Hey there peeps!

My name is Laura, but I'm probably rather known as "ukiy0h". Well, in case you know me at all haha!

I gathered my courage, entered the Graphic Wattys this year and actually managed to win in the category "new talent". Still can't quite understand how, but I definitely feel honored!

So, today I'd like to introduce myself a little further to you through a selfmade "interview" and provide you with a speed cover/tutorial. At the end of the chapter you'll also be able to place an in-line comment for a little Q&A, you can ask as many questions as you'd like to!

I'd say we start with the interview!

Q: Is there anything or anyone that specifically encouraged you to start with graphic design?

A: Not really a specific person, no. I originally started Wattpad with the goal to write my own book. And I obviously needed a cover for it.

But most designers only do covers for already published books and often mention that it even needs to have a specific amount of chapters already. Which I totally understand, I stick to that rule/requirement as well! But out of hundreds of ideas only one or two of mine actually got the chance to see life outside the Wattpad drafts section. Even if it only was for a short amount of time.

So - regarding that - I was forced to create my own covers. And of course I was quite bad at designing graphics in the beginning. I mean, no one ever starts off perfect. So I kept practicing, until I would've been able to satisfy myself with my creations (still not there though, but we're getting closer). And I guess at some point I was confident enough to share some through portfolios, as well as starting a shop. And well, here I am now.

Q: What program/device did you start with, what are you currently using and what would you like to try out in the future?

A: I used PicsArt on my phone for the longest amount of time. Next to Photoshop it's probably the most popular program/app. But at some point I discovered a secret weapon, Procreate. I'm using the iPad version and I'm absolutely in love with it.

What I'd like to try out in the future is probably the Photoshop Version for the iPad. But at the moment I can't afford it. And to be honest, Procreate kind of works similar to Photoshop - and it's way cheaper. Sadly it's only available for Apple's iPads and iPhones.

Q: What do you think is so fascinating/catching about graphic design?

A: It's the "visualization of emotions and unspoken words" for me.

I have the most respect for people, who are able to create their own worlds through words and capture their readers inside them. Playing with their minds and hearts through plot twists, ingeniously crafted characters and plots in general.

But some people - like me - aren't good with words. We may have "story ideas" as well, maybe even with some actual potential. And it's no big deal to create this little cinema worthy movie in our heads. But we just can't put the pictures into words. We're having a difficult time trying to write down what we feel or see, what our characters feel and see. So we try to paint it down instead.

And in addition to that, I think it's just fascinating in general to create a whole new world by yourself. Playing God in some way. Whether it's through words or pictures.

Q: Something you're the most and least comfortable with, while designing graphics?

A: I hate anything regarding typography or adding text parts in general. I don't know why, but it's so so difficult for me. I never know where to put the text, how to make the text look in general, what effects or colors to use. I know I'll have to put text onto the graphic at some point - most of the time. But as soon as I actually start designing the graphic I forget about it. I don't pay attention to leaving some space for possible text somewhere. I don't incorporate the text into the idea/sketch I have of it in my mind, until everything is finished and I've reached the part where I have to include the text. And then I'm there like "well... fuck." So that's probably still the most uncomfortable part about designing graphics - for me. But I'm forcing myself to get out of my comfort zone, to try out more typography styles and different ways to incorporate text in general.

The most comfortable part would be the color corrections I guess. Don't get me wrong, sometimes it can take hours to find the right effect and colorings and all that. It can be really frustrating, especially if it's a request where preferred colors have been mentioned. But somehow you'll always find something that fits the graphic in the end. And colorings can work real magic on graphics, it's insane.

Q: If you could only make one type of graphic style for the rest for your life, what would it be and why?

A: Dark, manipulated graphics. Anything regarding genres like (dark) fantasy or horror. Maybe some romance every then and now. But it would have to be some dark/dramatic and sad kind of romance haha!

I feel more comfortable with creating dark graphics. You can easily hide mistakes (which leads to me being more calm about making mistakes and not act like it's the end of the world), while bright graphics on the other hand literally expose everything. And with graphics that lean towards genres like fantasy, there are so many options (and barely any borders) to practice your skills and creativity. I mean, I try to keep my graphics somewhere near looking realistic, but I also love to try out stuff that would normally make no sense.

Q: What are some pet peeves of your requesters?

A: Ohhhh there are so many haha!

1.Either being way too specific with special details or preferred things. Or being too lazy to mention some ideas at all and just giving me a "I'll leave it up to your imagination". It probably is meant to be a compliment or whatever and I understand how difficult it can be to have an exact idea in mind and to put it into words. But it really isn't helpful at all. It's not like I'm creating a pre-made that we can form a fitting story plot for. There already is an existing and actual story plot and I need informations to make the graphic fit that plot. Otherwise I might end up doing one (or in the worst case: multiple) completely wrong/unfitting graphics. And that's just a waste of my time and effort.

