Brian Gossett

Hello Brian! Nice to meet you here. Please, a little story about you, how did you start to design and what turned you into that? Inspiration?
Thanks, likewise. Well, as far back as I can remember I always doodled and created things. I used to draw for hours even when I was like 4 years old. I continued to do that all the way through college as I was initially going to school for illustration. I had a friend who talked me into taking a graphic design course and the rest is history. As far as inspiration goes, I am really into a wide variety of things from classic painting to fantasy art. From cinema to saturday morning cartoons… pretty much a cornucopia of imagery.

By looking at your web site, there are motion graphics, web and illustrations. What do you like to do best and why?
I really have no favorite so to speak. I am drawn more to motion graphics just because it seems the most limitless for possibilities. But for me, taking an idea bringing an idea to life whatever the medium may be is what keeps me going.

Speaking about the time and proccess, how much time the web site design ussualy takes? And what about inspiration, what would you do if you our of it.
Well, it depends on the scope of the site. The Nicktoons Animation Film Festival site took a little longer than a movie site usually takes because I had to create every asset myself from scratch. Pretty much, with a couple exceptions, every image on that site I had to illustrate myself. And our interactive team at Exopolis is amazing. We had to scale it back a bit, but for the most part we are very happy with how it turned out and the response on it has been great. The inspiration for that site came from my obsession with video games, there are so many references to games in that site… some that I had to take off just so it didn't seem like a video game site. As far as running out of inspiration, when I get dry I usually step back from the project and hit my sketch book or immerse myself in something else that is either related or completely unrelated to the project to help spark some ideas.

Did you ever have such situations, when you are very inspired, about to make something, but you are out of software knowledge, how do you solve it?
Well, I am lucky and have animators and programmers to back up my crazy ideas. But I am enrolled in an animation class at the Art Center and start next week, so I am going to start flexing my animation chops very soon. If I ever get stumped or can't figure out how to make my idea come to life I usually brainstorm with people I work with and feed off of their ideas. I like to work in a very creative and team oriented environment. It really steps everything up to a new level.

So, working in office is very important for you? What difference you can finde between working directly from home, or office?
Well, I am still working on projects at home too. I am working on a series of snowboards for Rome and that has been going great. But being in Los Angeles, it is easier to get involved on big projects if you are at a studio because the big Ad Agencies usually approach the studios for the big jobs.

If i would be a newbie, what would you suggest me? How to start my career and first steps into design?
Well, talent is a hot commodity. And if you have a natural talent then you just need experience. You have to get a start somewhere. I payed my dues in Houston taking on a ton of small freelance jobs and worked at a studio there for about a year. It is also about networking and getting your foot in the door. For me, it was all about timing. So my advice would be to have patience, continue to learn as much as you can and be as ambitious as you can.

Do you design for your own? I mean something just for your souls, not commercials. What is the difference between commercials and stuff you do for yourself, btw?
Oh, definitely. I am doing a series of self initiated illustrations inspired by jazz music. I love Jazz music, and I love the art of Reid Miles, he is one of my biggest inspirations for sure. I have one of the first illustrations on my site now, and there will be more in the future.

Do you do such jobs when you are in fight with client, so it's more about money… Kinf of things that you are not going to include to your site.
No, I would only take a job if I saw it as something that was going to be fun and beneficial to my state of mind. Usually if I am approached with something I am not interested in, I am polite and professional about it without burning a bridge or whatever. For me, it's not about the money, it's about the creativity behind the project.

And you always worked like that? Two and three years ago? Never took dirty jobs?
Most of the early work I did was with restaurants, musicians, or clubs back in Houston. I was lucky and got to do a lot of fun things with those clients. I never took a dirty job, I have always felt the need to keep my own integrity. I am not saying this would work for everyone, but it worked for me.

Are you satisfied now with what you have? What are the goals for future? Maybe your own studio?
Absolutely. Things have been great for me and I am very thankful with where I am at and where I am going. I try to take it all day by day for the most part. My goals for the future are to learn more 3D, and to continue to get involved with exciting projects and surround myself with amazingly talented people. I would like to eventually have a studio of my own, but who knows… you have to compromise a little of creativity in order to run a business so that would be way in the future.

Maybe you have some friends/designers or just designers, who make the best things on the net in your opinion? If yes, then who are they?
Well, some of my good friends are Gabe Rubin, Justin Blythe, Matt Morgan, Brien Holman, Jorge Calleja, Aaron Frebowitz, Bill Sneed, Bradley Grosh, Jayson Whitmore, David Estis, John Mastri, and Christian Ayotte to name a few. These are guys I have worked with and completely respect and admire.

So you think, communication between designers is very important thing? Right?
Not just designers, but animators, producers, clients, directors, just everyone in general. Communication is key in the entire production.

Well, enough about job! Tell us, how do you rest, what do you do when you are not in the fron of computer!
Well, I spend time with my girlfriend. We are pretty chill, we like to go to the beach and watch our favorite shows. I am also a pretty big gamer, I am huge into Halo 2. I like a bunch of blue collar sports like bowling, shuffle board, ping pong, poker, and pool. I am pretty competitive so I get pretty obsessed with things.

Well, thats all! Any final comments?
Thanks everyone for all the kind words, support and encouragement. I could have never done any of it without my friends and family. I love and miss all of you. Thanks for spending some time with me on this interview. Peace.