Interview with a DPS Survivor

Images by Omar Andres Hernandez




​Interview by Ekaterina Koroleva (BA Illustration and Visual Media)

 
I interviewed one of the former DPS Students, and current IVM Year 3 Omar Andres Hernandez about his DPS year (2017\18).
 
 
Me: Can you summarize in 5 words what you've learned during the DPS year?
O: To be consistent with everything
Me: What were 3 mistakes you made this year?
O: One. I only really freelance and didn’t try hard enough to work for an actual company during the early stages of DPS.
Two. I found myself being counterproductive since I had a lot more time to myself.
Three. Fear was a big thing, it stopped me from seeking out opportunities, for example fear of rejection, fear of disappointment, fear on not spending time with love ones because of work. although it’s an emotion and sometimes hard to control, fear has to be eradicated because it is irrational.

Me: Name a cool person you met while networking and how did they help you?
O: I met a girl called Karoline from Norway who I met during an event hosted by PopUp x Nobrow. We got along instantly since we wanted to know different people within the creative industry, and understand the importance of networking internationally. We share competitions and opportunities with each other all the time.
Me: Do you think having a style is important for an illustrator? Or is it good to be versatile in the ways you draw?
O: It’s good to have one strong style but personally think it’s good to be varied since different methods of illustration work well with particular styles.
 Me: Is everything going digital these days? Can a traditional media illustrator still survive on the modern market? How?
O: Digital illustrations are needed since everything is digital today. As the digital medium is the most common platform to distribute and communicate work, traditional forms of artwork become niche which as equally as valuable. I do believe a traditional illustrator can survive in the market, the illustrator however needs to adapt to the changing times and use the digital to assist in work, for example a traditional etching is made and unique to the design and technique, however to distribute this work the work most go digital unless it’s a one off.
Me: Some tips and tricks on marketing yourself on social media?
O: No tricks yet. I’m still trying to figure it out
Me: Is the DPS experience helping you in year 3 of your degree?
O: DPS has helped me a lot with not only within industry experience but also my growth as an artist, playing and experimenting with techniques that then form a foundation of my art process. I have a better understanding of what is important.


If you want to see more of Omar’s work, head over to his Instagram

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