Designer Interview: Gilbert Juan
Posted: December 27th, 2011 | Tags: designer, Interview, profile, rekatee, showcaseRekaTee profile: http://www.rekatee.com/member/view-profile/GilbertJuan/
Blog / URL:
WKEClothing Page: http://www.facebook.com/wkeclothing
Personal Blog: http://propagandajamban.blogspot.com/
Q: Can you tell us a little about yourself?
A: I am a humble guy who is living in Miri, Sarawak. Currently I am taking HND in Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the ICATS. All this while I self-learn by obeserving the art of others. Now, I am managing my own clothing label at a small scale, established in 2010, which I name it WKEC or We Kill Easy Clothing.
Award:
Winner 1st // RekaTee x RC Smart
Finalist // RekaTee Eco Tee Design Competition
TOP 20 // I.Style Camera Strap Design Competition
Page 24 // Junk Magazine Issue 44
Q: What are your hobbies other than design?
A: I love skimboarding, making paper toy and print shirt. I listen to Kings of Leon and The Avett Brothers a lot.
Q: How long have you been an artist, what is your favourite project so far?
A: I honestly never see myself as an artist as the title of artist is only for someone who has a great work of art, which I think I am still far from that level. I am more of a guy who enjoys art and want to be part of it. I started with stencil art a couple years ago and I started moving towards printed shirts. Before this I make the boxes and pieces plywood as my canvas, but now I use the shirt as a canvas. RC SMART – Flying HIGH (PILOT) is one of the works that I like the most because I think I need to create design which is worthful to be rewarded.
Q: What is your biggest motivation? Achievement? Money? Fame?
A: My biggest motivation is the people around me. Their never-ending support and without each one of them I am just an ordinary guy. I am still an ordinary guy but an ordinary guy with amazing people around me. I don’t think money is my source of motivation because it can be gone. For me, achievement is a reward for your hard work, the more you want it the harder you’ll work for it. It also gives you new way to challenge yourself. Fame is nothing without supportive friends and family.
Q: Who or where did you get your inspirations from?
A: This is my favorite question. There are many people out there who are doing something really great. So, when you see someone doing something they love and how much passion they do, it gives you this amazing feeling that makes you want to do something amazing with your own way.
Q: Who’s that one idol that you are dying to collaborate with?
A: At this rate I have so much to learn and honestly collaboration scares me. I’m afraid that I’m not good enough if compare to the other designer/illustrator. But if given chance, they will be Aidi Idham (Eggbash Clothing) (Malaysia), Emilia Yusof (Malaysia), Shane Leong (Malaysia), Nicolo Nimor (Philippines), Shepard Fairey (US), Dan Mumford(UK), Keaton Henson (UK) and Ken Taylor (Australia). There are more but I don’t want to sound too greedy.
Q: What are your future plans?
A: Generally, I want to improve my skill in designing artwork and develop a strong base for my clothing label. And perhaps my own paper toy design.
Q: Any last words for the Rekazens?
A: When you love doing things that you love and you do it amazingly, bear in mind that you might inspire others to do the same. Yes you can hate but hate it for a solid reason, not because you feel like it. A friend of mine used to say “Just because 90% people hate what you do, don’t you ever dare to ignore the other 10%”. Lastly keep on supporting RekaTee and your local talents.
RekaTee Endnote: We have noticed Gilbert since the early days and like many others, we do appreciate his works. Although none of his designs were picked but he just didn’t give up. His hard work is finally being paid off as the design above has just won him the first prize of RC Smart – Design an Airplane tee competition, congrats again Gilbert!
