Congratulations to Chris Hildenbrand, the winner of the Inkscape 1.2 About Display Contest, held this 12 months, 2022.
We lately caught up with Chris to ask just a few questions on himself and his use of Inkscape.
Inkscape: Please introduce your self to the Inkscape Group. Who’s Chris and the place on this planet do you reside?
Chris Hildenbrand (Chris): I grew up in Germany however was fortunate sufficient to finish up in tropical far North Queensland in Australia. I’m calling Cairns dwelling now – the place the reef meets the rain-forest.
Inkscape: When did you first uncover Inkscape? Please clarify the way you got here to make use of Inkscape.
Chris: Anticipating an ‘outdated man’ to recollect one thing that way back is an enormous ask. It might have been about 12 years in the past (perhaps extra). I used to be searching for an alternative choice to the somewhat costly vector design instruments for easy step-by-step tutorials instructing programmers sport artwork. The preliminary tutorials had been geared on the ‘I can’t draw a stick man’-crowd and the method to ‘construct’ their artwork and belongings for his or her video games utilizing easy shapes.
Inkscape: Do you utilize Inkscape solely, or do you utilize different software program in your work circulate? If that’s the case, which software program and why is that?
Chris: As a lot as I might say Inkscape is the ‘one and solely’ device for me, the reality is, it’s one of many many applications in ‘my toolbox’. I began out doing pixel artwork on my first pc again within the 80s and I nonetheless have a comfortable spot for good pixel artwork. Again then I used DeluxePaint on the Commodore Amiga. Now it’s a large spectrum of instruments for various points of pixel artwork. I began vector design utilizing CorelDraw for print materials and caught with it for many years earlier than ultimately including Adobe Illustrator to permit simpler workflow with groups and printers.
Then Inkscape got here into the combination and I benefit from the free and open supply method and love to put in writing and report movies for it. These days I’ve switched to Affinity Designer. The UI and gear set works rather well with my workflow of vector shapes with clean shading, comfortable blurs, clear gradients, and much and plenty of clipping masks. I’m ceaselessly testing new instruments and apps to see what’s on the market an continue to learn new approaches. It’s a part of the enjoyable of working on this discipline. Studying by no means stops.
Inkscape: What motivated you to participate within the About Display Contest?
Chris: I missed the final contest. When Ozant Liuky, the final winner, talked about studying a few of his Inkscape abilities from my tutorials, I made a decision to present it a attempt myself this time round.
Inkscape: How did you provide you with the concept in your profitable design on this 12 months’s, “1.2 About Display Contest”?
Chris: As with most of my designs, I simply began placing some circles on the display screen to see what occurs and earlier than I knew it, I had had manner an excessive amount of enjoyable. The preliminary design of a monster was extra about me having enjoyable however much less appropriate for an about display screen. So I attempted once more with a unique method specializing in the textual content. One of many font selections was a tough lower and the numbers appeared a bit like a rock face. Rock, island, and palm bushes went collectively properly. The brand new model as a vacation spot for concepts or flying little robots. The remaining was extra enjoyable, extra particulars, extra layers, and much more clipping masks. 🙂
Inkscape: Which function or bug repair of the upcoming model are you wanting ahead to essentially the most?
Chris: The brand new layers / objects panel is one thing I actually stay up for. I wish to construction my information and the layers. It would break the circulate a bit at occasions however I attempt to hold separate layers for my design components. I wish to mess around with the patterns and see what’s doable and the export dialog and the flexibility to export a number of components without delay can be a superior assist to my work with sport belongings.
Inkscape: Should you might wave a magic wand, what one factor would you wish to see in Inkscape (that isn’t CMYK), and why?
Chris: It might be both a UI overhaul (some UI/ UX selections are ‘distinctive’, regardless that the brand new model appears to be like promising), or an improved clipping group setup, with a less complicated drag and drop, or, copy inside a clipping masks (it nonetheless appears like a hit and miss, at occasions).
Inkscape: What can be your finest recommendation to anybody wanting to make use of Inkscape in a inventive manner?
Chris: Go for it… Don’t be scared. Professionals utilizing different instruments may create intimidating designs of their tutorials and movies however rather a lot could be achieved in Inkscape. It may be a unique method however generally that results in attention-grabbing new choices. Have enjoyable and discover the probabilities and set your self achievable targets to maintain the enjoyable alive.
Inkscape: Lastly, the place can folks discover you on-line and/or on social media?
Chris: I do write my weblog (even when it has been a bit uncared for these days as a consequence of ongoing well being points) at https://2dgameartguru.com and put up on my YouTube channel.
A BIG thanks to Chris Hildenbrand, for answering our questions, and for being a unbelievable member of the Inkscape Group.
As soon as once more, congratulations on profitable the 1.2 About Display Contest in 2022!
To the remainder of the Group:
Bear in mind, everytime you draw, and no matter you draw…
Draw Freely.
The interview was performed by Inkscape Contributor Tim Jones.
