RAW Magazine Issue 10:
Nick de Jardine
http://grafik.co.nz
Q: Where do you live?
Nick de Jardine: Wellington, New Zealand. I have a studio in the city, and a house in the suburbs. Although I am finding that physical location does not matter at all these days.
Q: What brought you into web design?
Nick de Jardine: I was lucky enough to be born when the WWW was not around, and even luckier to be able to make my first website back in 1996 for a school project — I was 16 at the time. Everything was centered, everything was moving (gifs), and everything was un-styled. I later went on to study Information Systems and Multimedia at University from 1999 — 2002. After my first taster, the internet became my spirit animal.
Q: Who are/were your idols at this time?
Nick de Jardine: During the late 90’s Flash was where all the innovation was. There was a lot of nice things being made as people discovered the medium, but one website that stands out is ‘Donnie Darko’ by Hi-Res. That thing was, and still is art.
Q: What does your typical day look like?
Nick de Jardine: I make my own schedule around my project obligations, so the schedule is constantly changing. For example, this month I have a lot of USA based work, so I work hours to more or less accommodate the timezone, making sure I am available during sane hours for both parties.
Q: What kind of music are you listening to during work?
Nick de Jardine: At the moment on heavy rotation is ’Deep Breakfast’ by Ray Lynch. I love the idea that middle class M & D’s felt WOKE listening to this in the 80’s.
Q: What tools are you using when designing/developing?
Nick de Jardine: My preferred method is to design everything in the browser. I’m perplexed at the thought of a website designer that doesn’t or can’t touch the code — a picture maker. I try to keep it simple, Pencil, Paper, Editor, Browser.
Q: What does your work-process look like?
Nick de Jardine: I have no process, I can of course fit into a process where applicable or if I am paid to do so. I strongly believe that process kills creativity.
Q: Your best piece of work?
Nick de Jardine: I’m not really a person that does favourites. As long as I am constantly learning and evolving I am happy.
Q: Your worst piece of work?
Nick de Jardine: http://grafik.nz