Hello everybody !!!
How are you all ? So here we go again for another Interview this one being amaziing as there is loads to read, contains loads of tips of someone we all know.
He has been ruling over the Wallpaper section of DA, he owns his own studio in Indio where again he is the BOSS
It's the one and only ...

So have a great fun reading and here we go !

What is your name ?
My name is Archan Nair, aka archanN , as most people know me in the virtual world.

What is your Alias, why you chose it ?
Well, my alias is archanN, and it started when i Joined deviantart back in 2006. I could not think of anything else except taking my first name, and the first letter of my last name. simple and lame!

Could you tell us a bit about yourself ?
I am a 25 year old, self developed artist , multi-disciplinary designer and illustrator, Based out of New Delhi, India, I am also the co-founder and creative head of a design and art agency, Cropped Circles. Specializing in Art Direction, Illustration, and Digital Art, some of my clients include Pepsi, Tiger Beer, GQ etc. and I have been featured in publications like Advanced Photoshop, Juxtapoz, Vanity Fair, and have been featured by Music Artists like Kanye West and more. I'm also a fashion design graduate and before starting with my design agency I was into my family run fashion business.



When did you getting into art and why ?
Well, I come from an entirely different industry which is Fashion. As a family business I was running an apparel manufacturing and export industry since I was 18 years. I always had the creative stint in my since childhood days, but I guess I never discovered it properly. In February 2006, I joined a very famous design and art community called DeviantART. At that time, I signed up as a member to upload desktop screenshots as I was heavily into windows customization. Later in a few months, I became friends with a 14 year old windows skinner from the US. In July, 2006, he gave me a wallpaper he had made to play around and remix. I had just very little knowledge of Photoshop at that time, and I just played around with some layers here and there, and in 5 minutes remixed the wallpaper and uploaded it to deviantART. I got a great response, with members and people from all around the world appreciating my artwork. I got a real high from that, and that’s how I kicked off into Digital Art and Illustration. There has been no stopping from that day. Infact, Art has now become my life and passion, and I quit my family business for my love of arts and design.

What was the first medium of art you used ?
when I must of been a kid, it started with crayons, drawing on walls of my house and getting scolded by my parents. Then I also used oil and watercolour methods of traditional art when I was young. Since our school was very much into extra ciricular activities, I also did other forms of crafts such as wax modelling, and more. But at that point, it was never of severe interest. So yeah, traditional is the root of any art form. But, I lost touch with these forms later, and used to doodle a lot behind my text books and notepads etc. Later when the digital arena came back I started a bit with paint shop pro, that must have been a decade back for a few months, and then back in 2006 it started all over again as I mentioned before.

Have you done any previous studies before getting yourself into Graphic Designing ?
Well I never went to any digital design college, school or university. Since I was in the fashion industry, Im a Fashion Design and Garment Technologist Graduate. But our school always emphasized on extra curricular activities like traditional art and its various forms, which I never took seriously at that time. Later when I started Digital Art and Design, I realized that there was no need for me to do any formal education in this field. I don’t believe in education of design and arts actually (although I know a lot of people wont agree with me or I might be wrong). But I personally feel that design or art education restricts a person, or just takes him into a particular fixed direction. Ive seen a lot of designers or artists, following rules! But I feel, that if a person has the creative talent inside him, he should relax his brains, and let all his thoughts, feelings out on the canvas. Creativity cannot be taught, it can only be discovered, and the process of discovering is just endless. Yes one needs a lot of practice, dedication, passion and love to go the level and step further and every new image makes you better with the composition, colouring, focus and detailing. So yeah, Im completely Self Taught!

How does it feel having big responsibilties such as "Gallery Director" ?
Well, more than the responsibility, I would say it has been a truly magnificent moment for me, as my passion and love to serve this wonderful community and being associated with such wonderful people, the staff, the members and making friends around the world. the best part is getting to share, create, expose and motivate artists. Learn and make everyone aware of such talents which reside in all corners of the community, interact and share knowledge. I think being in this position which I feel I do not deserve as much, I surely try to the best of my abilities try to balance all vital roles of what an art lover, a community lover and an artist would expect from me. It has been a great honour to be associated so closely with deviantART, as this has been the place which made me discover the little talent I have today and motivate me to pursue my passion, and being a part of the community relations team I surely give out my 500% to do that tiny bit of what the community has given me in return.

