Interview with Michael Cina

Hello! Thanks that you found time for us. Our first question if very basic, please tell us about your career, how it was started, and what do you do now.
I have always been active in the arts from elementary school, high school and also college. I originally started my career for a degree in advertising because I knew you could not make much money as an artist. Half way through college, I learned about Graphic Design and changed majors the next semester. It is hard to describe what I do now. My whole career was guided twords doing work that I wanted to do and that is what I have always pursued. I never wanted to work at a big advertising agency, so I avoided them by working for less money by freelancing or working at a non-profit. My work is mainly focused around art and typography. My main job is running YouWorkForThem in America witch involves many things, mostly running a company. A large part of my job lately has been working with typeface designers in many ways. I do a small amount of client work through YWFT including custom typeface work and logos as well. I am also always working on a font or ten on the side for YWFT. In my spare time I have been drawing, painting, spending time with family, writing, working on my house and buying records.

What are your current projects and what are the upcoming ones?
I am working on a logo for a sound capturing company, working on a custom typeface for EA Games, working on another typeface for Paul Pope through YWFT. I just finished a poster for the Omega Code. I am always working on some typefaces, a lot of my work has been going into helping and teaching Travis Stearns and others make typefaces instead of working on my own. A lot of my day is spent running YWFT though and not doing projects such as these. Ghostly International sends me over records now and then that I do in my spare time. I treat them as personal work and it seems to be going well.

Maybe you think it was better to work 5 years before than now? Why?
There are things that are better and things that are worse. 5 years ago you didn't have every kid that owns a computer saying that they are designers. But there are also some new amazing people doing work now. I prefer work from the 50-70's because there was substance to the work. Personally, I was doing more client work 5 years ago and there is something to be said for that. I like working for people who are like-minded, but that rarely happens. I enjoy doing the work I am now.

Micheal Young moved to Thailand, maybe you have also something like that In mind? Moving to somewhere?
I am not planning on moving anywhere. I would like to live in Spain for a couple of years but it is not in my near future. I enjoy Minneapolis.

What do you prefer to do better, web, graphics, photography? Why?
I enjoy art and typographic works the best. I am not really an illustrator or a photographer by trade and I don't like working on websites. I do some illustration and photography but it is just as a hobby.

Do you still enjoy working on commercial projects or something it's just a "job" you know what I mean?
It is always a job but I enjoy working on client based projects when it goes good. That is something that design is, it is working for a client and that is where it is different than art is. You produce work for someone and if the project goes well it is wonderful, if it goes bad, it is horrible. Sometime you will get a client that thinks that because you are working on something cool that is somehow more exciting for you, and it can be, but it is still a job. I have done great things for uncool companies and very bland work for companies (they think it is great) that think they are the coolest thing on earth. In the end, it is how well you do the job, nomatter who it is for. There is also a joy when you do a job that fits the company so it is functional for them. Designers often become self-indulged with themselves and their work to where they think if they design the latest and greatest look that is somehow a success, when it could do horribly for the client.

Do you have moments, when you are really tired of designing and you have no inspiration? How do you recover?
Yes, I think everyone goes through dry spells but it is all about finding out what interests you and trying to do it however you can. I enjoy doing personal work but I have little time for it, so I find a way to become interested in the things that I am doing like typefaces or logos. Reading helps a lot, I try and read something every night before I go to bed.

How do you see web design in next 10 years?
I see more and more it moving to applications that pull information down, almost like a server. So lets say I wanted to go to youworkforthem.com, I would be able to enter that site in and it would operate like an application or I could use it to give me information when I wanted it or on updates. So lets say we made a new font, you would be notified that we are selling a new font and you could find out more information about that. I see browsers changing to become more time-based, not navigation based. I also see information like your name, password, etc becoming more like a big ???center??? that you operate. So let???s say you wanted to sign up for Facebook... all your information would be right there and put into that site.

Did you ever though about to quit the design career? Why?
The nature of design is for companies to use designers to make them look however they want or say something that they are not. It is a very powerful communication tool that people use irresponsibly and sophomorically. Look at ffffound.com for examples. That isn???t to say its all bad, but most of it is just childish and uninspired. It makes me think that maybe it would be better to do things with my time like serve people who need real help. I can see a point in my career where I will do that, but it is not now.

What was the best and worst of your projects? Could you explain?
It is hard to judge that and I don't think I really can. Some of my best projects were probably ugly but somehow worked very well to serve it's purpose.

Did you ever think to start a design agency, with office and people employed? Do you think it's a better to work in the office, or from home?
I already do that basically, at one time I had 4 people working in my office.
I think it is better to work in an office now... if you would have asked me 3 years ago I would have said home. My friend???s dad had an office in his back yard that was not attached to his house. I think that would be the best!