2.Another one would be not following the request form I provided them with and making up their own instead.

3.And my "favorite" one: just not caring enough to read through and following the rules and requirements. Forgetting passwords, requesting (multiple times, over and over again) while the shop was closed, requesting for stuff I don't even do, acting like VIPs, requesting for books that don't fulfill the requirements or trying to convince me to just make them a cover because they will "publish the book real soon and everything is already prepared so technically the book does fulfill the requirements, they just don't want to publish it without a proper cover" and stuff like that. I know those dry chapters with rules and all aren't fun to read. But they exist for a reason and I would really appreciate it, if people could respect that.

Q: Most difficult request you've received (and remember)?

A: There isn't a specific request I remember. But I genuinely have a difficult time working on requests with multiple face-claims. I mean, up to two are fine most of the time (not always tho, I prefer using only one face-claim). But everything above that amount really gives me a lot of mental breakdowns.

I'm also not very familiar with object or text based graphics yet. I want to try out more of those, but it's still new terrain to me haha! So I'd say they are more difficult to work with than requests for "normal" model based graphics.

Q: How has your editing style changed over the time? (preferred colors, style, fonts, effects, and all that) Any drastic changes maybe?

A: Hmm, I went from "just mixing different pictures together and slapping a title on it" to "actually creating my own resources, manipulating stuff and maybe even drawing some details myself".

When switching from PicsArt to Procreate I made some "major progress" in my opinion. I mean it's obviously easier to make faster/bigger improvements with programs or apps that offer you more features. Though nowadays it feels more like "making a step forward and three backwards, another step forward and two more backwards, suddenly out of nowhere making seven steps forward and improving a little, just to make twenty steps backwards again". It's confusing and kinda feels like a creativity block(?) is creeping up, but hey.. sometimes really cool stuff is being birthed in between those mental breakdowns!

Q: Did you encounter any plagiarism of your work during your time as a designer? If so, how did you deal with it?

A: Yes. Just recently actually. How did I deal with it? I talked about it with some friends (who happen to be graphic designers as well) to make sure I'm not just overreacting and imagining things. One of them was kind enough to report the person to the #stoparttheft community on discord. I also reached out to the person, to give her an opportunity to explain the situation. Again, to avoid misunderstandings. But they made up weird explanations and even blamed their best friend for recreating my graphics/editing style.

It kept irritating me, so I wrote a chapter about plagiarism in my portfolio. I blurred out her name from the examples/evidence overview and generally kept it as "anonymously" as possible, to protect her from any hate. Because that was definitely not my intention! I just hoped that when I would openly talk about the situation, it would make her understand and realize what she had done. And that it would prevent her from doing such things again.

But even though this situation is in control of the #stoparttheft community now, I sometimes recognize how it's still kind of bothering me. When someone treats me wrong, I have this urge to receive "justice". Most of the time karma takes care of it, even if it's years later. Or I take actual legal steps to clarify the situation. But this time I feel "unsatisfied". As if this incident has been pushed aside and silenced - which is not the case. I guess it's just because I've never experienced something like that before. Because in the end, plagiarism sadly is something really common. Whether it's in the art/design community, music or movie industry and just literally everywhere. Everyone has to deal with it at some point in some way.

Q: Before we end this interview, here's some "advice" for any new designers!

A: Keep practicing, try out new stuff and have the courage to step out of your comfort zone every then and now.

"Failed" graphics will always be frustrating. Even if the graphic itself turned out amazing, there's nothing more frustrating than not being able to bring the idea you (originally) had in mind to life. I know that. No matter how much you tell yourself to just see it as some kind of practice. But because of that, any kind of progress - no matter how small or big - will feel much more motivating! Keep that in mind.

Alright, let's get to the speed cover/tutorial I've talked about earlier!

https://youtu.be/2u3g0k88VS4

And last but not least, the Q&A! Feel free to comment down any question that comes to your mind. Literally anything I could help you out with.

| PLACE YOUR COMMENT HERE |

MY SOCIAL MEDIA
Instagram: @ukiy0h
https://instagram.com/ukiy0h?igshid=2bknxn0uda2k

Wattpad: ukiy0h

Deviantart: @ukiy0h

https://www.deviantart.com/ukiy0h

YouTube: ukiy0h

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCssJrFIyxS2BWNkak9cs6Dg

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ukiy0h is the Graphic Wattys Winner 2020 of Guild-judged New Talent. They're giving away 2 custom icons and 2 custom manipulations/poster-like edits. To enter, click on the external link, the comments section, or enter this into your browser: https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/760deb2f1/?