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EDUARDO SAN GIL INTERVIEW

This week we are joined by graphic designer Eduardo San Gil. Eduardo has a knack of combining two things that mesh so well that many times you can’t help but think, “why didn’t I think of that.” Because of their popularity, his designs have earned him quite a reputation on many of the shirt sites. If you’ve ever visited TeeFury, Threadless, Captain KYSO, or La Fraise, you’ve seen Eduardo’s work.

We are especially grateful for Eduarado taking the time to interview with us because, since he doesn’t speak English, he recruited a friend to translate all the questions and answers for him. Talk about commitment! 

Tell us about yourself. Where are you from? Where do you live now?
Spain, that’s why I suck at English. Specifically from the island of Tenerife. I share nationality with Richard Alpert, Lost’s character. (In fiction, of course).

What is your day job? How long have you been doing that?
I work as a graphic designer, in a small company, for about 7 years. 

How long have you been designing/illustrating? What got you interested in art?
I was the classic kid who used to draw monsters, death, and general destruction along the all day. Sweet childhood!

Who/what influences your art? Is there a particular person’s style that has influenced you?
I´m influenced by the humor of Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin. Oh! and also I like Monty Python!

How would you describe your style?
Generally comedy, and a bit geeky.

What medium do you typically use when creating art?
First I make a sketch on paper, I scan it and then I vectorize it with some program like the Corel Draw.

What is your approach when creating new illustrations? Do you plan out the illustration ahead of time or do you just start drawing and let the experience guide you?
It takes me longer to think about the ideas than to make the drawing itself. Then I scribble Ideas that I stick on a cardboard sign in my room. Filled with notes, it looks like I was planning an assault on a bank. If after several days they [ideas] still like me, I do a more detailed drawing and I work it with the computer.

Has video game art, concept art, or fan art influenced you at all?
The era of the 8 bits mainly… the games I grew up with (yes, I’m old, very old… sniff).

Tell us about your current projects. What are you working on? Any upcoming art shows?
I’m working on a design where I combine the story of the three little pigs with the games of 8 bits (oh my god, what’s happening to me!).

Are you an avid gamer? If so, what are you currently playing?
Sure, in fact as I respond to the interview, I’m killing a dragon with my legendary sword Kusanagi.

If you could be any video game character who would it be? Why?
I would like to be Scorpion from Mortal Kombat because ninjas that are also zombies and spit fire are cool, and also because with his sting I could stop distance taxis.

What do you do for fun?
TV, series, movies, books, video games… So on the same day I can read Game of Thrones, watch the series, and play the video game (and also I have friends, I swear).

If there’s one thing that you want people to know about you, what would that be?
Why do you make me answer so many questions? Who sent you?!

CONTACT INFORMATION
If you want to see Eduarado’s latest projects, like that incredible 3 Little Pigs/8bit mashup he was talking about, follow him on Flickr.