"On the Couch with...", has the honor to present the fifth interview with one of the most successful Designers of our Community, João Franco aka *arpad. Let's get the party started.

First of all João, thank you for giving us this opportunity. You are probably very busy, so I will try to be quick. Tell us a little about how your life was before you became a professional designer and now, what has changed?

When I joined dA (2003) I was still in the university – Graphic Design in IADE Lisboa. I am a simple person, very sociable and affective. I used to work for an agency called Accedo but now I work alone as a freelancer, which can get very lonesome but at the same time is good because I have time to choose my projects and do what I want. I’ve given up of doing web design and other graphics since I only do corporate identity, which is what I really love doing along with typography. My recent passion is Haka, a 4 months old boxer whose company is essential. I am a man of simple taste: I like food, beach, friends and I appreciate a good laugh.

How was your first experience in Deviant Art? How did you know the Community?

Actually I was looking for a place to showcase my digital art, which was very different back then. Most of the deviants know me for my logos but I was I wasn’t yet showing my logo works when I got to dA; instead, I had a crush on grungy and dark art, with a lot of textures and eroded typography going on, thoughts put into words in a more sentimental way. I was still in the university and I was, as most of people is at that age – 20/24, somewhat confused about what I wanted to be in the near future.

Did you feel, in a certain way, that being an assiduous member of the Community you evolved at a practical level?

Absolutely. I’ll tell you more, I even skipped classes when I understood that credited people inside the community would actually give their opinions about my work. I was overwhelmed and it made me go further exploring my abilities.

Design encompasses several categories. Which category are you most comfortable with? Any reasons for those choices?

I used to do a lot of web-design and quite frankly I got bored. Not being able to see your work – I mean physically – kind of drained out my juices. So I would definitely separate it from graphics design. My favorite area of design is, without a doubt, typography.

Tell us a little about your creative processes. What are your influences?

I would say that my method is a kind of “the old school” process, I mean, I start with quick pencil sketches, and then I elaborate into something more solid. I only use the computer to sharpen up things and add that extra details that make your eyes pop. My influences are vast and diverse, from old to contemporary architects, engineers and designers; inventors, painters, sculptors, writers and musicians. Even some old farmer with a good common sense can be a great source of inspiration. That’s the great thing about art; there’s a big sky of geniality out there, you just need to find your cloud, squeeze it and make the water fall.

From all your work, have you had some that are special to you? Tell us a little about them.

The Klepht album

This was an intense project. I know all the band members and spent many hours with them trying to find a way to do something original. From the logo to the lyrics booklet, the whole thing was just crazy and it took a couple of months to finalize. At the end, I am so proud of it, it came out just the way we thought It would.

All deviants who follow your work here are aware that you started a tutorial and you didn’t finish yet. When you give us the pleasure to see completed?

This is one of my biggest not yet made and still on the ideas pocket projects. I want to build the best logo tutorial and it will be available soon – at least some previews here at dA. I’ll keep you posted soon.

Which artists can you refer to your main influences? Someone from the Community?

Paul Rand and Neville Brody as two of the best graphic designers the world as ever met, Eric Gill and Eduard Johnston as two great masterminds in the realm of typography, David Carson, LaChapelle, Tim Burton and Tolkien for their unique visions. So many in so many different areas, I can’t write all their names down because it would take ages.

The Deviants I admire are stunning artists: `CrisVector, ~TIT0, ~temabina, *angelreich, ~Rodier, =cogwurx, ~oniNON, ~vikifloki, `adonihs, ~Delicious-Daim, =russoturisto and so many others…

Who follow your work here knows that you were target of some setbacks (thieves art). How did you deal with this situation? What was your reaction when you saw your work displayed and credited by others?

The coin has two sides: being able to show your work through the web is definitely a good source of income BUT, when you get the world’s eyes to turn your way, you are exposed to all sorts of bad intentions too: copying, ripping, etc. I have had lots of these and my first reaction is always bad. Like the one with this guy, which showcased my work as his on Computer Arts 2008 February edition. The truth is, I got more work after that because either way, it is my work on those pages and I got things worked out with both the magazine and the designer at stake.

Well João, I know you are busy so, for our last question, can you give us some advice for those who are starting out in this profession?

The good thing about being a newbie in graphics design is that you have much time to perfect your skills, sharpen up your pencil sketching ability and master the creative flow. What I think you should do is get a good education - this is VERY important. Rather than being a computer geek, like some people think: it doesn't make you a graphics designer just because you are savvy with software – and never give up on curiosity: you need to be obsessed with what you do. I have studied for like almost 10 years to come to this stage – I still feel that I need to evolve. Do what kids do at your age: play soccer, go outside and get dirty. Believe me, that will keep your "inner child" alive for enough years to make it last forever. I am what I am and I do what I do because I had an awesome childhood. I always drew a lot, kept my graphic diaries with me since ever. Sketch a lot, read magazines like CMYK, Print, Wallpaper or even Computer Arts. You need to stay on the higher tip of the wave for visual information. Get interested on other areas like music, cinema and arts in general, pay attention to everything. This will be your backpack for endless creativity. Always be confident about your work BUT see it from this angle: people like it, yes and that is good. But you don't, there is always something that you can perfect. Be perfectionist and believe in your guts, you'll learn to use your skills accordingly to the situation at stake. Again… education is the hardest option BUT the best in your path. Don't use shortcuts, get instructed. I don’t and I will not trust crash courses. Do you know why I am one of the best freelancer logo designers in the world? Because I am obsessed with my work, my work is my life and details are everything. More, I'll say this to you secretly, I am the best because I believe I am but I always look humbly to new projects. Don't think you are, KNOW you are – Morpheus, Matrix I.

One thing about software, believe me:
I've learn to use graphics software when I was 19/20. Your best weapon is your pencil; the computer is only an extension of your genius, a tool of the trade. It doesn't get work done from scratch, it just lets you finish it earlier AND present in a better way. Using software might obstruct your ability to think outside of the box, never forget this and you will be great.

Thanks João for your kindness and availability and being on the couch with us.

“On the Couch with…” had the honor to present you the fifth interview with João Franco. We hope this project continues and does not end here. We are open to new suggestions and proposals to give continuity to the project.

Thanks for everyone who read it and a very special thanks to *arpad