Congratulations to Chris Hildenbrand, the winner of the Inkscape 1.2 About Display Contest, held this yr, 2022.
We not too long ago caught up with Chris to ask a couple of questions on himself and his use of Inkscape.
Inkscape: Please introduce your self to the Inkscape Neighborhood. 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 ‘previous man’ to recollect one thing that way back is an enormous ask. It could have been about 12 years in the past (perhaps extra). I used to be on the lookout for an alternative choice to the fairly costly vector design instruments for easy step-by-step tutorials educating programmers recreation artwork. The preliminary tutorials have 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 circulation? In that 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 tender 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 finally 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 jot down and file movies for it. Currently I’ve switched to Affinity Designer. The UI and power set works very well with my workflow of vector shapes with clean shading, tender blurs, clear gradients, and much and many clipping masks. I’m continuously 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 subject. 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 offer it a strive myself this time round.
Inkscape: How did you give you the thought in your profitable design on this yr’s, “1.2 About Display Contest”?
Chris: As with most of my designs, I simply began placing some circles on the display to see what occurs and earlier than I knew it, I had had approach 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. So I attempted once more with a unique method specializing in the textual content. One of many font decisions 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 remainder was extra enjoyable, extra particulars, extra layers, and much more clipping masks. 🙂
Inkscape: Which function or bug repair of the upcoming model are you trying ahead to essentially the most?
Chris: The brand new layers / objects panel is one thing I actually sit up for. I wish to construction my recordsdata and the layers. It would break the circulation somewhat at occasions however I attempt to hold separate layers for my design parts. I wish to mess around with the patterns and see what’s doable and the export dialog and the power to export a number of parts directly could be a superior assist to my work with recreation belongings.
Inkscape: When you might wave a magic wand, what one factor would you wish to see in Inkscape (that isn’t CMYK), and why?
Chris: It could be both a UI overhaul (some UI/ UX decisions are ‘distinctive’, though the brand new model seems to be promising), or an improved clipping group setup, with an easier drag and drop, or, copy inside a clipping masks (it nonetheless appears like a hit and miss, at occasions).
Inkscape: What could be your greatest recommendation to anybody wanting to make use of Inkscape in a inventive approach?
Chris: Go for it… Don’t be scared. Professionals utilizing different instruments would possibly create intimidating designs of their tutorials and movies however rather a lot may be achieved in Inkscape. It is perhaps a unique method however typically that results in attention-grabbing new choices. Have enjoyable and discover the probabilities and set your self achievable objectives to maintain the enjoyable alive.
Inkscape: Lastly, the place can individuals discover you on-line and/or on social media?
Chris: I do write my weblog (even when it has been somewhat uncared for recently resulting from ongoing well being points) at https://2dgameartguru.com and publish on my YouTube channel.
A BIG thanks to Chris Hildenbrand, for answering our questions, and for being a improbable member of the Inkscape Neighborhood.
As soon as once more, congratulations on profitable the 1.2 About Display Contest in 2022!
To the remainder of the Neighborhood:
Keep in mind, everytime you draw, and no matter you draw…
Draw Freely.
The interview was performed by Inkscape Contributor Tim Jones.
