Exclusive Interview with Kevin Nitschmann

1. Kevin, please describe briefly how you found your way into web design.

At my school a bunch of girls sometimes acted depressed because they didn't look like the fashion models on the magazine covers. I explained to them the whole idea behind digital retouch but everyone just nodded and didn't really get what I was saying. So I began to start learning photo manipulation techniques on a really basic level, retouched a couple of photos and at the time where someone they knew (me) was able to pull off stuff they used to see in magazines they started to believe in my words and that changed their way of thinking. I got what I wanted but thought that I might be able to advance my techniques a little further. And I did.

2. How much did your education help you in your career as opposed to the stuff you learned on your own?

I am currently a computer science student at Berlin's Institute of Technology. So when it comes to digital photo manipulation and image processing I'm getting to know the stuff "under the hood" of Photoshop and this sometimes helps me to understand new techniques faster.I do not only know when to use a filter but also why. Other than that I am totally self-taught.

3. Where do the ideas for new photomanipulations come from?

From pretty much everywhere. It's the music I'm listening to, the movies I see, the blogs I visit and the other digital artists I follow. When looking at my style it is easy to see that I am a fan of the aeiko style introduced by Pete Harrison and therefor I am following his work and the inspiration I get from that is reflected in my own works.

4. Why did you decide to become a freelancer?

Working at a company is not yet an option for me. I had to go to school, right after that I was forced to complete my military training and now I am a student. Working freelance gives me the chance to earn a few bucks from time to time. People come to me asking whether there would be time available for a job, I take a quick look at my calendar and when there are no upcoming tests at my University I am in.

5. What are the benefits and disadvantages of freelancing that you've experienced?

A pro and the reason why I am doing it in the first place is that I am my own boss and can choose what I have to work on and when. I can decline requests when there simply is no time, when someone asks me to perform a technique I am uncomfortable with I am referring that client to another artist. Working at a company wouldn't give me that kind of freedom, even though it also holds many advantages. A disadvantage is the whole idea of getting famous. As a one-man company you have to sell yourself, you can't rely on a filled database of clients of the company you are in because you are your own company and you have to get yourself a name in the industry.

6. How do you find new commissions now?

I am approaching this topic in a really passive way. As mentioned before I am a student at first, a digital artist on second thought. Most people come to me saying that a friend mentioned me or they just stumbled across my portfolio on any art network like deviantART, Shadowness or Behance.

7. Do you have a special topic or a subject that inspires you when you start working?

It depends. Sometimes there is an idea of something, I sit down and start searching for stock images, sceneries and effects according to that idea. Sometimes I'm just browsing and see a cool picture e.g. full of motion and power and then I begin to think about effects and how I possibly can enhance this photograph any further.

8. Will you tell us a little about your hobbies?

As everyone might have guessed I am really into digital art. I am interested in the field of 3D abstract artwork and photo manipulation but I am also amazed by traditional drawings. Other than that I am doing sports like jogging by myself on a regular basis, play basketball and also spent time in front of my computer just to play a little.

9. You are so young! Do you have any future career plans?

By studying computer science I have chosen not to be a real professional digital artist, I thought about going to an art school but I simply can't draw a single line with a pencil and there is so much more to art I might never get. So my plans are more computer orientated. How computers work, how to build one, how to program that thing, how to teach robots to walk straight and so on. Will see what the future holds.

10. What advice would you give to beginner web designers?

Steal - not with your hands but with your eyes. Find something you love and try to recreate it. In the process you will find yourself developing your very own style over time. And don't stop working in Photoshop even when you are on a dry spill. Always remember that the artwork other artists showcase is just one of many Photoshop files that got saved as a jpeg and not thrown away. Nobody's perfect but practice will bring us closer to perfection.