- Published on
Q&A with Andrew Rae
Hello I'm Andrew Rae I'm an illustrator, cartoonist, graphic novelist, musician, occasional half hearted animator, one tenth of the illustration collective Peepshow and one quarter of the band Owen and the Eyeballs.
What inspired you to become a designer?
One of my teachers at school told me I shouldn't chose both art and music so I went and did them anyway and now those are things that I spend all my time doing and how I make my living. Being told not to made me fight for it, or maybe I was just being contrary.
What design software do you use?
Photoshop, I try not to use illustrator but don't always succeed.
What is your ideal work environment?
My home studio as it has a window to look out, a heath near by to walk on, the kitchen next door to make coffee and food in and it houses my books, pens, computer, drawing board, sketchbooks, guitars, keyboards and piano. I love being able to take a break and play my guitar or piano, although this makes it harder to share a studio with other people who tend to find this irritating so I need to make sure I get out regularly in the evenings to see or play music with friends and go to music or comedy gigs otherwise I'd get cabin fever and go mad.
Where does your design inspiration come from?
I read and listen to podcasts like 99% invisible and I go to the Everyman cinemas a lot and go walking or running on the heath or in London. Inspiration can come at the weirdest times so I constantly keep notes in my iphone and I keep sketch books so whenever I need an idea I have somewhere to look.
Who is the person you admire most?
There are plenty of people I admire here's a list of people that come to mind at the moment: Chris Ware (who made me want to write a graphic Novel), David Mazzuuchelli, Basil Wolverton, Spike Milligan, Reeves and Mortimer, Tony Law, the other members of Owen and the Eyeballs Nick White, Jim Stoten and Owen Gildersleeve and my wife Chrissie Macdonald.
