Interview with digital artist Jurryt Visser

Jurryt Visser is a 21 years old artist from Netherlands who values originality and individuality. He has found a way to harmoniously blend vectors with pictures, obtaining unique, stunning results and will share some of his experience in this article.

What was your starting point as a graphic designer and digital artist for your career?

Actually, since I started my education. It was in 2005 I gained a lot of interest in Graphic Design and arts. I had 1 or 2 really inspiring teachers who were willing to help me out during that period. In 2006, I was 17; I officially started my own graphic design studio. Of course it wasn’t anything professional since I didn’t know how to network or being an entrepreneur. I basically did only digital arts. Last year, 2009, I re-started JURRYT VISSER official again and am active all around the globe with graphic, web design, conceptual and digital arts. It needed it’s time, but it’s never too late. Well prepared is better than not prepared.

What school did you attend to in order to learn more about graphic design?

As I said, in 2005 I started my education “Grafimedia” at the ROC Friesepoort Drachten. It was especially in the first year I gained a lot of interest in graphic design and arts. During my third and final year, I basically never went to school because I was doing “my own thing”. I did get my grade though. After I finished in 2009, I did think about doing university, but I thought it would be a waste of my time and money. I wanted (and want) to explore myself and the world. Up to now, I have never regretted it.

You’ve surely worked on several projects so far. What would be the most relevant ones?

My very first “big” assignment was to organize the open day for my school. Since then, I even gained more interest and did a lot of free work as well. I think my very first work “Jurryt” or “portrait”, is one of my very dearest. It combines the whole concept quite perfectly. Aside digital arts, I’m very curious in seeing this current project getting launched. It will be something really big. All digital artists and graphic designers can connect with each other in quite a unique way. I’m working on this with Aiden Kolh, I cannot tell the public anything more, but keep an eye open!

Can you name 3 designs from your portfolio you like the most?

Personally I can enjoy “Soul”, “Crisis” and “Falling”. Both Soul and Crisis were done for the artgroup “SlashTHREE”. Falling isn’t something really special, but technically seen, to me, it seems all to fit. Aside that, digital works like “Reality”, “Your Youth” and “The Joker” seem to be quite popular among the people.

Our readers would love to know what hardware and software you use to create your designs?

From this week on: iMac 27” and can’t wait for the release of the new MacBook Pro’s. I will travel to Asia for several years to network and work as well. I need something good and prefer an Apple. It’s more stable than a PC. Many of my works I did on a PC though. 24” Acer G24 (Before 17” laptop – HP Dv8300), 4 GB RAM, Core 2 Duo E8400 and several Hard discs.

What  things inspire you? Can you name a few websites you use for inspiration?

Everything does. But lately, “the world” does. The nature. The society and capitalism which is really “out of place” these days. Aside that, just enjoy the world. Also the motivation to go to Asia and going business inspires me a lot. And about websites? Try out Behance, SlashTHREE, Depthcore and ofcourse DeviantArt (Oh, and is Google a website too? (: )

When you began your journey as a designer you probably had a few role models. Would you name two of your favorite artists?

I never saw the reason to adore 1 designer or artist in particular. I liked and still love many different works by different artists. I tried to never look up for artists. If you compare yourself with them, you will always loose. Just adore other peoples work and try to create something unique yourself. Like that, no one can say you are a “wannabe”. Just to name some great people who did inspire me, just how they reached whatever they want; Anton Corbijn, Armani, Bono.

Designing has its ups and downs, what is the most difficult problem you ever faced as a designer?

With digital arts it’s always a shame you have lack of inspiration, and other times too much inspiration which lacks quality. Having your own business does have bigger ups and downs. Stressing, juridical procedures, economics. You need to know everything. Eventually, I can only say that the down parts bring me higher each time it happens.

Looking a bit into the future, how do you think people will look at your designs in four years from now?

I really hope I can inspire people with my designs. I always try to balance black and white vs color, reality vs fiction, pixels vs vectors, life vs death. It’s funny to see how more and more artists as well as companies are taking over these “balancing” ideas with photos and vectors. It gives me quite a kick. I just hope companies as well as people respect me as literary this guy “who went all over the world with his work”.

What advice would you give to the newbie designers?

If you think you are good: You are not. If you think you stumbled upon a blockade, you are going into the right direction. Try to be unique, don’t copy others!

What do you think your greatest achievement is so far?

Reaching my companies goal within 9 months. Which is getting the network, money and feedback to start my “few years trip” to Asia. If I succeed there, we will speak again and I can say: “This is my greatest personal achievement so far”. Other than that, I am kind of amazed to get more and more interviews and people respect my work. For now, that definitely is my greatest achievement ever.

How much free time you have in a week and how do you usually spend that?

I have an 80 hour work week. I work at a company as Creative Director and aside that I have my own international business. The spare time I have, I fill in with family, friends or just enjoying 1 cold beer in front of the telly, on the terrace or just being outside. At the moment I’m living my business, but eventually, I will live my life.

What is your favorite PC game and how many hours you spend playing it?

When I was younger I played a lot Medal of Honor: Allied Assault. After a few years it was Counter Strike: Source, but at the moment I don’t have the time to play! If I play games, they are games like: Plants vs. Zombies (Oh, you really should try it out!)

I really liked this design. What was your drive to create it?

Thank you. It was my first submission for SlashTHREE. The theme was “order vs chaos”. I tried to show people there should be a balance, but even without balance you can be happy. How sad the begger is, he is still there to live. Everyone is ignoring him, walking by. We should stop walking and just look back for a while.

For a side note, please keep an eye out for this new project. You can follow him on Twitter for more updates:

on Twitter

On his website

On Behance.net

On DeviantART