Do you think, you would change that spot for anything else ?
I don't know, never thought about it actually. I'm quite satisfied and loving each moment



When picking up some wallpapers for DD "Daily Deviation" what do you usually look out for ?
Well, the only thing that i look out for is a HI Quality Artwork, which can be a great wallpaper. Within the minimum requirements of the wallpaper resolutions and the last DD featured is atleast 3 months old. I do not consider the popularity or genre of the wallpaper as I feel a popular or not so popular artist, both needs equal exposure. Like most people would not know of a gorgeous wallpaper hiding in a popular deviants gallery, hence it is important to expose everyone

How is the DA team, are you all getting along nicely ?
I have been in the team for a long time now. Everyone is so friendly, caring, helpful, supportive and energitic. They are all awe-inspiring and have so much love and deciation for the community, its truly astonishing to see.

How long does it take you to get into the feel of creating something new and stunning ?
Well, 2008 has been great in terms of creativity. Ive been constantly creating. commercial and personal and other projects as well depends on the final output , but i work on an artwork from anything like 20-40 hours max, sometimes less sometimes more.

What style would mostly suit you ? Because you do adventure in many things and come back with something strange ?
*giggles* Well, the problem is I don't have a style in particular, I love experimenting, getting inspired and trying out new things Just loving the entire process of creating something new !

Do you plan your images before doing them, or make them up on the spot ?
during my earlier days it was more of on the spot, but now its more of conceptualizing a theme. and then going ahead with the artwork.

Who will be your favourite artist at this moment ?
its very difficult to mention favourite artists,but I love Kuksi's art a lot he is insane! Jerico Santander and Matei Apostelescu are also my fav artists.


How do you respond to change in trends in this designing world ?
Well, change and innovation is something which drives our world whether it is technology, evolution,thinking, or for that matter design trends, so I guess it is a good thing for a progressive culture.

So where is your working place, in an office at home ? Once you're finished with your pieces where would you post them ?
I work in my studio, it's peaceful and calm, something that every designer needs . Once I finish my work I usually put it up on my DA, but I'm soon getting a website (currently under construction) so that will be the new place to look out for, if you want to see my work !

What software do you use and What is your favourite tool ?
I mostly use Photoshop, sometimes Illustrator. My favourite depends on what I try to create, so don't really have a personal "favourite".

What would be your casual routine like ?
A casual normal day routine means spending most of the time in the studio. I normally reach by 10 in the morning, and can be there will 3 or maybe 4 am. Days usually go by meeting clients, commercial projects, taxations etc etc. and nights I normally get along with personal artworks etc. I love dining outside and trying out cuisines, I quite like shopping for myself so I do those during the weekends. I love watching good Indian cinema, and dont like sleeping much. Well thats my normal boring day I guess.



Do you get loads of support from friends or relatives ?
Well initially, my friends and family never understood what I was talking about when I planned to get into design and art professionally. They were not so impressed, as they felt Im leaving my well established fashion business and starting something new. But as they saw me progressing, my works, and as they saw me getting exposure into big publications and hearing my name more, seeing me involved in different projects and seeing my passion, they have now been really really supportive. I really feel blessed!

What are your other hobbies, when you're not designing ?
I love trying out different cuisines, I like hitting my small personal gym, watching discovery travel and living, going for the movies, and pretty much thats it when Im not designing or creating anything.

What is your utimate goal in Art & Illustration ?
Well, I never make any long terms goals, as I dont believe in them practically. I think the way life is so fast paced, one can expect anything anyday. But my current goals are to excel my skills and knowledge, as I feel Im not at all good in what I do. I need to get into a level where I am completely satisfied and create my visions more accurately, whether professionally or personally. So yes, at the moment it is more of learning and exploring. and once I feel quite satisfied with that, then I shall make my next set of goals

Where does your Inspiration source come from ?
Anything or Everything can inspire me. Whether it is the surroundings, art, and culture, or maybe noticing something while driving. But mostly Im inspired by emotions and feelings, or moments in my life or someone close I have seen which leaves an impact for me to think about.

