school. The needed inspiration came from there.

 

 

“Unique” by Olli-Pekka Jauhiainen.
Photomanipulation/3D/Illustration work made for Evokeone online art exhibition called ‘Evoke II’.

 

You are the first designer from Finland being interviewed by us. How do you estimate the impact of CG development in Finland? How popular is it? And what perspectives are waiting for Finnish artists, in your opinion?

 

First of all, it’s an honour to be the first Finnish designer being interviewed by you. I think the development in CG in Finland hasn’t been that fast as it is in bigger countries, but this year we get our first fully 3D animated movie, which is at the same time the most expensive movie ever made in Finland. People are more aware of possibilities of CG so I think the interest towards CG is rising fast. Art schools are harder and harder to get in because of so many applicants and there are few schools just concentrating on digital graphics founded in the past couple years etc. So I believe it’s very popular especially among the youngsters who has grown up in the middle of this so called internet revolution. I really do think there will be lots of upcoming Finnish artists who will amaze the crowd with their skills in the future.

 

“Do not cross this line” by Olli-Pekka Jauhiainen.
Illustration made for Evokeone online exhibition called ‘Unity’.

 

As everyone knows, you have good experience in website design. How long have you been designing websites?

 

I made my first website layout for the school course where we learned the basics of HTML coding. It was during my first year in school, so I guess it’s 4 years now. But I’ve always been more into print design than web layouts, so it’s still kinda new thing for me. Although nowadays I find myself making more and more website layouts.

 

Kuntoutumiskeskus Apila by Olli-Pekka Jauhiainen.
Website design for one of his school projects.

 

What is the most important thing when you are starting a new project?

 

For me it’s definitely the concept, the idea. I mean I don’t make sketches that often but I need to have a clear vision of what I’m going to do before actually starting anything. Of course usually the concept refines during the making process, but the base elements etc. stays.

 

Do you usually stick to some personal rules and follow a daily routine while working?

 

At the moment I’m working as a full time freelancer so it gives me the freedom to work when it best suits me. I don’t really have any particular rules or routines to follow but usually I try to work on normal office hours, but then lately I have found myself working at nightime. I like working at nights because of the silence, there’s no disturbing factors.

 

Guardians of Revolution by Olli-Pekka Jauhiainen.
Photomanipulation made for Evokeone online exhibition called ‘Revolution’. Featured at Advanced Photoshop Magazine issue 44.

 

What helps you stay creative and be in touch with the situation in the world of computer graphics?

 

I belong to some artgroups (Evokeone and Slashthree) which publishes online exhibitions every 2-3 months so unless I’m doing client projects, I’m contributing to them. And of course I read graphics related magazines, books and different forums quite often to keep me updated on what’s happening in the industry.

 

What do you think about traditional art? Is it necessary, in your opinion, to have some skills before starting to work with digital art?

 

I love traditional art but I don’t think it’s necessary to have experience, for example in drawing, before starting with digital arts. It is sure that having skills in traditional arts really helps in moving to digital arts, but it’s not necessity. I think there are so many different things and styles which requires more visual eye than drawing skills.

 

As I have noticed, your favorite style of art is surreal photomanipulation. What has caused this interest?

 

I’m not sure, surreal as a style, has always interested me. I also like abstract and realism, but surreal is kind of style between those two. There’s more idea behind the surreal art than abstract but still you can also add abstract elements to your works. Of course I can’t say well known artists such as Salvador Dali hasn’t inspired me. I love mixing the fantasy and the reality, you don’t really have any boundaries, you can just make whatever comes to your mind. I love seeing pictures which makes you think, “it looks real but it can’t be”.

 

“Chain Reaction” by Olli-Pekka Jauhiainen.
Personal abstract 3D experiment.

 

Could you please provide a brief run down of how you create a photomanipulation outlining the most common elements/techniques involved in its production?

 

I usually start with finding some stocks which could fit to the purpose. After finding them I cut them off from their background with pen tool or using channels in Photoshop. Once I’m done with it I make the basic composition. At this point I usually experiment quite much with different things and see which one of them looks the best to me. After having the basic elements in the canvas I start working with the lightning so that every stock looks like they belong into the picture. For the lightning I usually use dodge/burn tools or gradients on different blending modes. Once the lights and shadows looks good I add more stocks, paint some details or fix some flaws. Usually I think of good background before starting, but sometimes the background is the last thing I add. After finding the background which satisfies me I make sure the rest fits with it. Then finally I make some color corrections with adjustments layers and blur/sharpen the spots where it’s needed.

 

What piece of advice would you give to those who are just starting out their design career?

 

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying “Practice makes perfect”. Well, if it’s not gonna make you perfect, it, for sure, will make you better. Remember, most of all, have fun doing the things you do!

 

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Thanks, Olli-Pekka for a great interview. We wish you success and prosperity. Cheers!

 

 

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This entry was posted on Friday, October 17th, 2008 at 5:37 amand is filed under Illustrations and Art, interviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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