Interview: Mark Julian Borg, A Freelance Web/Graphic Designer
August 25th, 2010 by Tweet
I must say that I am thrilled at all of our amazing interviews in our interview series here at Admix Web, where we are publishing interviews of fellow web designers, web developers and graphic designers. We are continuing with the series and are still looking for fresh minds to pick and fresh faces to introduce to the design and development world! You can still contact me at hlamarche[at]admixweb[dot]com if you would like to be interviewed, or if you know someone who would like to be interviewed. This week we have a cool freelance web and graphic designer named Mark Julian Borg, from London and Malta, whom we would like to introduce you you all! I hope you like the interview! Enjoy!
As always, thank you so much for doing this interview for Admix Web. Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I’m Mark Julian Borg, 22 years old and was born in London, where I moved to Malta later on with my parents. I work as a freelance web/graphic designer with various companies and I study at MCAST Art and Design Institute. A MINI Driver, Tech monkey and iPhone addict.
List three things people might not know about you.
I am a perfectionist, I Love collecting odd stuff, and I am a minimalist.
Why Design/Development as a career? What were your inspirations for that profession?
Since I was a kid, I always loved designing stuff or changing how things looked. Being a designer is like a little god bringing things to life which starts on paper then to the computer. The job carries a certain satisfaction at the end of the day. Not to mention, every day, a new design is born, new people are met and it’s fun. I get inspired from a lot of things around me, mostly from video games, cartoons and my cabinet full of collectables and action figures.
Do you do more front end or back end web development?
Front end mostly. I used to do backend development but I stopped now and dedicate myself to front end design as I’m more of a creative person.
Are you self taught or did you study design/development?
Mostly self taught. What I learn today at school, I learnt it alone 6 years ago while all my friends used to go out and hang out. I am attending an art institute which I started attending this year to get certified in what I do and there’s always something new to learn. It’s always nice to learn what I like doing.
How many years have you been in the field, and how has the field changed during that time?
I started as a graphic designer when I was just 15. I worked with Phone Direct at the time which was an advertising magazine for some pocket money. I learned a lot from there and I did it mostly because I enjoyed doing it. The field changed and now 7 years later, I have to learn new tools to enhance my techniques. Some software changed too, not to mention new technologies are always coming out and need to update myself with the latest trends.
Can you describe a day in the life of you?
First thing I do is reach for my iPhone, check my mail, read rss and daily news. Take a shower to wake up and have some breakfast. I grab my MINI and drive happily off to school, waving at MINI drivers along the way and listening to music. During school, I study, sketch some design ideas in my little sketch book and do some work. After school, I go to work where I first check my internal mail, grab something to eat, drink 2 liters of juice and design for like 4 hours. After a successful day at the office, I drive back home, take my day sketches a bit further, work on some school assignment and sleep. Sometimes after work, I rest by playing video games, doing a digital painting or doing miniature models with green stuff.
What does your workspace look like?
Here you go, One is at the office and the other one is at home. I like to keep everything tidy. Very minimalist…
Would you define yourself as introverted or extroverted? Describe your personality?
I’m an extrovert. When I’m alone I feel very lonely. I’m a very cheerful person, full of energy and hyperactive. Friendly looking and always like to joke around. Always smiling and try to make my surroundings as happy as possible. I rarely go clubbing and parties but like hanging out with my friends.
What makes you unique?
I look like a 16 year old kid and I’m 22. No one believes me when I tell them how old I am.
What is your favorite color? Does it infiltrate your designs?
Brown and Green! Yes it does, when I am doing personal projects, there has to be green or brown somewhere or I won’t be happy.
What is your favorite type of design work? And, what has been your favorite project?
I really love cartoon characters, illustrative works mostly. Well, a tricky question, as I enjoy all the designing I do. Here’s a collection of promotional mailers that I enjoyed doing.
Are you a Mac or a PC?
Mac! Though I use PC too, as some software is only available on it like games for instance.
What design tools do you use? Which tools would you suggest to fellow designers/developers?
As software wise, I use Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver and Flash. Hardware, I use a Wacom Cintiq to illustrate and work on my designs as it gives me a lot of freedom and controllability than a mouse. I use some Firefox plug-ins which includes Firebug and Web designer Tools to help me code the front end designs for mailers, web interfaces and so on. The Adobe products are the top of the range which are highly professional, got big communities and online material for them and used by most companies. The best of all is a pencil and paper as all the ideas are born there.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A successful Art Director in the games or film industry.
Where do you see design, the web, and development in 10 years?
I see design to be more clean, minimalist and very to the point.
What are your thoughts on the opinion that mobile technology will replace the desktop computer?
It will surely replace desktop computers over time, especially when nano technology will become popular. I today use my iPhone more than my desktop, I use my desktop only to design in reality, everything else on my mobile. I can imagine how the world will be in the future.
What do you like to do to relax in your free time?
Doing digital paintings, sculpting miniature models, painting Warhammer models and driving my MINI.
How can people get in contact with you?
- website: www.markjborg.com
- e-mail: markjborg[at]gmail.com
- skype: markjborg
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Holly Lamarche is a writer and attorney from New Orleans, Louisiana. Holly lived in Santo Domingo for two years, where she taught at a local private High School, and she currently writes and edits part-time for AdmixWeb and lives in Lafayette, Louisiana.
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Thank you so much Holly for being a featured designer here at Admixweb. Highly appreciated
Very talented designer.
The 3D modeling images are awesome!
Thanks a lot Teylor for the complements
those are two workstations I would love to steal and have as my own!
you are good designer and i like it your site all information… but plz tell I m web designer, my total Ex.. is 3.8 year. but i will start my small bushiness of freelancer designing works so plz tell me
Hiya Vasu,
If you use skype, add me ‘markjborg’ and I’ll be happy to help you and give you some tips and tricks on how to start freelancing. Or drop me an email to markjborg[at]gmail.com
Hope to hear from you soon
Mark