James Wignall Interview

Chapter XXXI: Freestyle III

  Posted by Justin Maller  \  - @justinmaller   - justinmaller.com — on September 10, 2007

Justin Maller (ekud)

Tell us a little something about James W.

James Wignall (jamesw)

I'm 25, live / work in central London, I enjoy reading, movies and have a good sense of humour. If I seem like the right guy for you, give me a call! I can also wiggle my fingers and make them look all liquidy!

Justin Maller

Where exactly did Mutant Hands (www.mutanthands.com) come from?

James Wignall (jamesw)

I just wanted something fun and full of personality! I went through loads of alternatives before settling on that one. Plus it has really nice curvy bouncy forms with the m,u,a,n.etc!

Justin Maller

How long have you been in this game? How'd you get your start?

James Wignall (jamesw)

I've always been interested in the more arty side of things. I remember messing around in a version of Paint for DOS when I was really young. I got a demo version some early version of Painshop when I was around 14 or so. Started messing around in that, which lead to photoshop. Mainly just making mutant versions of my friends. Didn't think of it much more than something to pass the time. Got more into design at College, when people like tDR were coming into the lime light a lot (especially with the launch of Wipeout). Started just trying to get ideas out of my head whilst I was at Uni then things spiraled from there!

Justin Maller

How long have you been playing in aftereffects?

James Wignall (jamesw)

We started learning really basic After Effects in my second year of University. So I guess from there really. I'd previously used Flash to animate a few little things, so I found it quite similar, keyframe, timeline.etc I think that was around 6 years ago now.

Justin Maller

Do you sketch / draw just for fun?

James Wignall (jamesw)

Yep of course, I've always got a sketch pad by my side. I normally sketch my ideas out before going into making them, both illustration and animation.

Justin Maller

You seem to produce very little personal work these days. Why is that?

James Wignall (jamesw)

It's just finding time to be honest. I love working on my own ideas with total freedom, but there are only so many hours in a day!

Justin Maller

What's the inspiration for the characters you create and animate?
Are you attached to any one in particular?

James Wignall (jamesw)

I'm surrounded by loads of really talented people so I normally draw from them, and of course the various portal websites such as pixelsurgeon, ntmy.org.etc

Justin Maller

When you were a child, did you draw a lot? Have you always been creative?

James Wignall (jamesw)

I used to draw a lot of silly cartoons with my friends! When I was still at primary school I drew a picture of Sonic the Hedgehog which I was mega proud of. I stayed up really late (about 10pm, I was only young though), to get it looking good. Then I was showing my friends when this kid (his name was Karl), grabbed it and scrunched it up. I managed to unravel it, but I was crying inside! I think I still have it somewhere.

Justin Maller

Where are you in five years?

James Wignall (jamesw)

I'm trying to head in a more Directorial roll. As for where I'm not sure. Here or NY I'd imagin, although I love the idea of living in Reykjavik for a while, just not sure how I'd support myself!

Justin Maller

If you could be doing anything for a job, what would it be?

James Wignall (jamesw)

What I'm doing now, everyday I feel privileged. If you love what you do, you never really work a day.

Justin Maller

Who are the top three people currently producing digital art?

James Wignall (jamesw)

I don't like picking people as there is just too much talent out there. Obviously loads of great people here at dC who are making great names for themselves, my friends at mainframe, man vs machine, dstrukt, wyld stallyons, loyalkasper, buck, chiho aoshima. It's too hard to pick!

Justin Maller

Who would you most like to collaborate with?

James Wignall (jamesw)

Toughy, all of the above! :)
I think a project with Rob Chui & Chris Hewitt could be pretty special.
All of the lads & lasses here of course. Would be nice to do an illustration or something with Jing / Mazakii.

Justin Maller

What is your all time favourite piece of depthCORE artwork?

James Wignall (jamesw)

Just one? I was going to pick some old school stuff, but I really love Inner city front by beaucoupzero & nrb. Really nice illustration style and colours!

Justin Maller

Under which circumstances did you join dC?

James Wignall (jamesw)

Justin was being a sex pest, and I thought I gain some useful feedback, as well as offer help in my areas of expertise.

Justin Maller (ekud)

Guess it's time for the dirty dozen once again!

Do you miss hanging out with Pete now he;s back in Devon? Tell us a story about that.

James Wignall (jamesw)

A little, but I've moved on and am seeing some one else now! :)
The story usually went like;
Hi Pete, Hi James, beer consumpsion, bit of dancing, next morning! Good times!

Justin Maller

What's your favourite hat?

James Wignall (jamesw)

I got a great hat from Iceland, it's like a tea cosy and it's mega snug!

Justin Maller

Are you good looking? Explain.

James Wignall (jamesw)

I'm just me, weather or not you think I'm good looking or not is another matter!

Justin Maller

What are your homepages?

James Wignall (jamesw)

http://www.mutanthands.com

Justin Maller

Beatles or Elvis?

James Wignall (jamesw)

Hail to the king, baby.

Justin Maller

Glass half empty or glass half full?

James Wignall (jamesw)

Is it a beer glass?

Justin Maller

When did it click in your mind that you wanted to pursue a career in graphic design/motion? Any huge influences along the way?

James Wignall (jamesw)

I've always been interested in that side of things, but I never really though of it as a career. my degree was all science based as it was a BSc, but once I graduated my friend said I should try and get this job at a studio based in Leeds. I showed up feeling really really ill, and it's pretty damn rare for me to get ill (touch wood)! So I turned up and I couldn't even talk, I tried my best but I could only muster a coughy kind of whisper at best. All went okay, nice people and was good to check out a real working studio, went home didn't really think much of is seen as the rest of the candidates could probably talk. a few weeks later I got a call telling my I had the job. I think this was really the turning point in my career, the lucky break. Best thing was is that I gave whatever illness I had onto the creative director at the time, and he then went on and passed it through his family! (Sorry Pepps)

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