What would your top 5 tips be for anyone that is starting to Design?
I would just like to say, be passionate, be focused and positive, be original, and practice hard!

What do you think of today's Designing levels and amount of work ?
I really feel that the younger generation is so talented. With the help of technology and tools, we have really achieved astonishing results. Works which just cannot think of. Just goes to show we are progressing really well. Whether it is motion, illustration or any form of art. What we could just think of and not even be close to a couple of years back, is now primitive. True hardcore talented skilled artists and designers now achieve the impossible. Just goes to show, how fast we have been progressing. Infact there has been a raising amount of awareness and recognition for the importance of how digital and traditional media and art among various industries. Agencies, brands, galleries, books, contests, movies, Visual Fx... they all have been really encouraging new media, old media and various forms of talent , design and art.

What type of music do you listen to ?
Well, I listen to all kinds of music, from alternative to bollywood, to classical, to sufi. I just like the music to have some soul, rhyth; and energy !

What is your gear like ?
I work on an Imac 2.8, 4 GB ram. I have a wacom tablet ( graphire ) at the moment.

If there was another software you would like to master, which one would it be ?
I have always been interested in 3D and motion graphics. so 3Dsmax and after effects for sure. but let me master photoshop first



Your popularity over DA has increased, were you expecting that ?
Well, Never ever! There are so many amazing and talented artists in the community who are so so brilliant. I feel they should be more popular. But anyways, its great to be among such a wonderful community make such lovely friends! and hey, I dont think Im that popular. There are so many popular artists here!

Did you had to go through some very challenging task in GFX career ?
Well, I think every the beginning of every new work ( personal or client ) is a challenge. right from creating the concept to the final exeution. there are times when the strain is more , and at times it is more simpler. But I guess more than the challenge its the fact that I enjoy and love creating so much, makes the challenges look small!

How do you get your customers for some new commissions and what type of customers you get?
As you know I have a creative and design agency here. So I have been working with Brands , Corporates, Fashion designers and lifestyle companies directly. Its mostly my connections , networks , and people within my circle who contact my company for projects. Then we focus on delivering good quality work, and once the client is satisfied it is just a word of mouth which brings in new clients to us. I feel that especially in our industry in our country, you really cannot go ask for work , it is mostly people who need us professionals approach us. Me and my company specialises in branding and identity, illustration, art direction, communication and collateral design, visual/ graphic design, web development, photography, animation and more. oh communication and collateral design ( posters, print ads, and other elements)



What are your future plans ?
At the moment, My short term plans are to focus on producing quality projects, interesting ones, specialise in what we love to do and grow from there. Its more exciting that way. Each day seems a new experience and situation unfold in new areas, so I dont make much future plans.

What is your favourite piece that you ever created and why you chose this one ?
OK, A work I love. The Joy Ballad and Do feelings have taste, They both come from the true core of my heart, do feelings have taste was inspired by a moment I experience a year back or so and The joy ballad is an expeirnece that not only me, but I think we as children definately has moments of. Dreams!

What are your favourite pieces on DA, could you share them ?


And to finish it off, What would you like to say to your millions of fans out there ? And what did you think of this Interview?
Please dont say Fans. Sounds weird! all are my friends , and have been of such incredible support, have given me so much love, that I am completely speechless. its because of everyone , and their admirable support, which keeps motivating and pushing me! Thank you ! And the interview has been rocking. Very professionally done. A great mix of art, profession and dA, and, some really good questions, Thank you so much! <3 oh and I loved the music as well



And those pieces finishes today's Interview on one of the greatest person here on DA.
As you may see through these words, he is a very friendly guy, full of passion and love for his work and much more
So I think we should all give him some and some support !
And in order to do so visit him here :

And let's get and this amazingly talented person !

If you liked this article then and comments are greatly appreciated
I'm trying to beat the bar of "75 " for this article so make it happen people !!

Thank you really much for reading,
Have a lovely day,

=Sangiev